Syria’s new Chief of State, Nureddin Atassi, today called for an immediate “liberation war” against Israel as “the best way of achieving Arab unity.” Speaking at a military parade on the 10th anniversary of the Baath Socialist Party’s seizure of power, he attacked the Western powers, especially the United States, and underlined Syria’s intention to cooperate more closely with the Communistic bloc.
Meanwhile it was officially reported here today that Syrian gun posts near the shores of Lake Tiberias–a body of water entirely within Israeli jurisdiction — fired on Israeli fishermen on the lake yesterday afternoon, riddling one of the Israeli boats with machinegun bullets. An Israeli patrol boat returned the fire, and rescued the fishermen. There were no casualties on the Israeli side.
The attack was the third in the last month against Israeli fishing boats on the lake. Israel has filed a complaint against Syria with the United Nations Syrian-Israeli Mixed Armistice Commission. Such Syrian attacks against Israeli fishermen occur very often at this time of the year, as the Syrians attempt to bar the Israelis from the rich fishing waters at one point on Lake Tiberias.
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