All of Israel sat tight tonight under blackout conditions, its inhabitants glued to their radio sets for the latest word on developments of the Sinai operation and its international repercussions.
The thousands of electric and fluorescent lights, which normally give this cosmopolitan city a festive look, were out, Windows were covered and the headlights of all automobiles were painted blue. Its normally peripatetic population kept close at home listening for the latest bulletins.
One thing all observers here agreed on was the almost tonic effect of reports to the effect that neither the British nor French would seek actively to interfere with the Israeli advance in Sinai. The general feeling about that development was one of relief at the supposition that Israel was no longer alone in the international arena, as she has felt herself to be for some time past.
Meanwhile, in the nation’s capital, it was business as usual today for the Knesset. While the parliament carried on its routine consideration of legislation, its corridors and buffet buzzed with recurrent rumors of the possible formation of a national government–one which would take in every party save the Communists. The only sign of emergency conditions apparent in Jerusalem was the effective blackout which went into effect at nightfall.
Markets in Jerusalem remained firm, despite the occasional nervousness evidenced by housewives–schooled in the siege of 1948–whose attempts to stock up on essential goods created occasional queues at stores in the city.
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.
