HC Deb 23 March 1959 vol 602 cc86-7W
62. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been received from the Government of Israel with regard to the recent interference with Israeli shipping in the vicinity of the Suez Canal in contravention of the United Nations Resolution of October, 1956.

Mr. Profumo

The permanent representative of Israel at the United Nations has addressed to the permanent representative of Great Britain, as President of the Security Council, a letter for circulation to all members of the United Nations reporting that two ships, whose cargoes originated in Haifa, have recently been unloaded at Port Said on the instructions of the authorities of the United Arab Republic. The letter asserts that this action is contrary to the Security Council's resolutions of 1st September, 1951, and of 13th October, 1956, and to the position adopted by the Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly on other occasions; it also reserves the right of the Israel Government to take further action. The Israel Government have also informed Her Majesty's Government of the position through diplomatic channels.