501.BB Palestine/8–1748: Telegram
The Consul General at Jerusalem (Macdonald) to the Secretary of State
1202. For practical purposes truce in Jerusalem broken down at least for present. Firing involving use automatic weapons, mortars and artillery resumed last night and is continuing this morning. Fighting during past three nights has been on large and organized scale as distinct from scattered firing and sniping prevalent since start second truce.
United Nations observers appear powerless take effective action bring about cease-fire. Their moral authority has practically evaporated. Jewish authorities obstructing work United Nations observers: [Page 1318] movements restricted, denied access certain areas and permitted visit front lines only specified times.
Sent Department 1202, repeated Cairo 114, Baghdad 13, Beirut 72, Damascus 31. Department please pass London as 30.