Highly-placed State Department officials today made known that the Administration is displeased by Israel’s intention to terminate the return of Jordanian refugees after August 31. These officials indicated that the Israel Government is being pressed to extend the deadline. They said that Israel should show humanitarian consideration in waiving the expiration date and allowed the return of all those who wish to come back.
The view voiced by officials is that Jordan is, to some degree, responsible for the delay in the return of refugees because of Amman’s attitude. American authorities also said they understood the reasoning behind Israel’s screening procedures. However, it is felt that differences and problems have been resolved. The State Department view, approved by the Administration, is that Israel should make a concession and extend the deadline so that all Jordanians who wish may return to the west bank area.
(Political circles in Jerusalem said today that, “under no circumstances will Israel even discuss further extension” of the August 31 deadline on the admission of Arab refugees. The statement was made as a reaction to a United Nations report that U.N. Secretary-General U Thant was considering the possibility of asking Israel to extend the deadline, in response to such a demand by the Jordanians.)
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