Israeli Forces Repel Egyptian Attacks; Recapture Several Strategic Positions

Jewish forces were today in full command of two heights east of Gaza and south of Faluja which were captured by the Egyptians yesterday, it was officially announced here.

A Jewish counterattack last night rolled the Egyptians out of Tel el Kuneitra and Kirvet Nahaza which they had seized earlier in the day in unexpected truce violations. The Israeli Government, meanwhile, has notified U.N. truce observation headquarters of the Egyptian attacks.

An Israeli communique in Jerusalem revealed that there was considerable Egyptian troop activity south of that city yesterday, with attacks coming from Sur Bahir. Further west, in the direction of Bethlehem, Egyptian gunners shelled Jewish positions for two hours.

An Israeli Government spokesman today denied a statement by the Greek Government that two Israeli Spitfires on maneuvers from an Israeli base which made a forced landing on the island of Rhodes were armed. The spokesman said the Greek claim was inaccurate.

Minister of Immigration Moshe Shapira today revealed that 50,000 Jews have entered Israel since the proclamation of the state May 15 and that 20,000 had arrived during the period from January to May. An additional 50,000 will enter by the end of this December, Shapira added. He said Israel hopes to admit 120,000 Jews next year and thus force the closing of the European DP camps for Jews.

U.S.ENVOY. SOVIET MINISTER VISIT PRESIDENT WEIZMANN

Pavel Yerahov, Soviet Minister to Israel, yesterday visited President Weizmann at his home in Rehovoth. On Monday, James G. MacDonald, U.S. special envoy to Israel, called on the President. Dr. Weizmann also received Maurice Bisgyer, executive secretary of B’nai B’rith. Earlier, Bisgyer visited the badly damaged B’nai B’rith Children’s home in Jerusalem.

A group of American and Canadian Jewish leaders–including Bisgyer, Rep. Emanuel Celler and Harry Friedman of the American Red Mogen David, and David Croll and Dr. Leon Harris of Toronto–are inspecting Israeli military hospitals. In a statement to the press, Celler said that an announcement would soon be forthcoming from Washington which would leave no room for doubt that the U.S. favors Israeli possession of the Negev.

In New Year’s broadcasts from Jerusalem, Chief Rabbi Isaac Herzog sent greetings to world Jewry, Israeli military governor Dr. Bernard Joseph reiterated opposition to foreign rule for Jerusalem, even in the guise of international control, and Mayor Daniel Auster reported on the progress made in the city during the siege. In Jerusalem as elsewhere throughout Israel Rosh Hashanah was celebrated in khaki, with the synagogues filled to capacity with service personnel and civilians.