Fo#371/121779

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The Israel Ambassador called on me this afternoon. He said that he would be carrying a stage further the conversation which he had had with the Minister of State f* a/f*.Xi»lJ-^on September 15. As he had told Mr. Nutting, the Israeli V •fe- Government deeply resented the condemnation by the / Foreign Office spokesman of Israel's action near Dha Hiriye, which was described as contrary to the assurances given by Israel to the Secretary-General of the o United Nations. This statement was regarded as grossly partial and as an unfriendly act, anticipating as it did

. 'VA*** the findings of the Mixed Armistice Commission. These findings had now been published on September 17. The Commission condemned Jordan for the killing of the six Israel soldiers which had given rise to the Israeli action. The Israel Government now expected H.M.G. in all fairness to condemn Jordan. There was an additional reason. The Israel Government feared that we were trying to appease the Arabs at Israel's expense, a situation which they were not' prepared to accept. 2. I took note of the Ambassador's request, saying that he would not expect me to give him an immediate reply. I asked him, however, to consider whether a statement condemnatory to Jordan was likely to improve our chances of restraining Jordan, as he knew we were trying to do. Mr. Elath retorted, as usual, that our efforts had no success. He repeated his remarks about appeasing the Arabs, adding that he believed that in condemning Israel last week we had our eye not on Amman but on Riyadh and Bagdad. To this I said that he credited us with too much subtlety. But if he really thought that we had acted

/for Tl 21 cms PUBUC RECORD OFFICE "ins I 1

for the reasons he gave I should have expected him to welcome the attempt to weaken Nasser's hold on the Arabs* The Ambassador replied that this might have been so if we had consulted Israel first and had explained that our policy was to strengthen Israel and to weaken her enemies. This naturally led him to refer yet again to Centurion tanks but fortunately he did not pursue the point* 3. In conclusion the Ambassador said that he assumed that we should be making a statement tomorrow and he asked that he should if possible be informed beforehand. I indicated that he must not make any assumptions*

(A. D. M. Ross) Copies to: Sept ember 18, 1956* Mr* Hutting Private Secretary Levant Department African Department cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I

r*\

ISRAEL - JORDAN INCIDENTS

The Israeli Ambassador called on Mr. Ross yesterday continue his complaint that the Foreign Office statement out on September 13 about the Israel attack on a Jordan // rO ' , FLAG A \-w 'police post (P.O. telegram No. 758 to Tel Aviv) was grossly FLAG B partial and unfriendly. Mr. Ross's record of conversation is attached. 2. The Ambassador has deliberately confused two separate issues: (a) The frontier clash on September 10 in the course of which 6 Israeli soldiers were killed; and (b) The reprisal raid carried out by Israeli forces on the night of September 11/12, which resulted in the deaths of some 19 Jordanians and the complete destruction of the police post and nearby school. 3. It is quite true that the Mixed Armistice Commission pronounced on the first of these only on September 17. It condemned Jordan for the incident, and found that the bodies t p • /-.v* \of the Israel soldiers had been dragged across the demarcation FLAG C '"J line (Jerusalem telegram No. 327). The Foreign Office statement, however, made no reference whatsoever to this incident. 4. The statement referred solely to the Israeli reprisal raid of September 13/12. A United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation statement was made on September 12. This said that Israeli forces had crossed the demarcation line to attack the police post, and that this appeared as an act_pf_retaliation such as had been repeatedly condemned FLAG D "by the Security Council (Jerusalem telegram No. 320). ..-/x/ n i /Even v PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE "21

Evenso the Foreign Office statement was careful to say that the incident was "being formally investigated "by General Burns,,, and "based, itself on "-oreliminary reports". 5. In continuing the complaint about this statement and in suggesting that we should now make one condemning Jordan for the September 10 incident, the Israelis seem to "be deliberately making, trouble. I suggest that the Minister of State summons the Israeli Ambassador and speaks to him Sigmly on the following lines: (a) The Foreign Office statement of September 13 made no reference whatsoever to the incident of September 10 for which Jordan was ID lamed "by the Mixed Armistice Commission on September 17. ("b) The statement referred solely to the Israeli reprisal raid of September 11/12, which the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation had described in a statement issued on September 12 as an act of retaliation such as had been repeatedly condemned by the Security Council. (c) There is a complete difference between a frontier clash, such as that of September 10, and. a planned military operation against neighbouring territory, such as the Israeli raid of September 11/12. It is the deliberate natxire of reprisals, which, as the Ambassador will be well aware, H.M.G. have always condemned. (d) H.M.G. have no intention of issuing a statement abou ' the incident of September 10, Then fo>aiLi ***.t ^ X A ^ ., 4. „• • . H ^-S ,. r. -t nr, o ^ n p,^ ^ H.M.G.

in fact noticed that the/Commission's Chairman ^ stated that, while Jordan must be held responsible /for the 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 I 2 ™-Fb 3917 72? 774 U^X Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet

for the incident, patrolling by the Israeli forces close to the demarcation line greatly contributed to increased tension. (e) H.M.G. are certainly not trying to appease the Arabs at Israel's expense. On the contrary they have repeatedly urged restraint on the Jordanians. On the other hand the deliberate destruction of Jordanian police posts will make the task of the Jordanian authorities in preventing infiltration into Israel harder. If this is the intention of the Israel Government H.lvl.G. would take a most serious view of it. (f) The Ambassador seems to be trying to make a major issue out of the Foreign Office statement of September 13. If he wants a fight he can have it. He will no doubt have been expecting that the result of the two recent reprisal ra43s will be the holding up of shipments of arms from this country. So far we have not done this. But if the Israelis are really out for trouble we shall have no option but to do so.

(R. M. Hadow) September 19, 1956 CONFIDENTIAL

FROM FOREIGN OFFICE TO TEL AVIV

Cypher/DTP and FOREIGN OFFICE AMP By Bag DISTRIBUTION

No. 790 D. 1.10 a.m. September 22, 1956 September 21, 1956

CONFIDENTIAL

Addressed to Tel Aviv telegram No. 790 of. September 21. Repeated for Information to: Amman Jerusalem And Saving to: Beirut No. 8/2 Bagdad No. 582,. Cairo No. 857 Damascus No, 512 Washington No, 4319 Paris No. 3425 P.O.M.E.F. 1212 UKDEL New York No. 924

My telegram No, 774 [of September 17: Israel-Jordan situation].

The Israel Ambassador called on Mr. Ross on September 18 to continue the complaint made to the Minister of State about the alleged partiality of the Foreign Office statement of September 13 (my telegram No. 758). The Mixed Armistice Commission had on September 17 condemned Jordan for the killing of the six Israeli soldiers which had given rise to the Israeli action. The Israel Government now expected Her Majesty's Government to condemn Jordan for this incident. They also feared that we were trying to appease the Arabs at Israel's expense, which they were not prepared to accept,

2. The Minister of State summoned the Israel Ambassador again on September 20, He told him that Her Majesty's Government had considered the Israel Government's demand that they should condemn Jordan for the incident of September 10 but had decided against it. First, it would look very strange to issue a statement some ten days after the event. Secondly, Her Majesty's Government had to reckon with the political as well as the legal aspect of the situation, and

/Mr. Nuttin* 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins 1 1 I 2 f"™^. o —> j / A f^ A *7 ~~r /\

CONFIDENTIAL

Foreign Office telegram No. 790 to Tel Aviv

-3-

condemned both sides for the incident Her Majesty's Government should show themselves equally impartial. Since they had refused to do so he must convey the Israel Government's official protest at what they regarded as a partial and unfriendly act.

6. Mr. Nutting replied that Her Majesty's Government could not be held responsible for what correspondents chose to read into Foreign Office statements. As to Mr. Hammarskj8ld's letters to the Israel and Jordan representatives in New York, they were not, as the Ambassador had said, condemnations of both sides. The letter to the Israel representative was one of condemnation. That to the Jordanian called for restraint. 7. Your telegram No. VI8 paragraph 2. You need take no action.

7777777 1 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins 1 1 I 2 ™, Fo 3 917 721 -774 fcCfSy Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet

The Israeli Ambassador called at my request this afternoon. I told aim that we had considered his Governmentf s demand that we should publicly condemn Jordan for the incident of September 10th. We had decided however against doing so. For one thing it would look very strange to issue a statement now some ten days after the event. For another we had to reckon with the political as well as the legal aspects of these situations and I doubted whether it- would help us to restrain the Jordanians if we were n©w suddenly to whip round and condemn them for something they had done ten days ago and for which they had suffered a threefold retribution. moreover there was surely a distinction between the action of trigger-happy troops firing on Israeli patrols against the orders of the Jordan authorities and that of en organised, planned and deliberate act of retaliation on the express orders of the Israeli authorities. Dealing with the Israeli complaint about the condemnation of Israel by the Foreign Office spokesman on September 13th, I told the Ambassador that I had looked into this very carefully and could not accept the Israeli version. I showed him the exact words used by the Foreign Office spokesman and added that these words were uttered after (a) U.N.T.S.O. had stated 24 hours before that Israeli forces had crossed the demarcation line to attack the Jordan police post as an act of retaliation such as had repeatedly been condemned by the Security Council; and (b) no less than 6 Israeli newspapers, including the Jerusalem Post, a Government organ, had admitted that the incident of September 12th was a calculated act of reprisal by Israeli forces. For all these reasons I could not accept &H& the Israeli demand that we should equate the two incidents, nor could I admit that the Foreign Office had been anything more than technically at fault in expressing disapproval of the Israeli reprisal as a violation of the assurances given to the Secretary-General, V-*- U^ oj. £*. M^»\C / The 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins 1 1 I 2 «*/..- Fb 3917 J2t 114 U<*& Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet

- 2 -

The Ambassador, in a much calmer mood than that of last Sunday, said that he would- report ^.explanations to his Government "but that they would not find them convincing. In the first place the Diplomatic Correspondent ©f the "Times" had written much more than the words which-1 attributed to the Foreign Office spokesman. Secundly Mr. Hammarskjold had publicly condemned "both sides for both incidents and it was up to the British Government to show themselves as impartial as the Secretary-General. Since we had refused to do this he must convey to me the official protest of his Government at what they regarded as a partial and unfriendly act by the British Foreign Office* I replied that whatever the Diplomatic Correspondent of the "Times" had writ ten, the words used by the Foreign Office were £s stated by me. If correspondents choose t© re4d more into those words we could not be held responsible; Nor could we spend our time denying every mis-statement made by journalists. As to Mr. Hammarskjold's action, his letters to the Israeli and Jordanian representatives in New York were not as the Ambassador had stated, condemnations of both sides. There was a clear distinction between them. The letter to the Israeli representative was one of condemnation. The one to the Jordanian called for restraint. The Ambassador did not pursue the matter any further beyond repeating that my explanations were not a convincing reason for declining his Government's request.

(Anthony Nutting) September 20th. 1956 DISTRIBUTION: Private Secretary Lord Reading Sir Ivone Kirkpatrick Mr. Dodds-Parker Lord John Hope Sir Harold Caccia H?. Ross Levant Dept. 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins 1 1 I 2 |™.-Fb 391/721774 fc^ST Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet

ISRAEL - JORDAN INCIDENTS

The Israel Ambassador has been asked to call on Mr. Hutting at 4 p.m. today. Mr. Nutting will then speak to him about the Israeli reprisal raid of September 11/12 and the Foreign Office statement of September 13, about whidh Mr. Elath had complained to Mr. Ross. 2. Mr. Dodson has asked for clarification of two, points: (i) How far can the Minister of State go in saying that the Foreign Office disapproval of the raid was based on its being a violation of the recent cease-fire assurances, rather than on more general grounds'; and (ii) Was there ana admission by the Israel Government vj or a statement by some official body that the raid was a reprisal before the Foreign Office statement was made. 3. So far as (i) is concerned, the Foreign Office statement was word for word the same as the text in Foreign Office telegram No. 758 to Tel Aviv. This said clearly that preliminary reports showed that the raid was a,violation of the cease-fire assurances given to the Secretary-General and that H. M. Government must accordingly express their strong disapproval. 4. So far as (ii) is concerned the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation issued a statement on September 12 (i.e. 24 hours before the Foreign Office statement) to the effect that Israeli forces had crossed the demarcation line to attack the Jordanian police post in question and that this was an act of retaliation such as had been repeatedly condemned by the Security Council. I cannot /trace cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins T

trace any admission "by Israel Radio on September 12 that the raid was a reprisal. But on September 13 it carried a full summary of the Israel Press on the Stttiim, which openly referred to it as a."retaliatory act" and as "punishment". An extract from the B.B.C. Summary of World Broadcasts is attached.

fi ,

(P. H. Laurence) September 20, 1956 f-... 'A 'Jt uj-.a.a U. f 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins 1 1 1 2

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FROM FOREIGN OEFIBETO TEL AVIV " - • ;•• En Glair DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION No. 758 September 13, 1956. D. 8.10 p.m. September 13, 1956.

Addressed to Tel Aviv telegram No. 758 of September 1.3.. And to Amman No. 1682 Repeated for information to Cairo Jedda Damascus Bahrain Beirut Jerusalem Bagdad Foreign Office spokesman comments today on Israeli attack on Khirber Pah.wa Police post said: 2. This incident will, of course, "be investigated formally by General Burns. But preliminary reports show that it represents a violation of the recent assurances, given to the Secretary- General of the United Nations, that the cease-fire would be respected; and Her Majesty's Government must accordingly express their strong disapproval.

DISTRIBUTED TO:-

United Nations Department Levant Department News Department

EEE1 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE TnTT 391/721774 Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and ____ Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet

FROM JERUSALEM TO FOREIGN OFFICE En Glair FOREIGN OFFICE AND WHITEHALL DISTRIBUTION Mr. Wikeley No..320 D. 11.U a.m. September 13, 1956 September 13, 1956 R. 2.25 p.,m._ September 13, 1956

Addressed Foreign Office telegram Ho.320 of September 13 Repeated for information to Amman Tel Aviv P.O.M.E.F. And Saving to UKDEL New York Ankara Washington Bagdad Paris Beirut Cairo Damascus •My telegram .Eo. Following is. text of statement issued by U.11 .T.S.O. on September 12. Begins. The United Nations military observers have completed their investigation of the incident which took place on the late morning of September 10 between Israeli and Jordanian forces close to the armistice demarcation line about three kilometres west of Idna, that is, on line between Hebron (Jordan) and Beit Guvrin (Israel). Six Israeli soldiers were killed. On September 10 their bodies were seen by U.N. observers on ,the Jordanian side several hundred metres from the'demarcation line. According to Jordanian witnesses,, a'large number of Israeli soldiers approached the demarcation line and six were killed during an exchange of fire begun by the Israelis after they had crossed to the Jordanian side. Israeli witnesses stated that some thirty Israeli soldiers were carrying out map reading exercises approximately one hundred metres from the demarcation line when some groups of them were fired upon and suffered casualties. It was further stated that the Jordanians dragged the bodies of six Israeli soldiers into Jordan controlled territory. United Nations military observers found evidence bearing on the question of which side of the demarcation line the Israeli soldiers were killed. The M.A.C, will consider the investigation report at its next emergency meeting. /Shortly cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE THTT

Jerusalem telegram Ho. 320 to Foreign Office — 2— Shortly after midnight on September 12, Israeli forces crossed g the Israel-Jordan demarcation linei _.an4.J3.1 ^t u...... Jordanian police post at Kilo 69, one kilometre from the demarcation line, on the old Hebron-Beersheba road and approximately seven kilometres south west of the village of Dhahiriya. Israeli forces also ambushed Jordanian police reinforcements travell- ing in three landrovers at a point approximately two kilometres north east of the police post. In addition, a school was blown up at a point approximately 1500 metres north west of the police post. United Nations military observers found twelve Jordanians killed at the police post which was totally destroyed. An undetermined additional number of dead are believed to be buried under the rubble and efforts are now being made to recover bodies. Four Jordanians were also killed and at least two wounded in the ambush, one of whom subsequently died in hospital. No casualties were sustained as a consequence of the blowing up of the school, which was completely destroyed. Explosives, hand grenades and cart" ridges with Hebrew lettering were found in the vicinity of the police post. Investigation of the incident by United Nations military observers is continuing. The Chief of Staff has repeatedly drawn the attention of the parties to the tension created by holding military exercises near the demarcation line, and to the danger of thereby precipitating an incident, as happened on September 10. If it is shown that the Jordanians fired first, and that no Israelis had crossed the demarcation line at the time, the Jordanians will bear a heavy responsibility. The attack on the police post and the: school and the related ambush shortly after midnight on September 12 appear as an act of retaliation such as has been repeatedly condemned by the Security Council. The Chief of Staff expresses his sympathy to the wounded and" the relatives of the killed on both sides. He appeals to both sides to put a stop to this most tragic series of events and to observe the cease fire laid down in Article 111 (2) of the General Armistice Agreement in accordance with their assurances to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Ends . Foreign Office please pass Saving to UKDEL New York, my 81, Washington 85, Paris 85, Cairo U, Ankara Jf8, Bagdad 53, Beirut 54- and Damascus 51. [Repeated Saving to UKDEL "Mew York, Washington, Paris, Cairo, LLL Ankara, Bapclsci^ Beirut nnl Bam? sou

/If : - 7 ..v *

APPENDIX W; ISRAEL

Wl Israeli Press on the Rahwah Raid

Israel In Hebrew home service 10.30 GMT 12.9t5S. Summary of press comment:

'HaLaretz' : The Dawalma Incident called for a severe retaliatory act . The Rahwah operation woul<%not have been carried out at all, had it not been for the provocative act In Dawalfta,. We have no other choice but to retaliate If we do not wish to place upon our'ielves the difficult responsibility under which the absence of retaliation will be Interpreted on the Jordanian side as an Invitation to repeat the crime. The decisive factor In assessing the acts of sabotage by the Arab forces Is their outcome. If the outcome la^tbe endangering of lines of communications or the killing and wounding of people, we-. shall not sit with folded hands. We hope that the blow dealt the Jordanian forces will silence them, At the same time we shall continue to refrain from any provocation.

'Davar1 : Complete quiet could prevail throughout the Israeli-Arab border. The thing depends on the Arab States, on their intentions to observe the armistice agreements and chiefly on their pledge to cease fire along the borders. The Israeli Government has passed several warnings to the Jordanian authorities, through the UN chief truce observer. Israel has also made a serious effort to turn the routine discussions of the armistice commission into practical and basic discussions for the prevention of incidents and the maintenance of quiet along the borders.

Such efforts have been In vain. Jordan has overlooked Israeli warnings, and the appeals by the UN, and has permitted her armed forces to continue and increase their murderous attacks in the border regions. Israel has not relinquished her natural right of self-defence. This Is not only a right, but a supreme oblig- ation of every nation against aggressors who undermine its security and threaten its existence. Even after the recent bloody Incidents, the way Is open for Jordan and the rest of the Arab countries to alleviate the grave tension and ensure complete quiet along the borders. Israel is ready to help any effective and practiic.al inter- national effort for the maintenance of peace and security. However, her neighbours and their known and unknown supporters should know that the citizens of Israel, her soldiers and her borders will in no circumstances be at the mercy of murder gangs.

'Lamerhav' : The main, responsibility for the bloodshed will fall on the rulers of Jordan and Egypt, who are working jointly to increase murder and sabotage along the Israeli borders. If they want peace and cease every provocation, they will have peace; but if they continue with a policy of ambush and murder, the Israeli army will do its duty and defend the peace and security of the State.

'Al Hamishmar1 : Israel will not plan aggression because she is peace- loving; but she will not remain unmoved by the shedding of the blood of her . soldiers and citizens.

'Haboker' : Israel has not provocative intentions, towards either Jordan or any other Arab country. Furthermore, Israel has no intention of dragging them Into war. The act of retaliation was only a reply to Jordan's acts of lawlessness, which have been going on for weeks now and which culminated In the barbaric murder of six Israeli soldiers early this week. This retaliation should be considered a warning to the States beyond our borders that we cannot tolerate border violations accompanied by acts of sabotage and murder.

'The Jerusalem Post' : Punishment jf or_an_act_of murder cannot be called an act of retaliation. \ cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE insT [*«,, To 391/121774 Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet

fnr-n **** *** P0lnt °* VieH °f sovere*S^y the very fact that enemy forces are murdering our country's solids Is decisive. Such a fact calls for a national reaction which should not be bound by the extent, the place and the time 01 t;ne murder,

•Shearim.. The time has come to put an end to the lawlessness of Israel's neighbours, and to punish the murderers In order to deter them once and for all.

'Orneri if i ~__ ' :" I•"tv appeart'i't'^aj. sa thai/iJC t the. Arab countries, and even their rulers, only understand the language of force*.• , H**^**^?'**, 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins 1 1 I 2 **Fb 391/721774 fl^ST Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet

British J'imbassy, 1.1910/56 Tel Aviv. COFFIDJFTIAL » -' September 20, 1956

Dear DepairEmerfE","""* Thank you for your letter VR.1091/153 of September k about alleged Israeli recruitment abroad. 2.- Several members of the anbassy fc&aff have been watching out for further evidence of this ^but without success. '.\. but they have yet to do so. Yours ever,

Levant Department, cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I

Pleas^e note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet V LEVANT DEPARTMENT

FROM Mi//

NO.

Dated

Received i Registry— fOSf

References to former relevant papers MINUTES

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(Print)

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SECRET ffiOM TEL ATI? TO FOREKM OFFICE

OFFICE SECRET AHD WHCTEI&I& SECHBT DISTRIBTIT ION Mr, festlake B. 9,31 a,a» September 27, 1956, September 27 » 1956. R. 11,18 ...«,,»« September 27f

Ajgrgssed, ..to Forelio Off lee tqlegrtm Hof of Septem'ber 27. If peatei fea? Inforsifttioii to

Jerusalem P.O.M.B.F. Saving to Parts Washington lew York (U.K.Del.) telegram HO, 437: Israeli Director of Military Intelligence has given the States Military Attache an account of the attack on Eusan is reported to have ©©mented as follows, 2. The whole operation proved far easier than the Israelis had expected as the Jordanian troops appeared to "be severely demoralised. No Jordanian reinforcements came up except two armoured cars which were ambushed and destroyed, 3. The demoralization, confusion and bewilderment of West lank was 4* In his opinion King Hussein would go to any lengths to QlMtloBB and the recent int5|tents had isttn ptrt of a deliberate attempt to justify their postponement* 5. He expected Jordanians would try to minimize the seriousness of the Israeli attack. (He did sot, however, appear to think that there was any prospect of Israeli action being effective as a deterrent to future Jordanian reprisals). He expected that: /M

fcf; 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins 1 1 I 2 ™-fb &=H/ 121714 U<*& Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet

Tel Aviv telegram No. U.6 to Foreign Office

— 2 «•

(a) Jordanians would resort to fedayeen attacks as a matter of policy} or CD) Government would lose control and individuals would take it upon themselves to take revenge on an Increased scale, Foreign Office pass Immediate to P.O.M.E.F, and Routine to Jerusalem and Bagdad as my telegrams Nos. 177, 125 and 39 and Saving to Ankara, Washington, Paris and tf,K,Bel. New York as my telegrams Hos. 56, 118, 95 and &5 respectively. [Repeated to P.O.I.E.P., Jerusalem and Bagdad and Saving to Ankara, Washington, Paris and U.K.Del. New York],

ADYAIGE COPIES TO;

private Secretary Sir I. Kirkpatrick Mr, Ross Head of Levant Department Head of lews Department 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 I 2 R*f.s Fb 3 ?1 / 1 2 1 ^7^? $6 ^ Jf Pie3!>e note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your JSe of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet

FOREIGN OPPIC3, S.W.1. October 1956, Registry No. VS 1091/265

SECRET

Draft. Mr. Westlake, \A We were interested and somewhat Tel Aviv. disturbed by the account of a conversation f*. #4 AMA** l*U(k*j- ^between the Israel Director of Military Intelligence and the United States Military Attache given in your telegram No. 1446 of September 27. In particular the CK < expectation that the Israeli attack on the Z Husan post would not be effective as a deterrent to future Jordanian reprisals is Prom: quite contrary to the public Israeli «-M. of Mr. Hadow. justification of a policy/reprisal raids as the only effective deterrent to infiltration If the Israel Government as a whole now Ul 00 considers that jfedayeea. attacks from Jordan Copies to: will now increase and that the Jordanian Amman Bagdad Government will lose control of the situation, Beirut is the Cairo we can only suppose that this/effect which o Damascus Jerusalem they intended to bring about by their rftiflto. POMEP /tC Au«/k/V Ankara In other words^is not to pacify the border Paris Washington but to create an excuse for invading Jordan. UK DEL, New York Naturally we hope that this *ffifffflffim was is wrong and that the D.M.I./speaking only for himself. we shall however be grateful if you will keep your ears open for anything else that would seem to support it, and I particularly for anything which we could take up with the Israel Government. The Minister of State enquired on reading the telegram under reference whether cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I***.-To 3917 Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet

the U.S. Military Attache bwF-said anything in reply to the D.M.I. Can you say? I am sending copies of this letter to etc. etc.

x H z z LU H- 5

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FROM CAIRO TO FOREIGN OFFICE Sa Glair FOREIGN OFFICE AID DISTRIBUTId Sir H, Trevelysn D.9.20 p.m. September 27, 1956. September 27» 195 p.m. September 27» 1956,

Addressed to Foreign Off Joe telegram Ho. 2330 of September 27 Repeated for Information to Washington U.K. Del. Hew York P.O.M.E.F. Amman

Husan incident. All papers today report that President Nasser yesterday telegraphed to King Hussein news of brutal aggression on the Jordanian forces and what had befallen the sons of a sister country had a great effect on him and every Egyptian. He is reported to have said "I feel grieved and I offer you the condolences of Egypt, both Government and people" and to have assured King Hussein that Egypt stood side by side with her sister country Jordan. 2* Arab contacts following the Husan incident were extensively reported, while Al Shaab featured Mr. HammarskjoeId's call for intervention of Security Council to preserve peace between Jordan and Israel. All papers say that King Hussein has sent special message to King Faisal asking for urgent military aid in face of increasing Israel aggressions. Foreign Office please pass to Washington, U.K. Del. lew York as my telegrams Nos.34-3 ind 57. [Repeated to Washington and U.K. Del. New York].

BBS 11 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins 1 •) I 2 •£/ Ret* Fb 3 ?1/ 72? 774 Oo «$" Pleas>e note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your USe of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet

FROM TO FORSIGIf OFFICE

Gypher/OTP OFFIGB AMD TOTBHAIX PISTOXBgCTDH SirR. Stevens B. 12.31 P.®. September 28, 1956 September 28, 1956 September 28, 1956 PRIORI?!

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram Mo. 761 of September .ff « Repeated for information to Washington Tel Aviv

The Setretory-General sent for me this morning to escpress the concern of the Iranian Government at the Israel attack on Jordan. As I knew, Iran did not take sides in the Israel- Arab dispute 'but they attached importance to good relations with their Artb meigftbcrars and deplored the Israel attempt to exploit the present situation in the Middle Bast in their own favour. Iran had no representation in Israel so could not protest themselves, "but very anoh hoped that we would do so. I pointed out that a strongly disapproving statement had "been made "by a Foreign Office spokesman in London yesterday. 2. Similar representations are "being made to my French and United States colleagues as oo-signatories of the tripartite declaration. Foreign Office please pass to Washington, Paris, Tel Aviv and Amman as my telegrams Ifos. W), li, 8 and 30 respectively. [Repeated to Tel Aviv and toman and Saving to Washington and Paris. )

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1L Ret* Fb 391/721774 00

T) FOBEK OF FICE En Glair , FOBffIGN OFFICE AND •• ; P \ f] g 1 1 P1?~)WHIf EHAOL Sir J. Gardener - . *>. ff "//. V <^*^*^ Ho. 5pl D. 12. 47 p. m. September 28, 1956 September 38, 1956 K. 4. 18 p. m. September 28, 1856 Addressed $ .For^iffl. ^fflc® teleqraifi N©. 591 of Se-ptember 28. Kepeated for !nl©rmatto tS ^Amiaan Bagdad Beirut Cairo F.O.M.E.F. Israel attack cm Jordan. Syrian Press calls £©r joint Arab action to restrain Israel and most papers accuse Western Powers of inspiring the attack. \, 2. According to left-wing Ray Al Am, Syrian President has informed King Hwssein through Jordanian Ambassador that Syria, E fypt and Saudi Arabia, were prepared t© give Jordan immediate military aid as agreed at Damam conference. Other papers report that Jordanian and Egyptian Military Attach! visited Ministry of Defence t© discuss joint military action. 3. Visit of Lebanese Foreign Minister is linked with report that Syria and the Lebanon would call emergency meeting of Arab II League Political Committee and suggest joint Arab complaint to I f Security Council. 4. Middle East News Agency report states Jordan would seek Arab support in requesting dismissal of General Burns on account ©f his partiality towards Israel.

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FROM TBL AVIV TO FOREIGN OFFICE l/

Bn Glair FOREIGN OFFICE DISTRIUTION Mr. Westlakc jo, U8 D. 3.12 p.m, September 28, 1956, September 28, 1956. R. A.58 p.m. September 28, 1956,

PRIORITY Addressed to Foreign Office telegram Ho. US of September 28. Repeated for information to: Amman Bagdad Beirut Cairo Damascus U.K. Del, New York, P.O.M.B.F. And Saving to-.Ankara Paris Jerusalem Washington. A great deal of counent appears in tofl&y's Press about the Husan attack and about Israel's general political situation regarding both Britain and the Arab States, 2, Lamerhav alleges that Britain is keen on bringing about an Arab-Israel war owing to the deadlock in the Suea conflict. The idea is said to be to split the Arab States over the Suez issue by focusing Arab attention on Israel, The paper argues that IBABS* broadcasts (for which t hey hold Britain responsible) and hostile Foreign Office statements lend weight to these fears which become more acute following reports of the forthcoming entry of an Iraqi division into Jordan. 3. Ha'aretz hinted at some public disillusionment over the effectiveness of reprisals as a method of controlling the border and pointed out that although their object was to force Jordan to control its forces, reprisals also weakened the ability of the Jordan Government to do so. This would be exploited by both Egyptians and Iraqis for t heir own ends and it was doubtful whether the victory of pro-Egyptian factions in an election or an Iraqi military intervention would contribute to the restoration of border quiet. But there was no escape from this vicious circle because Israel could not bufr stability by tolerating murders. This circle %could only be broken if Jordan ceases to serve Egyptian interests or"5f Britain ceases to be partial in its attitude to border incidents. /Foreign Office cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE TnT

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Tel Aviv telegram Ho. U8 to Foreign Office

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Foreign Office pass to U.K. Del. Hew York as my Priority telegram Ho. 50 and Saving to Ankara fo«57 Jerusalem Ho. 19, Paris Ho, 96, and Washington No, 119. (Repeated to U.K. Del. Hew York and Saving to Ankara, Jerusalem, Paris and Washington],

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AMMAK TO FOREIGN OFFICE

En Cltir FOREIGN OFFICE ..AM) TOEEHALL

Sir C. Dike I*. 1381 D: 11.2® a.m. September 29,1956 September 28,195i R: 1,15 p.m. September 29,1956 Addressed to Foreiffi tffico telegram No, 1581 of Soptcaber 28. Repeated for information t® Bagdad Cairo Beirut f.O.M.S.P. At Dlfa' a1 s editorial' today says that Jordan has maintained her morale despite "acts of f:grression and consplracios of the Great Powers11. Instead of talking the Arab States shctild extend aid to J@rdan s© that her pe©plo nay face the eneaiy with weapons similar to those supplied Tiy the Great ?®wers to the enemy. The Palestine plight sh®uld have taught the Arab States the need t® hasten t® the aid of each other, When Tfill they cease t© act as spectatars ? M On the Mime subject Palastln asks ws@ long as li^erialisi supports Israel, why should n®t the Arab Stsstes support Jordan ? Talk d®es n©t ward off aggressi®!*. 2, All papers carried headlines stressing Iraq's willingness t© reinforce J®rdat.

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