Nasser M eking Grave Mistake--Eban

One of the most striking aspects
State Department spokesman strait by itself. if necessary. Its
East crisis. since establishment of
of Israel's response was the fact
Robert McCloskey said "We are power to do this, he said, has not that
Is-
the
Jewish
state.
most municipal councils for
JERUSALEM — Abba Eban,
been impaired and Israel ' s inten-
r a el's foreign minister, defined Ben-Gurion called the press living through this hour by hour." tion was reported to the presidents the first time in history buried
Tuesday the importance of free conference after Premier Levi Administration sources said that of France and the United States party rivalries and set up emerg-
passage for its shipping in the Eshkol's statement to parliament. the U.S. government appreciated
of and the British prime minister by ency councils with the participa-
Egyptian-blockaded Tiran Strait as The cabinet barred debate on the Israeli government's policy
tion of all parties.
restraint. In appreciation, they in- Foreign Minister Eban.
TRANSPORTATION AID
statement.
"the kind of an issue for which the The
On Thursday, Wilson headed for
former premier said that dicated, the U.S. reassured Israel
Municipal officials have asked
nations are prepared to stake ev-
the United States and Canada to
private
car owners to provide trans-
erything they have, assume the the Arab leaders were declaring that it
America
would
honor
its
corn-
discuss efforts to break the block-
m ments.
heaviest responsibilities and make night and day their intention to
ade. He had earlier visited with the portation help because of a short-
After a special meeting of the
age
of
vehicles used in Israel's
every sacrifice."
destroy Israel and that a people
other maritime nations and will
Speaking at a press conference, which had suffered immense losses Israel cabinet devoted to the crisis, also make an appearance at the call-up of reserves. It also has
Prime Minister
Levi Sunday
Eshkol night
an- United Nations. France indicated been proposed that women replace
the foreign minister said also that at the hands of the Nazis could nounced
on the radio
she would not join in such inter- mobilized drivers in special essen-
i
take such threats lightly.
President Nasser of Egypt was not He
also said that it was clear that Israel would fight for its se-
tial transport services.
national efforts.
Committing a serious mistake if "he
The ministry of education issued
(Egypt's President Nasser told
thinks he can erase in 10 minutes to anyone in the world who had curity along the borders and for
special instructions for safety meas-
that which has taken Israel 10 any understanding of the situation its right to freedom of passage a news conference in Cairo Sunday ures in all the schools and proce-
that
Egyptian
President
Nasser's
;
through
the
Strait
of
Tiran.
The
that
any
effort
to
interfere
with
years to build."
blockade of the Tiran Strait to cabinet meeting lasted more than his blockade of the Strait of Tiran dures to be followed in the event
Describing the time element
for the major powers and the Israel shipping was an attack on four hours
was held in Tel would be considered an "act of the tension erupts into a shooting
nstead and
of Jerusalem.
instead
war." He said that the Gulf of war.
security and independence of
United Nations to act on opening the
Voicing
his
confidence
in Israel's Aqaba and the Strait of Tiran are
Air-raid shelters were hastily
1
Israel.
the Tiran Strait as critical, he
army's capacity to repulse any act "Egyptian waters" and stated that
being made ready for use by the
LEADERSHIP STRESSED
said that unless effective action
civilian
population in the event
He added, however• that even ' of aggression, Eshkol asserted that the matter "is no longer a subject
was taken soon by the major
of any contingency. Teams of
for discussion.")
decisive
action
could
not
rest
on
.
the
Israel
government
would
act
powers, Israel would act alone Israel's armed forces alone. He . "to procure not only the opening
housewives were organized to
KOSYGIN MESSAGE
in a matter of weeks as the said that "we do not always have of the Strait of Tiran, but also
prepare the shelters already set
Eshkol received a message Sun-
"outer time limit."
up in apartment houses and pri-
to take the advice of our friends the withdrawal of Evpt's military day from Soviet Premier Alexei
added
that
in
his
talks
with
vate homes. There was a signifi-
He
but neither can we always disre- ' build-up along Israel's borders."
N. Kosygin, counseling Israel
DIRECTIVES APPROVED
United States and British leaders gard their views. The conduct of
cant reduction in public bus
centered
Eshkol told the nation that the against any action that might ag-
services in Tel Aviv and other
Iast week , the discussions
gravate the current Israeli-Arab
eans for obtaining war, even if forced on us, calls for
l
m
ractica
cities, Some routes were discon-
on p
passage in the strait responsibility and military wisdom, cabinet
has
approved
directives
for crisis. Kosygin was reported to
uring
the
withdrawal
of Egyp-
tinued and the frequency of op-
freedom of they
have
sent
a
similar
message
to
did
not
talk
on
and
our
stand
and
our
leadership
securing
from the Sinai Penin-
eration of others changed.
and that
de- tian
President Nasser of Egypt.
in these days and weeks can de-
Officials said that 50 Tora scrolls
matters of principle because those termine
our fate for better or sula. Directives for political ac-
the text of Kosygin's letter
be
tion, he said, have also been
ap- to While
had already been agreed on.
Israel was not made public im- had been sent in the past few days
proved by the cabinet. After re-
w°rse'"
'SAME TENSION EXISTS'
in an oblique reference to the peating his assertion that Egypt's mediately, Kosygin's attitude was to field synagogues opened for
In somber tones, he told the collapse of efforts to broaden the current military build-up and the said to be "moderate," especially newly mobilized troops in southern
Israel. More scrolls were sent for
newsmen that if it became appar
when viewed in the context of the services Saturday. The scrolls were
ent that the influence or action Israeli cabinet, Ben-Gurion said blockading of the Strait of Tiran
of the major powers to end the that "whoever believed any subject endanger Israel's security, the Pre- Soviet government's harsh, anti- among several hundred recently
blockade was not efficient enough. may be more important today than mier paid tribute to Israel's army Israeli statements of last week. In received from Romania.
Israel would reserve its right to that of our security and existence which, he said, is "strong and has the earlier statements, in Moscow
Many workers decided to give
1 the highest morale, and is capable as well as at the United Nations up part of their wages despite a
argue with him."
act. He stressed that "There is — I cannot
After lauding
the strength of of repulsing any attack." He called Security Council, Israel was ac- substantial increase in the work
A certain danger in action, but
c u s e d of planning "aggression" week from the normal 47 hours.
the army, he ended with a the army "Israel's bulwark."
there are moments when the den-
"May we be worthy of 1 Israel is relying not only on its against its neighboring Arab states.
Even the income tax collector
Israeli political circles Sunday
ger of no action is even greater." prayer:
our soldiers and army Eshkol said in his address,
the devotion
of
has had some surprises. In recent
.
Asked whether tension had de-
hi h the whole Jew- but also on political and diplomatic studied the report filed with the days, many taxpayers have mailed
creased during the past 24 hours— i sh people of the world
rld shares means for efforts to find a solution United Nations Security Council checks in advance payment on
by Secretary-General U Thant. their taxes. N. M. Roitman, a Tel
a reference to a statement by i with US at this hour.
of the current crisis. He said that
It was stressed, however, that Aviv attorney, sent a check for
Premier Levi Eshkol that Israel
that Israel is "in constant contact" with
A multination ho u r
was counting for the time being on will watch over the Strait of Tiran the United States, Britain, France Nasser's speech in which he re- 250.000 pounds ($83,000) with a
diplomatic action to resolve the at Sharm el Sheikh is being joined and other governments, including
iterated his intention to destroy note that "With the enemy gather-
deadlock—the foreign minister re- by troops from Iraq. it was report- the Soviet Union. Israel's mobiliza-
Israel made Thant's proposal for ing at the gates, I would like to
plied that the same tension existed.
a revival of the Egyptian-Israeli join the national effort to the best
ed Thursday. tion of its army reserves. he said.
said
that
"the
fact
that
it
has
Mixed Armistice Commission de- of my ability." More modest contri-
He
The force was expected to in- has played an important role in
not exploded does not mean that elude
void
of meaning.
troops from Kuwait, Sudan securing a possible solution of the
Five Egyptians, including three buttons came from clerks and other
it has ceased "
and Algeria, as well as Iraq and crisis.
lesser-paid workers.
to
a
question
as
army
officers and two privates.
response
In
the United Arab Republic. (only
The premier spoke in an emo•
ARAB CITIZENS HELP
to whether Israel was pinning Lebanon
tion-packed v o i c e, especially were captured by an Israeli patrol
has not committed mill-
Many Israeli Arabs were re-
any hopes on the United Nations. tary aid to the cause) Iraq's airlift ' when he emphasized Israel's de- Sunday morning while conducting
he replied that "This unfortu- began Wednesday, and other troops sire to secure Egypt's with- a reconaissance mission inside Is- ported taking an active role in the
nately is very limited, because were expected to be deployed else-
i drawal of its military build-up rael. near Nitzana, on the Egyptian defense of their country. Deputy
border. They were in an Egyptian Mayor Abdul Azzis Zuabi of the
of past experience." He then de- where in the Sinai Peninsula.
1 along Israel's borders.
all-Arab city of Nazareth volun-
nounced the United Nations, de-
premier's speech to the na- patrol
Sharm
el
Sheikh
was
considered
;
The
(The car.
five, including a lieutenant leered for farm work in neighbor-
claring that it was "probably the
,
a likely target for any effort to tion
was viewed here as Israel's
understatement
in
most massive
break the Tiran Strait blockade by reply to the anti-Israel declaration colonel, a major and a captain. ing collective settlements. Thirty
made in Cairo Monday by Egypt's were believed to have been trying Arab teachers came to Afula Hos-
history" to say that the United
I i President Nasser. While recogniz- to gather information about Is- pital Tuesday to donate blood.
Nations "has not emerged with force.
A , 28-year-old lieutenant, Avin-
AI I IES PLEDGE
any particular brilliance from
rael's troop movements on t h e
It was reported in Washington ing the gravity of the current border. They were brought here oam Dahan of Tel Aviv said he
the last crisis."
had named his new-born son
He flatly attributed the current that Britain, the Netherlands and situation. Israel was seen as em- for intensive interrogation.
Portugal have pledged support for ploying all political and diplomatic
(Seven Israelis were slightly in- "Tiran" for the strait blockaded
crisis to the United Nations "fail-
tire," and to the "rapidity" with an effort by maritime powers to means for easing the situation. jured Saturday morning when an by Egypt for the past two weeks.
which Secretary General U Thant contest the blockade. The plan while not failing to envisage the armored half-track was blown up Attention of official Washing-
yielded to Egyptian demands for calls for the establishment of an possibility of an armed clash as a by a land mine in the vicinity of ton was directed toward the
naval force that could result of Nasser's aggressive inten-
meeting of the Israeli cabinet
Karem Shalom one mile inside Is-
removal of the United Nat ions international
rael's border on the Gaza Strip. Sunday at which Foreign Min-
Emergency Force from the EgYP - provide armed escort, if necessary, tions.
On
Monday.
in
a
statement
to
tian-Israeli border, without prior for Western merchant ships at the Knesset. Eshkol said that "The This was the first incident on that ister Abba Eban reported of his
the talks with President Johnson.
consultation or negotiations. Ile tempting to test the blockade.
eat border since the withdrawal of
1 h
to United Nations troops and the cur- French President de Gaulle and
d a d e - gov ernment
Egypt and Jordan signe
mat
said the UN had abandoned its
envisaging,
edly
stated
its
det
British statesmen on the crisis.
tense pact Tuesday.
responsibilities , which were "legal-
exercise its freedom of passage rent crisis.)
President Johnson's views as
ormants,
m ants, a
accord ing to Arab infor
FAST DAY DECREED
ity and no belligerence."
through the Strait of Tiran and
Israel if
Israel's chief rabbinate pro- conveyed to Eban suggested re-
quick, all-out assault
In response to a question about
the Gulf of Aqaba, and will defend
the pact should be invoked. it in case of need. This is a su- claimed a day of fast and prayer strain[ by Israel in order to give
the role of the Soviet Union in the
Syria charged on Damascus , I Kerne national intention on which Thursday and called on the entire the United Nations time to develop
Crisis, Eban expressed the hope
radio that King Hussein
Jor- no concession is possible and no nation to "close ranks at this a formula for resolving the Egyp•
that Moscow. which he said itself
against of
"Syria's
den still plotted
compromise is admissible. It is crucial hour" as preparations were tian-Isracli conflict without a
was deeply interested in keeping
shooting war.
open,
revolutionary
regime."
international waterways
clear to us. and I feel it is now speeded for home defense.
Eban had, during his flying trip
make
its
influence
felt
in
diplomatic
Throughout Israel, synagogues
Although
foreign
clear to the nations of the world
would
Cairo and Damascus. He asserted sources in Israel said the United that so long as the blockade exists, were filled Thursday, and many to Washington, also received defi-
other Israeli Jews, now on guard nite affirmation from highest gov-
that "It is no use asking Israel States might challenge the block- peace is in danger."
ernment officials that the U.S. is
con- ade by sending a warship through
Eshkol paid tribute in his Knes- duty at the country's borders, were I
to show restraint—we have
have
it.
we
to the southern Israeli port of Ei- set speech to what he described as joined by civilians in prayer. Prep- I definitely opposed to any Egyptian
vincingly shown that
blockade of the Strait of Tiran
The important thing is to ask Cairo tat, the U.S. Defense Department the firm attitude taken by the orations to cope with the ultimate I preventing
the passage of ships
States in support of Israel's contingency were visible every- through the Gulf of Aqaba to and
and Damascus" to show similar denied there was any such plan United
i
to test the blockade.
claim to the right of freedom of where.
restraint.
from
the
Israeli
port of Eilat.
In Tel Aviv's streets, house-
OPPOSITION INFORMED
The U.S. carrier Intrepid was transit of the Strait of Tiran. He
(A spokesman for the Israel Em-
On the internal political situa- sent through the Suez Canal Thurs• had words of praise, too, for Prime wives and school children were I bassy said Tuesday that reported
busy filling sandbags and using
tion, he said that the government day moring to place it in the Red Minister Harold Wilson of Britain
them to make improvised air , compromise proposals for Gulf of
was consulting with the opposition Sea in the immediate vicinity of and for other countries which he
passage, involving denial of
raid shelters. Other pupils began ; ! Aqaba
parties and keeping them closely the Gulf of Aqaba. Navy sources said supported the Israeli position.
de- said the warship was headed di- The prime minister told Parlia-
serving as substitute mailmen, transit to Israeli flag ships, had
informed on developments. He
replacing
the
mail
deliverers
!
not
been
discussed with the gov-
dared that it was in moments such rectly for the western Pacific, with ment that Israel had firm com-
ernment of Israel.)
called up for reservist duty.
as these that Israel's people have no instructions to stay in the Red ments from a number of marl-
RUSK MEETING
Housewives baked cakes by the
time powers and expected firm
shown their "obstinacy and ten- Sea or the Aqaba area.
hundreds for men stationed far ; Secretary of State Dean Rusk
effective
action
in
the
near
acity. It is the gravity of resolu-
The Soviet Union began moving and
had a brief meeting with the So-
tion, not the gravity of weakness
This expectation, he as- away on Israel's borders. Munici- ciet charge
T
ff
a reported 10 to 20 warships from future.
serted. was based on firm and polities set up special departments nikov, who made an urgent call
which we
the Black Sea through the Bospo-
for
Prime Minister David
and the Dardanelles to the definite commitments the Israel to collect clothing and candy
Former feel."
I
rus
(Continued on Page 39)
Ben-Gurion
a suddenly-con-
the men in uniform.
press 'told
conference
Monday eastern Mediterranean, where government had received.
The prime minister told the
vened that Israel was facing its units of the U.S. Sixth Fleet are
Friday, June 2, 1967 - 23
THE
DETROIT
JEWISH
NEWS
I Knesse t that Israel will open the
night
gravest test, in the current Middle crusing.

(Direct JTA Teletype Wire
to T he Jewish News)