While no official comment was forthcoming here today from the United Nations on the Israel Government’s action in moving its Foreign Ministry to Jerusalem, concern was voiced by several delegations over the move.
An attitude similar to that voiced by the United States was disclosed by the British delegation. A delegation spokesman said he thought that with the present Jordan-Israel trouble, this was not a suitable time and the move would add to the tension in the area. He declared that the status of Jerusalem had not yet been fixed by the United Nations and that Israel’s position there might be considered “de facto” rather than “de jure.” The present move, he said, prejudged the issue.
Similar views were expressed by other delegations which recalled that the issue of the internationalization of Jerusalem is still subject to debate here and a resolution for this is still pending.
The Palestine Conciliation Commission which, under its terms of reference does not take an initiative, has not yet received any complaint over the Israel move. When the Israel Government originally announced its intention to transfer the Foreign Office to Jerusalem, the Arab states made a formal protest to the Commission.
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