The Israel Army during the past few days carried out the largest-scale maneuvers ever held in this country, it was disclosed today. Premier David Ben Gurion, who is also Israel’s Defense Minister, witnessed the exercises which were carried out by large infantry and artillery units.
Meanwhile, the Israel Army announced that it has decided to create a frontier force to safeguard the Jewish state’s borders against infiltrating marauders. The special unit will also maintain order and check on security in settlements lying close to the state’s boundaries. Conditions of service and pay in this force will be similar to those extant in the regular army.
Members of the force will be drawn from the ranks of volunteers possessing the “highest qualifications,” the Army announced, adding that the frontier unit will be an integral part of the Israel Army. The force–which will be equipped with motorized and cavalry units–will use as its slogan, “Unrestricted Loyalty for Protection of the Frontiers.”
Meanwhile, it was announced in Jerusalem today that a group of Israel and Transjordan representatives will meet this week to discuss water and electricity facilities for the Old City. Israel has reportedly agreed to provide such facilities to the Arab-held Old City on condition that the Transjordanians open the road to beleaguered Mount Scopus, site of the Hadassah Medical Center and the Hebrew University. Amman spokesmen are said, however, to feel that providing access to Mt. Scopus is too “high a price for the water of Bethlehem.”
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