Rafael Warns Egypt It Cannot Establish De Facto Control over Suez Canal

Israel will not permit Egypt to unilaterally establish de facto control over the Suez Canal, the Director General of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, Gideon Rafael, declared at a press conference here tonight. Mr. Rafael said that today’s exchange of fire between Israeli and Egyptian forces along the Suez Canal was brought about by Egypt’s attempt to send boats into the Canal’s northern sector in violation of last June’s cease-fire agreement. Also violated by the Egyptians, he said, was last week’s agreement under which Israel will permit the Egyptians to clear the southern end of the Canal in order to free 15 merchant ships stranded there last June. Today’s move by the Egyptians involved the northern end of the Canal which, Israel insists, cannot be cleared without its assent.

Foreign Ministry sources said meanwhile that UN Ambassador Gunnar Jarring’s visit here Thursday was previously scheduled and does not arise from today’s Suez clash. Ambassador Jarring is leaving his Nicosia headquarters for Cairo tomorrow. His visit to Israel will be his seventh since he began his peace-seeking mission in the Middle East.

Mr. Rafael said at his press conference that it is not Israel but Egypt that blocked the Suez Canal and continues to block it. He noted that Egypt deliberately scuttled ships in the Canal to prevent its use. But more important than the physical blockade is the political blockade that bars Israeli shipping from use of the Canal, he said. This hinges on Egypt’s claim of belligerency. Israel’s aim is not to keep the Canal closed but to have it open to ships of all nations, Mr. Rafael said. Other Foreign Ministry sources indicated that Israel will not interfere if Egypt resumes work to clear the southern end of the Canal.