New and serious charges and counter-charges of armistice agreement violations have been exchanged between Syria and Israel during the last month, according to a report filed here this weekend with the Security Council. The report came from Maj. Gen. E. L. M. Burns, chief of the UN Truce Supervision Organization in Palestine.
Syria accuses Israel of persecuting Arabs living in the demilitarized zone along the border between the two countries, according to Gen. Burns, Israel charges Syria with “illegitimate interference” in an effort to disrupt Jewish economic development plans.
Gen. Burns informed the members of the Council that he can see only one “provisional” way of solving the Israel-Syrian differences. He suggested that portions of the demilitarized zone be divided into sections, each of the areas to be policed and administered either by Israelis or by Syrians. On the basis of Gen, Burns’ own report, it was apparent here, Israel would never agree to such a division, since the Syrian-Israel armistice agreement permits Israel alone to police the demilitarized zone.
Because of the disagreement between Israel and Syria over policing the areas in question, there have been no regular meetings of the Syria-Israel Mixed Armistice Commission since June, 1951, Gen, Burns informed the Council.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
