Office of the Historian

160. Telegram From the Embassy in Syria to the Department of State1

Damascus, March 5, 1956—noon

826. Deptel 674.2 Following account March 3–4 incident given ARMATT by ISMAC observers: Night March 3–4 two Israeli police boats landed eastern shore Sea of Galilee, one approximately one kilometer north of Moussadiyea village, second up small creek one kilometer further north past demilitarized zone and about 400 meters in Syrian territory. Fighting followed, apparently between Syrian civilians and boat crews. Two Israeli policemen killed, two missing, all from second boat. Third boat believed to have been waiting offshore. [Page 292] Second boat, which had been captured by Syrians, and two dead were returned to Israelis through ISMAC following Israeli threat to shell shore unless they were returned. Syrians claim Israeli boat landed two or three nights ago and that purpose these landings was espionage. Morning March 4 another fight occurred between Israeli police boat and Syrian cavalry patrol with Israelis forced withdraw. Further details in ARMATT message CX–76.3

Statement by Syrian military spokesman in press March 5 charged Israelis with attempts land “armed units” for purposes of espionage. Attempts were repelled by “soldiers and local guardsmen” who suffered no casualties. Spokesman characterized incident as “another proof of Israel’s aggressive intentions and its disrespect for UNTSO and SC resolutions”.

Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ghazzi is in Cairo with no one acting in his place. I will therefore see Acting President Qudsi at noon today to make appropriate representations.4

Moose
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 683.84A/3–556. Confidential; Niact. Received at 7:28 a.m. Repeated to Amman, Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Jidda, Jerusalem, London and Tel Aviv.↩
  2. Document 158.↩
  3. Not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, 683.84A/3–556)↩
  4. Ambassador Moose reported in telegram 830 from Damascus, March 5, that he saw Acting President Qudsi at noon and stated that officials in the Department were “concerned because Israelis claimed Syrians were holding captives and had, in interest of peace, instructed me to express hope GOS would take no action which would increase tension or chance of conflict.” Qudsi replied that Syria was holding no Israeli prisoners, and that strict orders had been issued to Syrian forces to hold their fire unless the Israelis again set foot on Syrian soil. (Ibid.)↩