Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-18
Egypt Not Aggressive
r. p. Hall.

In letter IN Inc Star OF august IL,
the chairman of the American Zionist
Committee for Public Affairs made
statements which. in the interests of
accuracy, call for comment.
Is it not ironical that the same
Zionists who tried very hard, both in
London and Washington, to prevent
British evacuation from Suez are
those who now describe the agreement
which brings about evacuation as one
which may be greeted as welcome
sign of change in the rigid situation
that has prevailed between Great Brit
ain and Egypt?
Out of sheer sanctimoniouS hypoc-
risy. Zionists now attempt to capital
ize on this sign of rapprochement and
understanding between Egypt and the
West, for the benefit of Zionism, de-
spite the fact that Zionists and their
fellow travellers have always attempted
to block the way of Egyptian Western
friendship.
Now they proceed to claim that
Egypt continues intentions of agrees
sion against Israel" Far from con-
tinuing intentions Of aggression, Egypt
has no such intentions, against Israel
or any other nation.
However, it must be clear to the
whole world, as it is clear to Egyp-
tians, that the expansion of Israel pop
ulation-wise constitutes a threat Of
inevitable aggression on the part of
that country. 1t is known fact that
there are strong elements among the
IsraeliS who maintain that their coun-
try should extend from the EuphrateS
to the Nile.
So long as there exists policy in
Israel which brings added thousands of
immigrants to it's territory, then the
Arabs are entitled to their fears that
there must come time when Israel
will seek more territory,
These fears are borne out by re-
peated border clashes, 80 per cent of
which were condemned by Mai. Gen.
Vagn Bennike, until recently Chief of
Staff of the United Nations Mixed Ar
niStice Commission, as violations on
the part of Israel.
1t is the attitude of Israel during
the past six years which forces Egypt
to maintain policy of self-preserva-
ton which is partly supplemented by
a blockade of war materiel passing
through the Suez Canal to Israel.
Egypt cannot permit the tools of war
to go to nation which it has every
reason to believe will resort to agrees
sion to bring about expansion. Food
does go to Israel through the Suez
Canal; war materiel does not. All YES
sells bearing cargoes for Israel are SUBJ
ject to search during their passage
through Suez. This right is one which
was granted to Egypt, and Egypt alone
(because the Suez Canal lies in her
territory by the signatories Of the Con-
stantinople Convention of 1888, re-
specting the free navigation of the
Suez Canal. It is manifestly q means
of self preservation.
The foundations Of peace can be
built only upon a demonstrated effort
to comply with international decisions
which are intended to end disputes
among nations. Yet the cause of peace
in the Near East obviously cannot be
served by Israelis talking peace while
engaging in an endless war of border
aggreSsions, nor can peace be won by
groundless accusations against Egypt
of violating U.N. decisions while the
accusers are, in point of fact, the real
violators! Finally, it is certainly not
in the interest of peace for Israelis to
try to avert or block the way of Egyp-
tian-American understanding, as they
are now attempting to do.
M. Samir Ahmed,
Third Secretary, Press Affairs, En-
bassy of Egypt.