Israeli Seized by Jordanians for Crossing Border Reports on Mistreatment of Prisoners

Col. Bennett de Ridder, U.N. acting chief of staff here, was today considering action on a complaint brought before him by Noah Haimson, a 31-year-old Israeli, who reported on treatment accorded to Jews seized by Jordanian officials and interned in a prison reminiscent of medieval days.

Haimson, a laborer, said that he was picked up by Jordanian authorities last May after he had unwittingly crossed the unmarked Israel-Jordan demarcation line. He was blindfolded and immediately driven to a Jordan Arcry camp where three British officers and a Briton who is believed to have been at one time a member of the mised armistice commission, and is now employed by the Jordan intelligence service, questioned him repeatedly concerning Israel weapons, troop concentrations and the location of the new Israel parliament building in Jerusalem.

The Israeli said that he was beaten throughout the interrogation and for 31 days was confined to a solitary cell in which he was unable to lie down. He reported that there was no water to wash with or sanitary facilities of any kind. Later, he was transferred to a larger cell with 12 other Jewish prisoners. The diet consisted of 60 grams of Arab bread and three olives for breakfast, a bowl of peas for lunch and a small bowl of rice for supper.

Several days ago all of the Jewish prisoners were handcuffed, taken to a small room and beaten severely. A new Jewish prisoner was later brought in, as Haimson was released. He appeared to be suffering from a fractured skull and was covered with blood. Jewish authorities here are understood to be seeking permission to send a physician across the lines to attend the Israel prisoner. Haimson’s father, who was present during the latter’s report to the U.N. official, said he was unable to recognize his son because he had lost so much weight.