UNITED NATIONS
Department of Public Information
Press and Publications Bureau
Lake Success, New York
Press Release PAL/544
22 December 1949
FIRST GROUP OF ARAB REFUGEES FROM JORDAN
CROSS INTO ISRAEL UNDER UN AUSPICES
(The following was received today at UN Headquarters
from the UN Press Officer in Jerusalem.)
The first group of Arab refugees from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to be permitted to return to Israel under the auspices of the United Nations crossed the line this morning between the Arab and Israeli sectors of Jerusalem. They were on their way to be reunited with their families in Nazareth, Acre and Ramle, all in the new state of Israel.
The group, comprising 51 persons, mostly women and children, crossed the war-ruined No Man's Land at "Mandelbaum Gate" under the supervision of United Nations observers, who had made preparations for this transfer in Israel-Jordan Mixed Armistice Commission.
The basic agreement which resulted in today's transfer was concluded between Israel and Jordan in the Palestine Conciliation Commission last Summer. It will be recalled that transfer of refuges from Lebanon was carried out last 13 December. Negotiations for permitting refugees in Syria and Lebanon to rejoin their families in Israel are still in progress.
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Document Type: Press Release
Document Sources: United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI)
Subject: Palestine question, Peacekeeping, Refugees and displaced persons
Publication Date: 22/12/1949