Situation in the Middle East – Letter from Israel

LETTER DATED 11 MARCH 1968 FROM THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF ISRAEL TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

On instructions from my Government I have the honour to refer to the letter addressed to you "by the Permanent Representative of Jordan on 8 March 1968 (A/7065, S/8445) and to state as follows:

The concern of the Government of Jordan that the activities of Mr. Rouhi Al-Khateeb, a Jordanian national, in Jerusalem have "been stopped is understandable. Mr. Al-Khateeb, an appointee of the Jordanian Government, had "been an agent for that Government in promoting tensions and public unrest behind the cease-fire lines between Jordan and Israel.

After the hostilities had ended he did not cease his attempts at incitement. He maintained contact with the Jordanian Government and acted as intermediary for the transmission of directives and instructions from Amman and for the illegal transfer and distribution of funds for the purpose of promoting breaches of public order.  Realizing that he failed to enjoy public support, he increasingly tried to revert to illicit pressure and threats against local inhabitants.

Owing to these activities and the threats to public order and security which they posed, he was ordered in accordance with the Defence Emergency Regulations of 1945 to leave and cross the cease-fire line to Jordan.

The letter of the Permanent Representative of Jordan uses the expression "the national character of the City of Jerusalem".  It is to be recalled that the overwhelming majority of the population of Jerusalem is and has been for generations Jewish.

I have the honour to request that this letter be circulated as an official document of the General Assembly and the Security Council.

Please accept, etc.

(Signed)  Yosef TEKOAH Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations

*  Also issued under the symbol A/7067.