Israel was watching developments in Jordan today calmly, while the United States 6th Fleet was ordered to move immediately back to eastern Mediterranean waters in connection with the crisis in Jordan. It is assumed that the American fleet units may patrol near the Israeli coast, which is the nearest to Jordan.
Seen from Jerusalem rooftops, the Jordan-held part of Jerusalem looked like a deserted place today. No people were seen on the streets, except armed groups of the Arab Legion who were patrolling the Old City. Violent demonstrations and shooting were heard yesterday in the Old City; but, after the curfew was imposed, everything was quiet.
While the shootings took place, the Israel military commander of the Jerusalem district, Col. Chaim Herzog–former military attache in Washington–met with Arab Legion commanders for what was described as a “routine conference” but apparently with a view to ascertain the atmosphere prevailing among the Jordanians.
King Hussein of Jordan, in a broadcast today, made provocative remarks against Israel. He asserted that the internal dissension in Jordan now has been stimulated by an agents working for Israel. “He said this despite the fact that an Israeli Foreign Office spokesman said yesterday that Israel wants King Hussein to stay in power and does not want Jordan “to fall apart.” The spokesman emphasized that “Israel will do nothing, if Jordan stays as it is, ” but refused to make any prediction as to what Israel will be prepared to do in case Jordan is torn to pieces by Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
