Arab recognition of the state of Israel and Jewish surrender of some of the territory assigned to Israel by the U.N. partition decision are the basic suggestions contained in U.N. mediator Count Folke Bernadotte’s peace proposals to Israel and the Arab League states, it was unofficially indicated here today.
The Israeli Cabinet held a special meeting this morning to hear a report on Bemadotte’s plan from L.M. Kohn and Reuben Shiloah, the Jewish liaison representatives at Rhodes. Following their report, little hope was held that the Palestine truce will be preserved after July 9. The impression gained here is that Syria and Egypt are preparing for the resumption of war, and it is quite clear here that unless the United Nations or the major powers intervene more energetically during the next ten days, fighting in Palestine will resume on a larger scale than before the truce.
Interest here now centers on political developments to Cairo. It is known that King Farouk has definitely spoken out against continuation of the truce In Palestine beyond the four-week period. Egypt’s position as the extremist among the invaders was farther emphasized by the deliberate attacks on Jewish settlements on the very day that Abdullah of Tranajordan arrived in Cairo.Apparently Abdullah has once again assumed the role of the moderate in the Arab League.
In Syria renewed military activity has been reported, but it is not immediately clear whether the preparation are for a resumption of the Palestine war or as a precautionary measure against Abdullah in the event that he occupies the Arab portion of Palestine.
Both the Egyptian attitude and the Syrian preparations appear to be formidable obstacles to acceptance of any suggestions by Bernadotte for a continuation of the truce, even if Britain and the United States back the mediator.
As far as can be learned the Egyptians have thus far lost 600 killed and 400 wounded, while the Arab Legion and the Syrians have each lost 300 killed. The figures for the Lebanese and the Iraqi are not known. The Jews, on the other hand, have suffered 2,000 dead and 3,500 wounded.
The Arab Loses, Significantly, have been among trained troops who cannot easily be replaced. As Arab Casualties mount–all observers agree that if the ceasefire expires heavier and more concentrated fighting with heavier casualties will be the order of the day–the Arab governments will face the possibility of political opposition and revolt at home.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
