Israel Warns U.N. on Fedayeen Attacks; Says They Endanger Peace

Israel today warned the United Nations that the continuing attacks inside Israel by Egyptian-trained fedayeen commandos “will have the most serious implications for the peace and security of the area” if they are allowed to continue unchecked.

The warning was made in a communication from Abba Eban, head of Israel’s delegation here to Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold. It was the third communication on the subject written by Mr. Eban, other communications on this matter having been addressed to Mr. Hammarskjold on December 3 and December 18.

“Since the last letter,” Mr. Eban wrote, “in which I drew your attention to the renewal by Egypt of fedayeen activities,” nine more attacks have been carried out by fedayeen gangs “directed by Egypt.” The attacks, wrote the Israel representative, came from bases in Jordan. The Egyptian Government is responsible for these attacks, it was pointed out.

To support his charges against Egypt, Mr. Eban quoted Radio Cairo as having boasted on December 24: “Arab governments are training fedayeen and instructing them in war fare which is neither forbidden nor shameful. The government of Egypt is organizing fedayeen and instilling them with readiness to fight. This too is legitimate, this is an honor for the government of Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon and other governments. Another Radio Cairo broadcast quoted by Mr. Eban had stated that, if Israel prevented the use of the Gaza area as a base for fedayeen, “there are many other places which could be used for that purpose.”

“Israel,” Mr. Eban wrote to the UN chief, “is still awaiting the receipt of assurances against the renewal of Egyptian belligerency by sea and by land. In the light of the renewal of fedayeen activities, the indispensable character of such assurances become increasingly manifest.” He asked Mr. Hammarskjold to circulate the contents of the letter to all members of the General Assembly.