Israel Tells Security Council It Holds Jordan Responsible for Murder Acts

Israel advised the Security Council last night that it holds the Jordanian Government fully responsible for “the organized acts of murder, terrorism and sabotage against defense forces and the civilian population, perpetrated by armed groups infiltrating across the cease-fire line” and intends to exercise “its right and duty” to take all necessary measures against them. Ambassador Yosef Tekoah referred to the mining of the school bus on a Negev road yesterday and said it climaxed a series of violations of the cease-fire and a campaign of terror emanating from Jordan.

“From all the evidence and information available to us,” he said, “it is clear to my Government that the Government of Jordan is taking no effective step to curb these activities. On the contrary, the training, organization and despatch of these raids are openly carried out on Jordan territory. Moreover. Jordanian and Iraqi army units and positions in the vicinity of the cease-fire line increasingly assist the raids and provide covering fire for them. My Government cannot sufficiently stress the gravity of the situation that is being created, and the heavy strain it is imposing on the structure of the cease-fire. My Government must maintain its right and duty to take all necessary measures for the security of the territory and population under its jurisdiction.”