684A.85/4–1153: Telegram
No. 593
The Chargé in Israel (Russell) to the Department of State1
1566. Director General Foreign Ministry Eytan raised with me yesterday morning situation on Israel–Jordan border, stating that Israel Government “seriously worried”. Was strongly critical of De Ridder’s refusal call emergency MAC meeting on Kfar Hess killing (Embassy telegram 1550).2 Argued that MAC agenda now clogged, that purpose of emergency meeting is enable MAC isolate serious incidents and that latest decision De Ridder bound to encourage people responsible for killing. Saw possible first indication of latter in machine gun wounding of woman and 21 year old son in same area night of April 8. He mentioned that last two incidents had [Page 1171] taken place in particularly delicate area and stated that under present circumstances Israel had no idea what, if anything, Jordan doing to stop this nor “any guaranty” same thing would not happen again. Concluded by saying that he did not know whether purpose was “merely maintain tension on border” or provoke retaliation, but hoped means could be found discourage such activity.
Comment: Fact that Israel Government despite general uneasiness over recent incidents (Embassy telegram 1562)3 has apparently replaced reprisal policy with approach to western powers is step forward. To encourage this change Department may wish again to call attention of Jordan Government to fact that our insistence that Israel not pursue policy of reprisals implies Jordan responsibility take effective measures combat infiltration. End comment.
- Repeated to Amman and Jerusalem.↩
- Telegram 1550 from Tel Aviv, Apr. 8, reported details of the Israeli Government’s report of the killing on the night of Apr. 5 of two 18-year-old soldiers between Kfar Hess and Tel Mond, well within Israeli territory. In a conversation with Ambassador Davis, Bendor, Director of the United States Division of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, referred to other border incidents of the last 2 months, and recalled Davis’ conversation of Feb. 19 with Sharett (see telegram 1348 from Tel Aviv, Document 573). Bendor repeated that Israel would welcome advice on how to protect lives and property “‘without fighting back,’” and requested that the United States impress on Jordan the need for keeping peace and controlling infiltration. The Embassy understood that similar approaches had been made to British, French, and Turkish representatives. (684A.85/4–853)↩
- Telegram 1562 from Tel Aviv, Apr. 10, summarized Israeli press comment on the subject of recent border infiltration (684A.85/4–1053).↩