Israeli Ambassador Yosef Tekoah has denounced Jordan’s accusation of Israel for the collapse of an inside wall in the El Aksa mosque, describing the charge as “vicious propaganda” that “demonstrates that the Jordanian government is not yet ready to replace hostility…with a serious search for understanding.” Tekoah was responding to a Feb. 14 letter from Jordan’s Ambassador to the UN to Secretary General Kurt Waldheim in which the accusation was made.
Tekoah said the wall came down Feb. 11 while Arab workers, employed by the Moslems Waqf authorities, were digging a foundation for new marble pillars brought recently from Rome. According to Tekoah, the supreme Moslem Council immediately issued a statement that the possibility of the wall collapse had been anticipated and precautionary measures had been taken. “In fact,” Tekoah added, “work is continuing normally under the direction of the Moslem authorities.”
The Military Governor is considering supplying Gaza Strip residents with arms for their protection against Arab terrorists, it was learned today. Weapons would be provided to those who asked for them in the wake of the murder Sunday of Deib Ismaeil el Artibb in the Gaza Strip and an attempt Monday on the life of former Gaza Mayor Rashid Shawa. Gaza residents, meanwhile, signed a petition to leaders in the Arab countries asking them to take measures to halt terrorist killings.
Israel’s Sephardi Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef took the occasion of a visit yesterday to Hebron to urge the government and the Jewish Agency to send new immigrants to Hebron and other settlements in the administered areas. Rabbi Yosef asked this be undertaken so that the immigrants “may be truly absorbed in the land.” The Chief Rabbi was the guest of the border police and the Hebron Jewish. settlers.
An Israeli film, “I Love You Rosa,” has been nominated as one of live foreign films for an Oscar Award this year. It was voted the best Israeli film of 1972 and was Israel’s entry at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival where it was very well received. It had its American premiere in New York earlier this month.
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