Egyptian Decree Regarding Suez Canal (February 6, 1950) In May
1948, as Egyptian forces were invading Palestine, the Egyptian
Government established a maritime blockade against Israel-bound
shipping. Ships suspected of sailing to Israel were detained and
searched, goods bound for Israel or suspected of being destined
for Israel were confiscated Shipmasters had to produce a
guarantee that their ships would not call in Israeli ports. This
practice was in defiance of the Israel-Egypt armistice agreement
and its interpretation by Dr. Ralph Bunche dated 26 July 1949.
On 6 February 1950, the Egyptian Government promulgated a decree
regarding navigation in the Suez Canal and published it in the
Egyptian Official Journal (No. 36) on 8 April 1950. Text
follows: Decree on the procedure of ship and airplane searches
and of seizure of contraband goods in connexion with the
Palestine War We, Farouk I, King of Egypt, Having regard to
article 4 of law No. 32 of 1950 concerning the Prize Council, On
the proposal of the Minis