Routine contacts between Israel and Jordanian representatives were maintained as usual today and the assassination of Jordanian Premier Majali had no effect on the regular fortnightly Israeli convoy to the Mount Scopus salient.
The convoy, which passes through Jordan-controlled territory, took place on schedule today. A special transport of material went through yesterday without incident. Traffic via the Mandelbaum Gate to and from the old city of Jerusalem continued normal.
Commenting on the situation in Jordan, where King Hussein appeared to be in full control, the independent daily Haaretz said editorially that because Palestine was divided between Israel and Jordan, “there has developed a kind of silent partnership.” Israel’s security, the Hebrew daily said, depends on, among other things, Jordan’s rulers not denying this fact.
“If they change their position or are forced to do so, a completely new situation might develop which would confront us with an extremely grave danger and Israel would then have to consider the new situation and act to eliminate that danger,” the paper said.
The right-wing Herut party, however, expressed disagreement, in its newspaper, with the theory that King Hussein’s continued rule was an assurance of quiet on Israel’s eastern border. The Herut paper asserted that Israel had missed an opportunity to ensure its security, adding “it may be that we are now again to be confronted with a test that is likely to determine the fate of our country.”
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.
