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U.S. Consulate in Jordan Attacked; Americans Moved into Israel

December 21, 1955
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The United States Consul General in Jordan has asked the Israel Foreign Minister whether, in the event of necessity, Israel would permit American citizens in Jordan to cross into Israel without formalities, it was reported here today. The report said the Israel Foreign Office agreed immediately. About 20 or 30 American technicians were evacuated from the Old City of Jerusalem, through the Mandelbaum Gate, into Israel.

United Nations observers have already moved their families from the Old City to Jewish Jerusalem. The various foreign consuls in Jordan have been evacuated. The American consulate in the Old City was reported under attack by Arab mobs. The United States flag was torn down and the building was defaced, but no American personnel were reported injured.

Meanwhile, Arab Legion Col. Abdul Halim, commanding officer of the Jordan forces in the Old City, called his counterpart in Israel, Col. Chaim Herzog, today to inform him that any firing heard in the Old City was not aimed at Israel but was an “internal” matter. Although shooting has not been heard here, Israelis in quarters near the Old City have heard the shouting of anti-British and anti-Iraqi slogans from across the demarcation line.

A report from Amman today said that King Hussein had named Fawzi el Mulki, Premier in 1953 and 1954, to head a caretaker government until a new Parliament is elected. El Mulki is violently anti-Jewish and opposed talks to convert the truce into an armistice.

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