Dr. Louis Gailland. International Red Cross representative, has volunteered to inspect the ancient Christian Monastery of St. Catherian, on the Sinai Peninsula, thus possibly ending a dispute over the manner in which Israel’s troops in the Sinai have cared for that old repository of Hebrew and Christian culture.
Egypt had complained to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization alleging that Israel had acted “destructively” at the monastery. The old religious center is listed by the United Nations-Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a “cultural monument” deserving special care even during hostilities.
When the UN truce organization asked Israel to be permitted to send observers. Israel turned down the request in accordance with the recent policy under which Israel does not permit UNTSO observers in areas under its military jurisdiction Israel, however, invited UNESCO to send personnel to visit the monastery UNESCO refused, leading Israel to charge that Egypt may cause damage to the old monastery after Israeli troops had been withdrawn, then attribute that destruction to Israel.
With Dr. Gailland’s offer to go the monastery, Israel has the opportunity to let a neutral observer see that its troops had respected the “cultural monument.” Dr. Gailland has been informed by the government that he will be given all facilities to go to the monastery and inspect it thoroughly.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
