Five rabbis who formerly officiated in the Old City here went into the ancient quarter today for the first time since the demolished section’s outnumbered Jewish defenders surrendered to Arab Legion forces. They will ascertain the extent of damage inflicted on the old City’s religious sites.Their visit was arranged by a United Nations truce Commission member and Abdullah el Tel, Arab Legion commander in the old City.
Meanwhile, a Jewish delegation accompanied by officials of the U.N. Truce Commission, and including Dr. Werner Senator of the Hebrew University and Dr. Eli Davies, acting director of the Hadassah medical program in Palestine, yesterday crossed Arab lines and Journeyed up Mount Scopus to inspect the University and the Hadassah Hospital. The party was Interested ‘in assessing the damage to the two institutions and in salvaging whatever school and hospital equipment can still be used.
A Jewish spokesman told correspondents here today it is hoped that a daily 200-truck food convoy will now begin to arrive in Jerusalem, following the arrival yesterday of the first convoy bearing 400 tons of food, which were immediately distributed. For the first time in two months, Jerusalem’s Jewish residents today had fresh vegetables on their tables.
It is believed hare that fuel oil to enable the electric lighting and power plants to resume operations will be brought in shortly. There is no indication as yet, however, as to when water will be pumped up to the city’s residents from the River Yarkon reservoir.
According to a statistical analysis published in the Hebrew press today some 500,000 Arabs have fled Palestine since the war broke out, while only about 40,000 remain within the territory of Israel. It is estimated that the Arabs have suffered losses amounting to nearly $400,000,000 in goods, real property and crops abandoned in their flight.
(President Truman has nominated John J. MacDonald to be the American representative on the frees Commission in Palestine to replace Thomas C. Wasson, who was killed recently by a sniper’s bullet during the fighting, it was reported in Washington today, MacDonald, a 40-year-old career diplomat, has served as U.S. Consul-General in Calcutta and has also held diplomatic posts in China and in the last Indies. At the same time, it was announced that three U.S. destroyers have been made available to U.N. mediator Count Falke Bernadette. The vessels are now part of the Mediterranean fleet. The 50 U.N. gourds assigned to Bernadette by U.N. Secretary-General Trygve lie age expected to arrive in Palestine today.)
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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.
