Israel Cabinet Discusses Jerusalem Security; U.N. Body to Mediate Dispute with Jordan

Israel’s security, especially the situation of the Jerusalem area which recently became a serious problem as a result of the incidents of the last few days on the Israel-Jordan border around the city, was discussed today at a meeting of the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, former high ranking officers of the Haganah met yesterday for four hours to consider ways and means of combatting the increasing number of attacks on Jews by Arab bands which make quick forays into Israel territory for purposes of looting Jewish homes and farms. Two Jews were killed and three others seriously wounded earlier this week by marauding Arab infiltrees and Arab Legionnaires.

United Nations observers late last night confirmed Arab reports of a Jewish raid on the Arab town of Shaafat, located inside the Jordan lines about one mile south of Jerusalem. Nine Arabs were killed and eight others wounded by the Jewish irregulars. The raid was in retaliation for the attacks on the five Jews. The full extent of the damage is not yet known.

Col. Bennet de Ridder, United Nations chairman of the Israel-Jordan Mixed Armistice Commission, today informed the Israel authorities that he had received a complaint from Jordan on the Shaafat incident. He summoned an urgent meeting of the commission after Jordan agreed to Israel’s terms that Israel complaints on the incidents which preceded the raid on Shaafat be discussed by the Commission first.

The Israel-Syrian Mixed Armistice Commission met yesterday on Syrian territory adjacent to the Bnot Yaacov bridge. The representatives of both governments decided to take further measures to prevent border incidents along the Israel-Syrian frontier. The Syrians reiterated their promise that Jewish fishermen would not be attacked while fishing in Lake Tiberias.