U.N. Mediator Expected to Propose “partitioning” of Jerusalem; Israeli Court Dedicated

U.N. mediator Count Folke Bernadotte, whose informal proposal to put Jerusalem under Arab rule provoked strong Jewish protests, is expected to start discussions here today with Arab and Jewish representatives on a new scheme under which Jerusalem would allegedly be “partitioned” into separate Jewish and Arab administrative units.

The scheme is not welcomed by either the Jews or the Arabs. An outright demand that the Israeli Government transfer its capital from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was voiced today at the opening ceremony of the First Israeli District Court here which will function in the chambers formerly occupied by the Palestine Supreme Court under the British mandatory regime.

The demand to proclaim Jerusalem as the Israeli capital was voiced by Isaac Ben Zvi, president of the Jewish National Council, and by Magistrate Benjamin Levy, who will preside in the District Court. Dr. Dov Joseph, Israeli military governor for Jerusalem, in an address at the dedication ceremonies, expressed the hope that the military administration of the city would be terminated soon and that it would be incorporated into the state of Israel as its capital. The District Court was opened in the presence of Israeli Chief Justice Dr. Felix Rosenblueth and other high Israeli and Jerusalem dignitaries.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Government decided today to establish a 27-man Jerusalem Council to assist Military Governor Joseph in his work, in addition to the Five-man cabinet commission which is administering the part of Jerusalem considered as Israeli-occupied territory. The new body, representing all Jewish political groups, will hold its first meeting in Jerusalem next Monday together with the five Cabinet members at the headquarters of the Jewish Agency.