U. N. Delegations Briefed by Israelis on Egypt’s Seizure of Cargo

Israel today was continuing a most vigorous diplomatic campaign against the United Arab Republic’s seizure of Israeli origined cargoes being carried in foreign ships through the Suez Canal.

Joseph Tekoah, deputy permanent representative of Israel here, and Dr. Moshe Tov, Israel Ambassador to Mexico, conferred today with the representatives of three more members of the Security Council, the delegation chairmen for Japan, Italy and Panama. Abba Eban, chairman of the Israel delegation, had already been in personal contact with Sir Pierson of Britain, this month’s Security Council president, and with Henry Cabot Lodge, head of the American delegation.

Later, Mr. Tekoah and Dr. Tov discussed the Suez issues as it affects Israel with Andrew W. Cordier, executive assistant to Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold. Observers here predicted freely that Mr. Hammarskjold himself, who is now absent from Headquarters, might be asked to intervene personally with the U. A. R. government for release of the seized cargoes. A number of big maritime powers, it was learned here, have already voiced such demands through their diplomatic envoys in Cairo.

It was also freely predicted that Israel will most certainly take the issue to the Security Council, with a call for public airing of the entire Suez issue, unless the diplomatic pressures result in the release of the cargoes which, in Mr. Eban’s view, have been illegally plundered through piratical assault.”

(Speaking at Eilath today, Israel Premier David Ben Gurion said that while the U. A. R. would not “dare” now to interfere with shipping to and from Eilath, “they are doing what is easy for them because they know we do not contemplate any action against Port Said.”)