Mideast situation – Incident in the Suez Canal – Letter from Israel

DOCUMENT S/3362

Letter dated 14 February 1955 from the representative of Israel to

the President of the Security Council

[Original text: English]

 [15 February 1955]

I have been instructed by my Government to refer to the case of the Israel merchant ship, the Bat Galim, which was forcibly detained by Egyptian authorities on 28 September 1954 while preparing to enter the Suez Canal on a voyage from Massawa in Eritrea to Haifa in Israel.

On 13 January 1955, at the last meeting of the Security Council which was held on this matter [688th meeting], the President summed up the general trend of the discussion on the question of free passage in the Suez Canal for the ships and cargoes of all nations. The view of the majority was that the Security Council resolution of 1 September 1951 [S/2322] was of continuing validity and effect and that the question of the Bat Galim should be settled in that context. The President expressed the hope that a continued attitude of conciliation on both sides would bring about an agreement on arrangements for the speedy release of the ship and cargo, which are still in Egyptian detention.

I have the honor to express the hope that you may find it possible, in your capacity as President of the Security Council, to inquire from the Egyptian Government whether it is prepared to agree with Israel on an arrangement for the release of the Bat Galim and its cargo through the Suez Canal in conformity with the provisions of the Security Council resolution of 1 September 1951.

If there is an affirmative response, my Government will be ready to discuss with the Egyptian Government the practical steps for putting such an arrangement into effect.

I have the honor to request that the contents of this letter be communicated to the members of the Security Council.

(Signed) Abba EBAN

Ambassador and

Permanent Representative of Israel

to the United Nations