Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

684A.85/4–1453: Telegram

No. 594
The Chargé in Jordan (Lynch) to the Department of State¹

confidential

Amman, April 14, 1953—8 a.m.

866. Re Tel Aviv Embtels 1550,² 1560,³ 1566.⁴ Embassy concerned over tension developing in Israel over alleged deterioration of border situation. As indicated Embtel 785⁵ Arab Legion believes Israel exaggerating and falsifying specific cases of Arab infiltration for some ulterior motive. It claims border is quieter at present than at any time since the local commanders agreement was denounced by Israel last January.

Legion questions whether murder of two Israeli soldiers night April 5 was committed by Arab infiltrators. “Footprints to Jordan border” hardly considered sound evidence, particularly since Qalqilia area built up and densely populated. Support given this view by fact that MAC investigations found insufficient evidence to establish Jordanian guilt.

While Embassy realizes that conflicting views regarding border incidents are inevitable, it has found Arab Legion intelligence reports restrained and on the whole accurate in the past. Present state of publicity on border situation in Israeli press, with some articles apparently complete distortions of facts, seems follow an unpleasantly familiar pattern (Embtels 569⁶ and 594).⁷ Embassy does not believe that there is any deliberate terrorism by dispossessed Arabs. There is too much evidence to contrary. Jordan Government believed sincerely desirous peaceful border and to be making real effort curb infiltration (Embtel 642⁸) and eliminate sources of tension. Jordan does not have anything to gain by “maintaining tension on border” or “provoking retaliation” (Tel Aviv 1566).

While Embassy does not expect Israeli armed military attacks such as occurred in January and February after similar press campaign, it is apprehensive over what may be developing. Embassy wonders whether present Israel allegations that border situation has worsened do not again aim at demonstrating Arab misuse of arms and thus inadvisability of arms aid to Arab States. Perhaps principal Israeli fear is now of United States arms aid to Egypt.

Lynch

1. Repeated to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, London, Beirut, Damascus, and Baghdad.
2. Not printed, but see footnote 2, supra.
3. Telegram 1560 from Tel Aviv, Apr. 10, reported that ceremonies to which members of the diplomatic corps would be invited in connection with Israel’s Independence Day included a President’s reception in Jerusalem and a reception at Hakirya on Apr. 21. Chargé Russell and his British colleague agreed that they would not attend the Jerusalem reception, but Russell was inclined to send another officer of the Embassy in view of the Israeli Government’s Hakirya gesture. (884A.424/4–1053)
4. Supra.
5. Not printed.
6. Not printed.
7. Document 548.
8. Document 556.