Israel labeled today recent Syrian accusations of atrocities and alleged intimidation of its population by Israel as “most shocking statements, reminiscent of the darkest period of medieval times and of the ‘Damascus blood libel’ of a century ago.”
A letter to Secretary-General U Thant from Ambassador Shabtai Rosenne, Israel’s acting permanent representative, refuted and rejected Syrian allegations, made in previous communications to the U.N., as “false.” Dr. Rosenne said: “There is not and has never been any intimidation of the local population which is being provided with food. There is a plentiful supply of foodstuff in the shops. All cases of pilferage which come to notice are brought before an appropriate court martial or military court.”
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