Gen. William E. Riley, Chief of the U.N. truce staff, today expressed the hope that the new regime in Syria would honor the armistice agreement signed between Israel and the predecessor Syrian Government. Gen. Riley was commenting on the overthrow and execution of “strong man” President Husni Zaim.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Army is intensifying its vigilance along the Syrian border and is closely watching developments there since the week-end coup in Damascus in which President Zaim was executed by a military junta. The Davar, Hebrew daily newspaper, today reports that the Syrians have not yet abandoned their positions at Tel Azizat, contrary to all other information. The correspondent says that the Syrian flag still flies from the center of the area and no fortifications have been demolished, as ordered by the U.N.
Competent observers here believe that Husni Zaim’s execution and the assumption of power by his opponents is bound to have an adverse effect on Israel. It is expected that one result of the coup will be that the United States will accelerate its present policy toward the Arab states, a policy which is described here as “coddling the Arab states at the expense of Israel.” Other observers believe that this coup as well as other upheavals in the Arab states will cause the nations to look favorably on the stable young state of Israel.
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.
