Complete rejection of charges of mistreatment by the Israelis of 120 Arab infiltrees sent back across the Transjordan border May 31 was contained in a communique issued here today.
The communique stated that adequate food was supplied the Arabs and they were not mistreated during the time they were in the custody of Israel troops. The government statement disclaimed any responsibility for the treatment accorded the infiltrees once they crossed the Transjordan border. It added that the “blame must be placed firmly on the shoulders of the Transjordan authorities” who permitted the infiltrees to cross the border into Israel.
As a result of the transjordan authorities inefficient control of their border population 107 Jews and 27 Israel Arabs have been murdered by infiltrees in the last 18 months and 74 Jews and 30 Arabs have been wounded, the communique revealed. It specified that the figures do not include casualties among the Bedouins of Israel about which detailed data is not yet available.
“The Israel Defense Army has been charged with the defense of Israel frontiers and will continue to take energetic measures to prevent the violation of our borders and to guarantee the security of our people,” the communique concluded.
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