Israel Government Accepts Truce Decision; Offers “observations: to U.N. Mediator

The Provisional Government of Israel today informed United Nations mediator Count Folke Bernadotte that it has accepted his truce proposal. A cease-fire order will be issued to all Israeli commanders to go into effect for four weeks on Friday, June 11, at six A.M., G.M.T. (two A.M., New York time), providing the Arabs do the same.

A note from Israeli Foreign Minister Moshe Shertok to Count Bernadotte, advising him of Israel’s acceptance of his decision, as well as of its readiness to issue a cease-fire for four weeks, was released here. Shertok’s statement said that “while not attaching any conditions to this decision, the Provisional Government of Israel finds it necessary to make the following observations”:

1. In the past 48 hours, the Arabs have had opportunities for further oral consultations with Count Bernadotte in Cairo, while the Jews have not.

2. The Provisional Government of Israel will regard as unjustified any attempt to interfere with the normal flow of Jewish immigrants to Israel, since the Security Council’s a resolution did not envisage any preventing or delaying measures in connection with the entry of Jewish immigrants to Israel, irrespective of age or sax.

3. She Provisional Government of Israel assumes that any attempts by the Arab Governments to impose a commercial blockade against Israel by confiscating or holding up the flow of normal supplies to Israel will be regarded by the mediator as a war-like act and will be prohibited.

4. The provision about the form in which relief will be administered, the Provisional Government of Israel assumes, will not affect those parts of Jerusalem which are in Jewish hands and which may have been secured by Jewish forces at the time the cease-fire and truce begin.

5. The Provisional Government notes with satisfaction Count Bernadotte’s acceptance as valid the Jewish contention it is unwarranted to institute strict control over the movement of Jewish immigrants during the initial truce phase, while simultaneously leaving unchecked possible troop and war materiel movements from one Arab country to another or into Palestine. The Provisional Government of Israel welcomes Count Bernadotte’s assurance he will “adjust policy on this matter. “

6. If Count Bernadotte’s cease-fire and truce proposals are rejected by the Arabs, and the whole matter is consequently referred back to the Security Council, the Provisional Government of Israel reserves the right to revert to its original position regarding the interpretation of the provisions of the Security Council’s resolution of May 29 without being committed to any concessions implied in its present acceptance of Count Bernadotte’s proposals.

7. The Provisional Government of Israel hopes that if a cease-fire and truce materialize, Count Bernadotte will find it possible to extend to both parties equality of contact and access to him.