Egypt’s Ambition Blamed For Middle East Crisis

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27913, 9 March 1956, Page 11

Egypt’s Ambition Blamed For Middle East Crisis

(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON. March 8. "Harassing tactics by Egypt in the Gaza border area region appear to be growing more serious and are causing concern in Israel,” states "The Times” correspondent in Jerusalem. “It is felt that recent events in Jordan, which are thought to have been the outcome of the Egyptian conspiracy. may have encouraged the military authorities in the Gaza Strip to increase sabotage and other provocative operations against Israel. “The incidents along the Egyptian border are regarded as part of a deliberate policy of the Egyptian Army ■Command which, the Israelis believe. can now’ take advantage of General Glubb’s removal from the Arab Legion, to make use of Jordan territory as a refuge for irregulars' opeialons from Gaza through the lonely country leading to the Hebron hills, and to carry out similar operations from Jordan itself, in the manner attempted and forestalled by General Glubb’s precautions last autumn. 'The Israel Army expects this subtle tvre of guerrilla operations from Gaza and Jordar to develop rapidly if only because of Colonel Nasser’s desire to continue to impress the Jordan mob. It. srgues that he must increasingly •tir the emotions of the peoples of all

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

Arab countries with evidence of his capacity to strike at Israel in their name, * first by provocative frontier warfare, and finally by carrying out a ‘liberating’ war from Egypt, Jordan and Svria.

“Onlv thus, it is reasoned, can he bring about the conditions that would make it possible for him to establish the dominion he craves for Egypt over all Arab countries of the Middle East and Africa. "There is no shaking Israel’s conviction that Colonel Nasser, however urbanely modest he may seem to his Western visitors, is moved by his dream of Egyptian suzerainty over the Arab world and hopes to achieve it steo by step. “The first step was the ejection of Britain from the‘Suez Canal Zone and the most recent the removal of British authority from the Arab Legion "Colonel Nasser’s determination to force out Western influence, using Israel as the popular focus of that influence. is said to be the real cause of his association with the Russians. ‘ The Israelis insist that early in this process, and resulting naturally from Egypt's success in getting what amounts to control of the Arab Legion. Jordan’s Hashemite King will be removed from his throne and Jordan will lose its independence.”