684A.85/11–3050: Telegram
The Consul General at Jerusalem (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
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120. AL placed roadblock on Beersheba–Elath Road November 29. Section road blocked is a by-pass and is undoubtedly in Jordan territory. On November 22, Jordan delegation had presented complaint to [Page 1066] Israeli-Jordan MAC that Israelis had constructed and were using road in Jordan territory. Complaint has not been acted upon.
Israeli Senior Delegate called Colonel De Ritter, Acting Chief of Staff, TSO, early morning November 30 demanding emergency meeting re incident. Delegate demanded that AL withdraw their troops from road and that Israelis be permitted to send their normal convoys over road.
Acting Chief of Staff contacted Senior Delegate Jordan who stated he was under instructions his government not to discuss question. This was at 10 a. m., November 30.
R. Shiloah, political adviser Israeli Government, informed Colonel De Ritter that Israeli Government would abide by any decision of MAC but that Israeli would not agree to stopping of convoys prior to decision of MAC since this section of road had been used for some 9 months without interference by Jordan authorities.
Between 3 and 4 p. m. November 30, Lieutenant Colonel Ramatti, Senior Delegate1 informed Colonel De Ritter that General Yadin, Israeli Chief of Staff, had stated that unless AL withdrew troops by 11 a. m. December 1, Israeli Government would resort to force to pass AL roadblocks.
At 6:30 p. m. General Yadin sent word to Colonel De Ritter, through Lieutenant Colonel Ramatti, Senior Israeli Delegate, that “since Jordan refused to discuss matter, it gave question an ominous portent, and that the Israeli Government restated its 11 a. m. December 1 ultimatum”.
UN observers stationed at Gaza, traveling from Gaza to Beersheba, reported morning November 30 that there were Israeli armored cars, artillery, and motorized units proceeding towards Beersheba southward, and that there was increased Israeli military activity in Beersheba.
Department pass Tel Aviv, Amman; sent Department 120, repeated information Tel Aviv 9, Amman 7.
- On the Mixed Armistice Commission.↩