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

684A.85/5–2653: Telegram

No. 619
The Chargé in Israel (Russell) to the Department of State¹

secret

Tel Aviv, May 26, 1953—4 p.m.

1795. Reference Embassy telegrams 1791,² 1787,³ 1783,⁴ and 1782.⁵ Tension Israel-Jordan border remains high. Emergency meeting Israel-Jordan MAC scheduled today. Problem of border security main item of May 24 meeting Israel Cabinet at which report supposedly made on establishment special frontier police force as separate unit within Israel police force.

While Embassy believes United States and other tripartite powers should under no circumstances countenance proposed Israel action reported Embassy telegram 1782, it is important we continue efforts reduce basic cause of present tension. Prime Minister’s expression of willingness renew local commanders’ agreement (Embassy telegram 1787) is step forward, however small and offers possible opening for further steps ameliorate present state of Israel–Jordan border relations.

Israel leaders state their belief that present situation on border is result of deliberate Jordan policy encourage, through inactivity, harassment of Israel by infiltrators and cite as confirmation failure Jordan reply to memorandum on infiltration (Embassy telegram 1515)⁶ and reluctance Jordan Government accept Riley suggestion for high level meetings. Opinion advanced by some that Jordan behavior is part of coordinated Arab strategy to weaken and eventually destroy Israel and that through infiltration Arabs have found means of in effect engaging in warfare without risking full consequences.

Police and Military leaders express belief that much of recent killing and stealing committed by organized gangs operating out of Jordan, some of which engaged only in robbery, others in robbery and incidental killing and some with purely political motivation engaged primarily in killing. As instance of former Inspector General Israel Police Sachar says Genauirs (Embassy telegram 1636)⁷ were killed by three members of Arab gang active in New City Jerusalem area for past three years who have customarily combined robbery and killing. As instance latter, believes killing of two soldiers Tel Mond (Embassy telegram 1550)⁸ and Azriel crime (Embassy telegram 1715)⁷ committed by gang financed by Mufti, “interested only in murder” and “under operational leadership of doctor and Arab Legion officer married to British subject”. Usual response to queries as to whether Israel makes such information available to Jordan authorities through MAC is in negative, accompanied by argument “it would do no good” which fact “only makes police and army task more difficult”. Contention is that when local commanders agreement was in effect Jordan authorities reluctant follow through with preventative measures, arrests, and adequate punishment.

Even if above Israel beliefs are exaggerations (General Riley tells me he not able form firm opinion concerning Israel police contention re organized gangs), would seem desirable encourage Jordan meet directly present Israel lack of confidence in Jordan motives. Department may wish use Prime Minister’s reply to Secretary (Embassy telegram 1787) to call attention Jordan Government to Secretary’s personal intervention and express hope Jordan Government will cooperate and endeavor demonstrate that Israel contention Jordan unwilling take effective action against guilty parties has no foundation in fact. At same time we should urge Israel as its contribution to more effective implementation local commanders agreement to provide Jordan authorities information it states it has re identity of persons committing crimes from Jordan territory.

Russell

1. Repeated to Jerusalem, Amman, London, and Paris.
2. Supra.
3. Document 617.
4. Document 615.
5. Document 614.
6. Not printed, but see footnote 4, Document 595.
7. Not printed.
8. Not printed, but see footnote 2, Document 593.
7. Not printed.