393. Editorial Note
At 7 p.m. in Jerusalem (noon in Washington), the Israeli Cabinet issued a statement in which it confirmed that mobilization activities were in progress and explained that units were being moved to the Jordan border in view of recent threats that foreign troops might enter that country. The Cabinet indicated that the mobilization was also made necessary by Fedayeen activity which constituted a serious threat to Israeli security. (The text of the Israeli statement was transmitted to the Department of State in telegram 423, October 29; Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/10–2956.)
Later on October 28, Ambassador Lawson reported from Tel Aviv that large-scale military action could be expected in the very near future, perhaps within the next 24 hours. According to Lawson, the country was apparently under almost complete mobilization with [Page 801] heavy equipment on the move and military check points established on roads from Jerusalem and in the south. The Ambassador reported that, because the Cabinet meeting had lasted all day, he had been unable to deliver President Eisenhower’s letter of October 27 to Ben Gurion, but that he had an appointment scheduled for 8 p.m. with the Prime Minister. (Telegram 422, October 28; ibid., 684A.86/10–2856)