While the situation in Jordan is undeniably critical, since the bomb-assassination last week of Prime Minister Majall, there is a feeling among experts here that King Hussein will, once more, succeed in riding out the storm. The reports about “deteriorating” conditions in Jordan, the analysts point out, are being. circulated, directly or indirectly, by United Arab Republic Government circles in Cairo.
Informed Israeli circles believe that Nasser understands that, should he attempt to take over Jordan, thus encircling Israel with UAR troops, Israel could not stand by passively in the face of such danger. However, the Israel Government has not re-stated this well-understood thesis publicly.
A Government spokesman refused today to confirm or deny that a communication was received from United Nations Secretary General Dag HammarskJold asking Israel to refrain from any action in connection with the bomb assassination of Jordanian Premier Majali,
According to the report, Mr. Hammarskjold sent the same request to all Middle East states, urging them to maintain the status quo and not to aggravate the tensions following the Jordanian upheaval. Despite the “no comment ” position, it was believed such a communication had been received and that Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion had outlined a reply at the meeting of the Israel Cabinet Sunday.
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.
