S/PV.558 Security Council

If there are no objections, we shall keep to the system of interpretation that we have been using thus far. There will be both simultaneous and consecutive interpretation of statements by members of the Coullcil, and only simultaneous interpretation of the speeches of representatives of States not members of the Counci1. Adoption of tlte agenda The agenda was adopted. The Palestine question (continued) (a) RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY EGYPT ON THE PASSAGE OF SHIPS THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL (S/2241) r

There are no speakers on my list. Does anyone wish to speak? 3. You will recall that we postponed our discussion the other clay in order to give delegations wishing ta make statements on this matter the opportunity to do 50 today.

If nobody wishes ta speak, l suggest that we pass immecliately ta the vote on the only drait resolution before us.

If there are no objections, we sha11 proceed ta vote on the "1. Recalling that in its resolution of 11 August 1949 (S/1376) relating ta the conclusion of Armis- tice Agreements between Israel and the neighbouring Arab States it drew attention to the pledges in these Agreements 'against any further acts of hostility between the Parties', "2. Recalling further that in its resolution of 17 November 1950 (S/1907 and Corr.l), it reminded the States concerned that the Armistice Agreements ta which they are parties contemplate 'the return of permanent peace in Palestine', and therefore urged them and other States in the area to take al! such steps as will lead ta the settlement of the issues be- tween them, "3. N oting the report of the Chief of Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization to the Security Councilof 12 June 1951 (S/2194), "4. Fu.l'ther noting that the Chief of Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization recalled the state- ment of the senior Egyptian delegate in Rhodes on 13 January 1949, to the effect that his delegation was 'inspired with every spirit of co-operation, concilia- tion and a sincere desire to restore peace in Palestine', and that the Egyptian Government has not complied with the earnest plea of the Chief of Staff made to the Egyptian delegate on 12 June 1951, that it desist from the present practice of interfering with the passage through the Suez Canal of goods destined for Israel, "5. Considering that since the armistice régime, which has been in existence for nearly two and a haH years, is of a permanent character, neither party can reasonably assert that it is actively a belli- gcrent or requires to exercise the right of visit, search, and seizttre for any legitimate purpose of self- defence, "6. Finds that the maintenance of the practice mentioned in paragraph 4 above is inconsistent with the objectives of a peaceful settlement between the parties and the establishment of a permanent peace in Palestine set forth in the Armistice Agreement; "7. Finds further that such practice is an abuse of. the exercise of the right of visit, search and SetZtlre; "8...Fu.rt!ter finds that that practice cannot in the prevathng ctrcumstances be justified on the ground that it is necessary for self-defence; "9. And f~trther noting that the restrictions on the passage of goods through the Suez Canal to Israel p~rts are denying to nations at no time connected wt~h the cOllfl~ct in Palestine valuable supplies re- ql11red for thetr economic reconstruction and that these restrictions together with sanctions 'applied by Egypt ta certain ships which have visited Israel ports "10. CaUs upon Egypt to terminate the restric- tions on the passage of international commercial shipping and goods throllgh the Suez Canal wherever bound and to cease all interference with sllch shipping beyond that essential ta the safety of shipping in the Canal itse1f and to the observance of the international conventions in force." 6. Since no one has asked for a vote by division, 1 propose putting the draft resolution to the vote as a whole. In favour: Brazil, ECllador, France, Netherlands, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and North- ern Ireland, United States of America, Yugoslavia. Abstentions: China, India, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

The delegation of Israel, having brollght this question before the Security Council, wishes only to express its appreciation for the earnest and positive attention which the Council has devoted ta its complaint. By rejecting any concept of one-sided bel1igerency or unilateral blockade, the Sectlfity Council has assertecl the true nature of the General Armistice Agreement 2 as a measure designed ta lead to permanent peace. While it is now unhappi!y c1ear that, for over two and a half years, Israel has been suffering the material loss and the political affront of a violation of the General Armistice Agreement, it may henceforward be hoped that all hostile or warlike acts based on the assllmption of a state of war will be renollnced. 8. Countries such as Israel, which depend so vitally upon' their maritime communications, must react with great sensitivity whenever the doctrine of the freedom of the seas is violated to their detriment. 9. 1 did not l'eply to the recent detailed addresses of the representative of Egypt [553rd, 555th, 556th 111.eetings] since they were so largely concerned' with matters unrelated to the agenda, including critical observations on the internaI parliamentary proceedings of some countries and the bilateral relations of others. However, 1 must now express my Goverl1luent's deep regret that the Egyptian representative felt himself free to ,assai! Israel in such unhridled and vehement tenus, using the language and terms of familiar and deeply rooted prejudice. Such epithets as "Israel vandalism" and "blood-dripping steps", quite apart from their pro- , vocative nature, cannat be reconciled with Egypt's own initiative in first launching and now seeking to maintain 10. The history of the truce and the armistice reveals that Israel and the Arab States have never reached agreement without sitting' together, and have never sat too-ether without l'eaching an agreement. But the sC~llpulous maintenance of existing agreements is the only possible starting point for a new advance. 11. The intimate relations of Egypt and Israel reach bacle into the most dramatic and creative periocls of history. By reason of their l)roximity, of t~eir geographical location at the crossroads of three contments, of the traditions and culture which their peoples represent in their modern era of renewed independence, Egypt and Israel are weIl endowed for the tasle of uniting their efforts to lay the foundations of regional peace. By vinclicating the AD11istice Agreement in its letter and spirit, the SeCl1rity Council, in its resolution today, has contributed its influence and encouragement to that end. 12. Ml'. LACOSTE (France) (translated trom French): Now that the Security Conncil has adopted the cIraft resollltion submitted by the United States, United Kingclol11 and French delegations on 16 August last [552nd meeting], l feel l should repeat that, since the United Nations was first seized on the matter of the restrictions imposed by the Egyptian Government on freedom of transit throngh the Suez Canal, the ConDcil as a whole - and the joint authors of the resolution in particular - have been most anxious not to mave too hastily to a conclusion. 13. Despite the legitimate impatience of aIl the nations whose interests have in any way been harmed by those restrictions on their overseas trade passing through that great international watenvay - which from the very beginnil1g was explicitly dec1ared open to all nations at ail times - the Security Council has taken ail the time necessary for a thorough study of the situation brought about by the restrictive action of the Egyptian Government, and has given the latter a full opportunity to reconsic1er its c1ecisiol1s in the matter. 14. More than seven1110nths have elapsec1 between the til11e the Conncil first heard the Israel delegation's complaint in November last [518th meeting] and the statements of various clelegations, including those of the United KingdoI11 r522nd meeting] and France [524th meeting], emphasizing the importance they atiached to a speedy restoration of freedom of transit through the Canal, and the moment in June last when the Council recei~ed the report [S/2194] of the Chairman of the Speclal CommIttee, whom it had asked to examine. the case. 16. l may add that the three delegations which sponsored the draft resollltion just adopted by the Council have always been most anxious, as they have shown by their deeds, to conciliate Egypt and at the same time to promote the chances of an amicable settlement of a question which, by its nature and the area it involves, concerns the whole of the international community. It is surely lInnecessary for me to remind the Council of the successive postponements which "vere granted, either at the instance of one of the three delegations which submitted the draft or of ail three c1elegations, or at the individual or collective suggestion of other representatives, even before the clraft resolutian was snbmitted to the Council and, later, during the course of the discussion. 1 1 ! 1 17. SUl-ely no one can complain that the Council was unduly hurried, that its decision was taken sl1ddenly or adopted withollt forethought, without a full Imowledge of the facts, or withont giving the Egyptian delegation every opportunity of making itself llnderstood. 18. In fact the Council, and especially the three delegations which sponsored the resolution that has j ust been adopted, expected ll1t1ch better results of these successive postponements. The aim was not l'l1erely to shed as much light as possible on a situation which, it must be said, was already well known. It was also to give the Egyptian Government time to find a way of adapting its behavionr to the obligations inCltmbent upon it, on the one hand under the Armistice Agreement which it had concluded with Israel, and on the other hand under the international statute of the Suez Canal, and at the same time ta combine this return to the observance of its obligations with the exigencies of its concern for its national interests, in so far as these are legitimate. 19. lt is therefore extremely disappointing and regrettable for many members of this Council, and certainly for 111Y delegation, that the Egyptian Governl11ent has been unable to find such a solution and that it has not made any suggestion which 111ight give rise to such a solution. Such a settlement would have been far preferable. Neverthe1ess, we do not abandon hope. r 20. In calling upon Egypt to terminate the restrictions on the passage of international commercial fshipping and goods through the Suez Canal, the Councill think l am interpreting its wishes by saying this, and l am certainly expressing the feeling of 111y delegation - has had no intention of addressing an "ultimatum" or a "diNat" to Egypt, to employ words used the other day by one of our colleagues. Having ascertained on repeated occasions that there was no immediate or predictable hope of a concrete solution ta an abnormal situation which bas caused 22. The PRESIDENT (translated If there are no more speakers, we have completed our work 23. Mahmoud FAWZI Bey statement we heard this morning, the representative of Israel, already commented on such of Israel. Among other things, words. Peace is acts and facts. people chased out of their home and livelihood and denied of human rights. 24. As for the eloquent heard from the representative been answered in great detail ments to the Council. With representative of France speaks and time which were given find a solution for the present 'maintain that time was only today complain of the position heap one ultimatum upon another, and more on an unconditional cry hom a solution. 25. Many of the couutries table have even regretted unconditional surrender in connexion World War. l am not going regard. Still, in connexion with they claim to be friendly, they upon an unconditional surrender. 26. The representative of France and opportnnity given to Egypt· to neither he nor anyone else around one single instance in which with one single suggestion for said that Egypt must surrender Egypt must yield, and that wou 27. The statement of the reminds m~ of an incid~nt which 28. We might recal! something which the representative of China said toward the end of the debate. He stated [553rd meeting]that Israel's claim was based on tluee assumptions: contravention by Egypt of the Suez Canal Convention, of international law and of the Israel-Egyptian General Armistice Agreement. The representative of China said at that late hour of our debate, after sa many meetings had taken place, that that had yet ta be proved. 1 say today, even after the adoption of this resolution by the Security Council, that the assumptions on which the daim of Israel was based - or on which it tried to base itself - have yet ta be proved. 29. Obviously it is of no use for me ta comment in any further detail upon these various matters, or upon any other points. 1 would simply submit that my statements still stand. 1 have tried in them, ta the best of my modest ability, ta outline the position of my Government, and 1 have fully reserved its rights in connexion with the present debate. Apart from that, 1 am going to exercise my freedom of silence.

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