The American Embassy urged American citizens today to leave the country without delay in view of the increased tension in the Middle East. The Embassy is arranging for the evacuation of all women and children of its officials as soon as transportation is available.
Premier David Ben Gurion today sent a reply to President Eisenhower’s pleas to him for restraint. The reply, conveyed through U.S. Ambassador Edward B. Lawson, outlined the reasons for Israel’s partial mobilization. Mr. Ben Gurion reportedly assured President Eisenhower that Israel’s own interests require peace. The Premier also conferred today with French Ambassador Pierre Gilbert.
The Cabinet met for two hours today and heard reports by various Ministers on the status of food and medical stockpiles. A scheduled appearance by Premier Ben Gurion before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, was cancelled at the last minute this afternoon.
Town and village governments gave civil defense preparations top priority over all other activities today. In the three large cities, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, special committees were organized to handle situations arising from the partial mobilization which has already upset many normal activities.
The government has been announcing that there is enough food in reserve stocks to last six months. There have been no attempts at hoarding.
Constant streams of volunteers flowed in and out of emergency bloodbanks today in cities throughout the country. In Jerusalem recent immigrants still in Oriental costume mingled in blood donor queues with Yeshiva students and women of all ages.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
