292. Telegram From the Consulate General at Jerusalem to the Department of State1
93.Burns gave me and White of Embassy, Tel Aviv, account along following lines with respect incident last night El Auja demilitarized zone. He was called to Israeli Foreign Ministry today and told that shortly after midnight last night Israeli unit attacked Egyptian detachment maintained in zone to guard MAC offices there, pursuant reciprocal agreement dating from 1949.2 Israelis wounded two Egyptian soldiers and drove remainder out of D/Z. Israelis thereafter established a “defensive position” in the zone consisting some fifty to seventy men. Foreign Ministry gave as reason this action continued existence two Egyptian checkposts at points shown by survey to be within Israeli territory in D/Z. Additional reason was recent activity of Egyptians in pulling down and destroying border markings established on basis survey boundaries of zone undertaken by Israelis beginning last February or March. Foreign Ministry said Israeli “defensive position” would be kept in zone until the two Egyptian check posts were removed and a proper survey made.
According Burns, Gohar had some months ago agreed to remove the checkposts and cooperate in survey. However, this agreement fell into abeyance following Gaza incident of February 28 and Israelis proceeded with survey alone. Removal of markers could represent unauthorized action local Egyptian military and thus possibly be indicative lack GOE control its personnel in area. On other hand, Israelis maintain in the zone a Kibbutz which has character of a thinly disguised military post rather than genuine agricultural settlement.
Burns is addressing letter to Israelis describing incident as “flagrant violation of GAA” and asking for immediate withdrawal of military force in zone. In consideration incident MAC chairman will also call on Egyptians to withdraw two checkposts and participate in survey. In Burns opinion immediate cause of incident evidently recent removal border markers by Egyptians.
Burns said that in view above developments he has cancelled proposed trip to Cairo scheduled for today. He hoped arrange [Page 497] another appointment with Nasser early next week for discussion SC resolution September 8. In conversation yesterday that matter with Tekoah latter told Burns Israelis willing consider question neutral zone along border Gaza strip, provided Egyptians first signify their acceptance idea of continuous barrier.Burns maintained his position to effect that proposals for separation parties military forces must be considered as a whole rather than piecemeal.
Burns told us that he would do his best convince each side other not unwilling consider proposals. He added that neutral zones 500 yards each side Gaza D/L would not affect Israeli settlements in vicinity since nearest of these are more than one kilometer east of D/L.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/9–2155. Confidential; Priority. Received at 3:58 p.m. Repeated priority to Cairo, Tel Aviv, Amman, London, and Paris; passed to USUN.↩
- For information concerning this agreement, which came into force with the signature of the Egypt-Israel General Armistice Agreement on February 24, 1949, see Foreign Relations, 1949, vol. VI, pp. 768–769.↩