The possible effect of the assassination of King Abdullah of Jordan on Israel was discussed today by high Israeli officials in the Foreign Office here following a report on the matter made by Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett to President Chaim Weizmann. Mr. Sharett may also report on the situation to the Security and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Israeli Parliament.
Israeli authorities were today informed unofficially by the commander of the Arab Legion in the Jordan-held part of Jerusalem that the armed forces of the Legion have been increased in the Old City, but only “for internal purposes–to maintain law and order.”
A number of foreign diplomats today crossed from Israel into the Old City to attend the funeral of Abdullah. Members of the United Nations staff were not permitted by the Arab authorities to cross the lines at the same spot and had to make their way through Government House, which is situated in no man’s land.
As a result of the mass arrests in Jordan of Palestine Arabs suspected of membership in groups which planned the assassination, many Palestine Arabs today attempted to leave Jordan and return to Israel. A Cairo broadcast reported that more than 500 persons were arrested in Jordan yesterday, including two relatives of the former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem.
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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.