Wartime suspended incoming civilian mail: 19 VI 1940 comm cv ex postal bank ZURICH to bank in TLV ...

Wartime suspended incoming civilian mail: 19 VI 1940 comm cv ex postal bank ZURICH to bank in TLV franked 30Ra per period rate using machine cancel, halted midway & marked by odd lettered "Service postaL(sic) suspendu" handstamp; vert. fold; slit open at top. In June postal routes to Palestine via France were suspended due to France's fall, but until July mail to French Lebanon & Syria from Switz. still functioned. From Aug. 1940-Jul. 1941 no a/m service to Switz to Leb./Syr./Pal. at all. Italy-based route also not avail. as joined Axis 10 June. France surrendered 3 days after letter posted.