New Crisis Developing in Israeli-transjordan Relations; Arabs Charge Jews Violate Pacts

A new crisis has developed in Israeli-Transjordan relations during the last 48 hours.

The Transjordanians’ most recent complaint is that the Israelis are not living up to a mixed armistice commission agreement to evacuate the demilitarized area near the Government House in this city–the Jews are accused of continuing to repair houses in the war-torn zone. In addition the Arabs claim that the Israelis ousted some 1,500 Arab villagers in the “triangle” area of central Palestine in violation of the Rhodes armistice pact. The Israelis have denied the charge.

U.N. chief of staff Brig. Gen. William E. Riley, who was expected here today to preside over an urgent meeting of the mixed armistice commission which was to have considered these latest explosive issues, has not arrived. The Israelis are reported to have requested adjournment of the mixed body’s session because Gen. Riley is a vital figure in the picture, having personally discussed the issue with Transjordanian authorities in Amman.

(The New York Times reported today in a dispatch from Beirut that Transjordan plans to carry on independent negotiations with Israel even if the United Nations Conciliation Commission peace conference at Lausanne breaks down completely. The Times dispatch quoted as its source for the report an “extremely well-informed Arab source.”)

The Israeli Government will continue to do everything in its power to assure full rights to the Arab population of the state, Behor Shitreet, Minister of Police, said in Jaffa today in ceremonies marking the termination of military administration of this formerly Arab town and the establishment of civil authority. The Israeli official declared that the government had done everything in its power to protect its Arab citizens and their property throughout the war and he pledged that the civilian police would continue this policy.