684A.85/6–3050: Telegram
The Consul General at Jerusalem (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
142. Deptel 90, June 27.1 Israel–Jordan relations appear to have improved last week re border incidents. In Jordan–Israel MAC Jordan delegation has agreed to substantial reductions in number of Jordan complaints appearing on agenda referring many minor items to subcommittee or local commanders for solution. Frontier situation not endangering present status of truce although might offer casus belli. Principle evil [of] current border clashes is repressive effect on possibility peace negotiations. Recurring incidents anger populace both sides who in turn push respective governments to extremes.
Present deterioration frontier relationship due in great part to desire of Arabs to harvest crops on Israel side of demarcation line. Similar situation existed during 1949 harvest season but Israel Government more lenient in allowing Arabs cross lines for this purpose. In refusing permission individual cases Israel delegation MAC stated willingness discuss over-all problem in connection Article 8. Most clashes between Bedouins and Kibbutz members in border regions and not between Arab League [Legion] and Israel Army who are not controlling populace. Bedouins are not yet used to frontiers which are not clearly defined. Many destitute Arabs are located close to border near former properties and frequently raid nearby Kibbutz for livestock, food and farm equipment. Kibbutzim and local Israel Army commanders inclined to hasty retaliation without orders.
In order to ameliorate situation would suggest:
- (1)
- Closer cooperation between governments such as mixed patrols and substitution of police for army units;
- (2)
- Stronger control of populace near borders;
- (3)
- Possible frontier rectification in certain areas;
- (4)
- Greater discipline of Israeli commanders to enforce human treatment of infiltrees;
- (5)
- Cautioning of newspapers both sides to report objectively on matters pertaining to two governments (inflammatory newspaper reports are factors tending towards dividing two nations);
- (6)
- Pointing out to Jordan necessity of carrying out its armistice agreement with relation to Article 8 in renewing meetings of special committee at high level.
General Riley will arrive in Washington on or about July 4 for 10-day period. Department may desire to discuss problem with him.2
Sent Department 142; repeated info Tel Aviv 23, Amman 23, Department pass Amman.
- Not printed; it stated that the Department was disturbed by the recent deterioration in the Israeli-Jordanian frontier relationship and instructed that an appraisal of the situation be telegraphed (684A.85/6–2750).↩
- The Consulate General in Jerusalem, on June 30, reported information from General Riley that the Israeli representative on the Egyptian-Israeli Mixed Armistice Commission promised an investigation into the alleged unauthorized transfer of Arabs from Majdal to the Gaza strip. The Egyptians had alleged that Israeli police had transported the Arabs to the demarcation line for voluntary transfer without prior notice to, or agreement with, the Egyptian authorities (telegram 144, 884A.181/6–3050).↩