Talks between Col. Moshe Dayan, Israeli military commander for the Jerusalem area, and Lt. Col. Abdullah Bey el Tel, his Arab Legion counterpart, were renewed here last night as part of current Israeli-Trans-Jordan armistice negotiations. It is understood that el Tel proposed the return to the Arabs of Jerusalem’s Arab quarters which were conquered by the Jews. He also urged the internationalization of the New City and placing of the Old City under King Abdullah’s rule.
Premier David Ben Gurion, who arrived here yesterday, along with some of his political advisors, heard Col. Dayan’s report on the demands which the Jews would present. These demands are kept secret.
Ben Gurion envisaged Jerusalem as Israel’s political, cultural and economic capital in a public address here last night. We will never consider giving up parts of the country or of Jerusalem that were captured by the Israeli Army,” he asserted. “Jerusalem has always played the most important role in Jewish history. Now, no less than at any other time, Jerusalem occupies an exclusive position not only in Jewish, but in the world’s life, and must pay for this exclusiveness,” he said.
The Israeli Premier revealed steps which the government is planning for the city’s economic development, including the transfer of the diamond, watch-making and similar industries to Jerusalem.
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