The State Department today declined official comment on reports that the United States had protested an Israeli military parade to be held this Thursday in Jerusalem, marking the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Israel. Jordan has complained to U.S. diplomats that such a parade in Jerusalem would be a violation of the armistice terms.
Unofficially, it was indicated in State Department circles that Israel, in view of existing tensions, should have concentrated on a Tel Aviv military parade rather than the controversial parade scheduled for Jerusalem. The same circles said that U.S. Ambassador Edward B. Lawson has been advised to avoid any American identification with the Jerusalem parade.
(At the United Nations, Secretary General Dag Hammerskjold has asked the United States and Great Britain to use their good offices with Israel and Jordan to prevent any incidents during the Independence Day celebration parade in Jerusalem, it was learned today. The fact that he called James Wadsworth, the American deputy delegate, and P.M. Crosswise, the British deputy, into conference on a Sunday was seen as an indication of Mr. Hammerskjold’s concern over the forthcoming event. It was also reported here that Mr. Hammerskjold personally urged caution on Israel and Jordan.)
According to reports reaching here today from Amman, capital of Jordan, the Jordanian Army has been ordered to send heavily equipped military units to the Jordanian-held part of Jerusalem. The broadcast also said that Secretary General Hammerskjold has been asked to take steps to prevent the Israeli military parade in the Israel-held part of Jerusalem but was informed that the preparations could not be halted. (Israel authorities stressed that the parade constitutes no violation of the armistice agreement since the pact does not prohibit parades.)
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.
