The political crisis in the Middle East created by Egypt’s determination to oust the British from the Suez Canal area has resulted in almost complete suspension of the Arab-Israel “peace talks” initiated here by the United Nations Palestine Conciliation Commission.
The Conciliation Commission met briefly today in private session to discuss the current deadlock. Up to today the Commission had not met for ten days.
Some observers at the conference believe that no progress can be made as long as the Suez Canal situation remains confused. They consider it significant that three of the four powers which offered Egypt a partnership in the Middle East de-defense arrangement are those powers which make up the Conciliation Commission U.S., France and Turkey.
Israeli sources here feel that efforts in behalf of a Middle East defense pact can have no meaning until peace is first achieved between Israel and the Arab states. The Israelis insist that the Arab attitude demonstrated at the Paris conference, particularly Egypt’s, has given no justification for feeling that the Arabs want a peace settlement.
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.
