Israel is holding up on its decision to send a “test” ship through the Suez Canal pending clarification of France’s intentions in respect to using the waterway and until the Ben Gurion Government can make up its mind to earlier reports, it was stated in informed circles today. Israel has not promised the United States not to use force to push a ship through the canal.
An Israeli decision can be expected within two to three weeks, if, as has been reported, the French decide to negotiate transit of French shipping. Meanwhile, there is no indication that Israel has softened to the slightest extent in its opposition to taking the Suez question to the Hague Court. Israel feels that a Security Council decision establishing its right to use the Suez channel is already on the books and what is needed is a means of implementing that decision–something the court is unlikely to offer.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
