684A.85/4–2453: Telegram
No. 599
The Consul at Jerusalem (Tyler) to the Department of State1
priority
142. Exchange of fire in Jerusalem on 22nd between armed forces Jordan and Israel most grimly serious threat to peace between two countries since armistice signed. UN not able to determine who fired first shot. Both sides agreed yesterday not to fire in Jerusalem area even if fired at unless an all-out attack was in progress. But after this meeting (Contel 139, April 23)2 three shots were fired from Israel side. Lt. Col. Gaon immediately visited lines and came back shaken. He had found, he told General Riley, the shots came from civilians who had installed themselves in house in no man’s land about 200 yards from American Consulate on Arab side. All police and army posts had been quiet.
One of civilians has been captured, the name of a second known and although Gaon was not explicit he fears a gang is abroad in Israel-Jerusalem. Whether terrorist, Herut revisionist, all matters for speculation, but this may go far to explain hitherto unexplained murders blamed on infiltrators (mytel 141, April 24).2 It may be they who started shooting on 22nd with intent to start larger armed action.
If there does prove to be a gang intent on getting Israel to war with neighbors, made easier by Israel’s too often repeated cry of [Page 1181] “infiltrators”, and Israel sincerely desires peace she could go far toward that goal by giving Arabs an apology. Such a boost to Arab morale would have far-reaching repercussions [garble] think they would be good. In any event Israel would gain stature in Western World and it would not be sign of weakness. She has shown her belligerence too often.