Israel rejected today an extension of Arab territorial rights in the Gulf of Akaba, as claimed by Saudi Arabia which holds that its jurisdiction extends 12 miles beyond the coastline. Israel’s action was taken at an international maritime conference here attended by the representatives of 87 nations.
Israeli Delegate Michael Comay called any such extension attempt by the Arabs a violation of international law. Israel’s announcement that it would fight to protect its shipping interests constituted a reply to the Saudi Arabian claim that the gulf was an “inland Arab waterway. “
Participating in the debate for the first time, Egyptian delegate Dr. Omar Loutfi of Egypt also demanded recognition of the 12 mile rule. True to the Arab line. Dr. Loutfi argued that the law of the sea was valid only in peacetime and not a during a state of war. He added with specific reference to the Gulf of Akaba that “not a single aspect of the Palestinian problem is settled.”
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