Israeli troops today provided a protective guard for a work gang bringing power lines into the Israeli half of the village of Beit Safafa, on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Jordan troops yesterday halted the work.
The Arab village, divided in half by the demarcation lines, has never had electricity. However, the Israelis have begun preparations for the introduction of power to the section which lies inside Israel. The power will be supplied by Jerusalem’s grid.
When workers for the power company began putting up poles and stringing lines yesterday, Arab Legionnaires threw stones at them. When this failed to halt the Israeli construction crew, the Arab troops ordered the Israelis–at gunpoint– to halt their work. The day was lost as a working period but today an Israeli military force accompanied the workers and work was resumed.
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