Action by the Egyptian authorities in delaying ships under Israel charter when they seek passage through the Suez Canal was condemned by Israel sources today as a deliberate policy of harassment of Israel commerce.
By holding up the transit of vessels bound to or from Israel ports, they said, the Egyptians were seeking to establish the principle that transit of such vessels was not a matter of right but was a question of Egyptian goodwill in each individual case. It was suggested that this position was intended by the Egyptians as much for other Arab countries as for Israel.
The Israel complaint followed the latest action by the Egyptian authorities in holding up two Norwegian vessels under Israel charter. The Hubro, out of Haifa for the East with a cargo of potash, was delayed twenty-four hours before being admitted into the Canal. The Mars, bound for Haifa with cargo from the Philippines, was delayed more than three days.
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