An impassioned plea to the Security Council to act to halt Arab warfare, particularly Jordanian, against Israel, was made in the Security Council here today by Ambassador Yosef Tekoah of Israel. He addressed the body after Ambassador Muhammed H. El-Farra, of Jordan had repeated accusations that Israel was persecuting and harassing the Arab residents of Jerusalem. Mr. El.-Farra was the first speaker this afternoon as the Council resumed its two-week-old debate on the situation.
Mr. Tekoah told the Council that in the last three weeks, Jordanian military positions had attacked Israeli villages and Israeli forces with artillery and mortar fire “no less than 25 times.” He said that “Israel comes before the Security Council in plea not to allow this warfare to continue.” He detailed recent attacks by Jordanian army regulars and by commando units, some of whom have Egyptian army uniforms and some who had crossed into Israel from Jordan after coming to Jordan from Syria.
Mr. Tekoah rejected everyone of Jordan’s charges of persecution and harassment of the Arabs in Jerusalem. He cited the reaction of Jerusalem Arabs, including some of the most prominent Arab families in the city, as being extremely cooperative with the Israel Government authorities and appreciative of Israel’s extreme care given to all holy places, including Moslem and Christian shrines and institutions.
“We are fully aware,” he said, “of the challenges that remain to be met. We cannot expect all of the 60,000 Arab inhabitants of East Jerusalem to show friendship to the 200,000 Jews of the city. We do hope, however, that the animosity of the few would not be used to harass and injure the many. We do also affirm without any hesitation that whatever measures have been taken in the last ten months, are aimed at ensuring the welfare of the city and the happiness of its people. We do say that the situation today, for Jew and Arab alike, is better than in the years of division and Jordanian occupation in Eastern Jerusalem.
“This is Jerusalem today — a venture in co-existence, a trial of faith,’ he declared. “After all these years of hostility and suffering, Jerusalem is still groping on its way. But Jews and Arabs in it are already living together, working together, building together and dreaming together the dream of peace. For the first time in 19 years, Israelis and Arabs talk to one another, shake hands and some times even smile at each other. If, at long last, agreement and peace will come to the area, it will have drawn much of its inspiration from united Jerusalem.
“If the beginnings of understanding and community sprouting today in Jerusalem were impaired, peace would be dealt a grievous blow. They must be nurtured with utmost care for in them are the real interests of the people of the Middle East.” The Security Council will resume sessions on Thursday afternoon.
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