U.S. Resolution Against Israel Meets Opposition in Security Council

An American resolution calling for Israel to withdraw from the Sinai peninsula met with opposition in the Security Council this evening in a lengthy debate during which the British and French delegates insisted that a vote on the resolution be postponed.

Soviet delegate Arkady Sobolev supported the American request for an immediate vote. He said that although his government disapproves of the resolution’s failure to brand Israel an aggressor, he would vote for it. The Yugoslav delegate also expressed support of the American request for an early ballot. (At the time the Bulletin went to press, the debate was continuing.)

The resolution, as introduced and amended by U. S. delegate Henry Cabot Lodge, reads:

“The Security Council, noting that the armed forces of Israel have penetrated deeply into Egyptian territory in violation of the armistice agreement between Egypt and Israel;

“Expressing its grave concern at this violation of the armistice agreement;

“1. Calls upon Israel and Egypt immediately to cease fire.

“2. Calls upon Israel immediately to withdraw its armed forces behind the established armistice lines;

“3. Calls upon all members A. To refrain from the use of force or threat of force in the area in any matter inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations; B. To assist the United Nations in ensuring the integrity of the armistice agreement; C. To refrain from giving any military, economic or financial assistance to Israel so long as it has not complied with this resolution;

“4. Requests the Secretary General to keep the Security Council informed on compliance with this resolution and to make whatever recommendations he deems appropriate for the maintenance of international peace and security in the area by the implementation of this and prior resolutions.

Israel delegate Abba Eban told the Security Council that Israel’s attack against Egyptian commando bases in the Sinai peninsula had only one reason–to eliminate the posts from which the Egyptian fedayeen are trying to accomplish, not merely harassment of Israel, but its very destruction.

Mr. Eban declared that this year alone the fedayeen were responsible for 28 Israeli dead and 127 wounded. In the last six years, he said, the fedayeen invaded Israel 435 times, committed 1,843 acts of robbery and theft, committed 127 cases of sabotage, wounded 364 Israelis and killed 101. Mr. Eban asserted that Israel wants peace, but wants it on a “reciprocal” basis. “Israel rejects charges of aggression. We are the victims, not the authors of aggression,” he said.

French delegate Bernard Cornut-Gentille in a lengthy speech, strongly defended Israel’s action. He said that Egyptian President Nasser has brought about a situation which endangers the peace of the world and cited Col. Nasser’s declaration of his ambition to destroy Israel.