Mopping-up operations in the Negev are continuing on a “much-reduced scale,” an official spokesman declared here today. At the same ‘ time, he denied reports of any military activity on the Iraqi or Syrian fronts.
The Israeli spokesman also denied that any contact had been established with Lebanon, but said that whatever contacts have been maintained with Trans Jordan are still being continued. Referring to a statement allegedly made by the British Foreign Office–that R.A.F. planes are watching Israel action in Egypt–the spokesman declared.
“Britain is exercising considerable influence trying to save the Egyptians from the results of their aggression. Britain is extremely active in her partisan attitude, which shows that Egypt cannot look after her own aggression or defense.”
EGYPT WARNED ON CAIRO BOMBING IF AIR ATTACKS CONTINUE; TEL AVIV HIT
Tel Aviv was alerted today after unidentified aircraft flew over the city, but no bombs were dropped. The city was subjected to enemy aerial and naval bombardment over the week-end. Two Egyptian warships which attacked Tel Aviv early yesterday from a distance of six miles, and which were driven off by Israeli coastal batteries, “steamed off and were then spotted by Israeli air reconnaissance,” an official communique said. “The Israeli Navy intercepted the vessels, but the engagement was inconclusive and the enemy withdrew.”
Commenting on the attacks, a government spokesman warned that if “the Egyptian Navy or Air Force repeat their action against Tel Aviv, we will bomb Cairo. Up to now we avoided attacking any area outside the battle zone and we did not use our Navy, Air Force or ground forces indiscriminately. If the Egyptian Navy’s action against Tel Aviv continues, or Israel behind the front lines is bombed again by the Egyptian Air Force, we will take whatever action we deem proper in Egypt, particularly against Cairo.”
“Faced with the choice between embarking on a course leading to peace or pursuing a further line of aggressive invasion, Egypt chose the latter,” an Israeli spokesman said today following the partial lifting of the security blackout. “Israel could not possibly acquiesce to a situation exposing its safety and territorial integrity to the ever-present menace compelling Israel to carry, indefinitely, the burdens of war readiness,” he added.
“Attacks by the Egyptian aggressors on Israeli positions at every convenient opportunity, as well as the flow from Egypt of fresh men and equipment, left no doubt about the intentions of the Egyptian Government. Under these circumstances, not only the release of the Egyptian brigade encircled at Faluja was inconceivable, but the government found itself constrained to resume freedom of action and ordered, once and for all, the ending of this intolerable situation, to stabilize Israel’s security. For a final, lasting peace settlement,” he said, “the government of Israel is ever ready with the firm conviction that the sooner it is achieved, the better it will be for all concerned.”
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.
