An Israeli soldier was seriously wounded here today in a new outbreak of “unauthorized” fire from Jordan troops stationed near the Mandelbaum Gate. The firing was aimed at Israelis preparing to ascend Mt. Scopus in the regular bi-weekly convoy, which left later and climbed the height without further incident.
Today’s firing, at two separated intervals, provided a baptism by bullets for Canadian Col. James Ricky, who succeeded the late Lt. Col. George A. Flint as chairman of the Israel-Jordan Mixed Armistice Commission, and in this capacity was present to inspect the Israeli convoy. Col. Flint died May 26 of wounds received when he attempted to rescue a number of Israeli policemen shot down on Mt. Scopus during six hours of withering fire from Jordanian snipers.
In the first burst of fire today, no one was hurt. Jordanian officers present at the convoy’s marshalling site hastily explained the “unauthorized” nature of the firing. Israeli officials accepted the explanation and, after a period of quiet, resumed the marshalling of men, vehicles and supplies.
Once again an “undisciplined soldier” let loose with a Sten gun, seriously wounding an Israeli soldier in a platoon in position near the still unmoving convoy. The Jordanian officers renewed their assurances that there was no intention of interfering with convoy and eventually it took off for Mt. Scopus.
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