Labor Minister Yigal Allon warned Arab residents of the old sector of Jerusalem last night that Israel’s “humane approach and attitude” toward residents of occupied territory should not be construed as a sign of weakness. He spoke at a mass meeting of Givat Haim.
His warning was aimed at a number of Arab religious leaders who recently indicated resentment against the Israeli regime. Twenty-five Moslem lay and religious leaders in Old Jerusalem challenged Israel’s authority for the first time last Monday. They sent the Government a resolution stating that they did not recognize the “annexation” of the Old City. They said Old Jerusalem was only “occupied” and remained an “integral part of the Kingdom of Jordan.”
The Labor Minister warned that the Arab leaders might lead the Arab man on the street to disrespect of Israeli authority. He also stressed Israel’s attitude that it had no interest in any intermediate settlement with the Arab countries defeated in the June war, and would demand a final and lasting peace to end almost 20 years of Arab belligerence.
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