Truce violations by Arab forces in Jerusalem – Chair of SecCo Truce Commission – Cablegram, Press release

UNITED NATIONS

Department of Public Information

Press and Publications Bureau

Lake Success, New York

Press Release PAL/336

15 October 1948

CABLEGRAM DATED 14 OCTOBER 1948 FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE

PALESTINE TRUCE COMMISSION ADDRESSED TO THE PRESIDENT

OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL CONCERNING VIOLATIONS

OF THE TRUCE BY ARAB FORCES IN JERUSALEM

I herewith direct the following cablegram to the President of the Security Council on behalf of the Truce Commission:

"Jerusalem, 14 October 1948

Despite repeated warnings given to the command of the Arab Legion and to the Transjordan government by the bodies concerned, Arab forces continue to fire indiscriminately, and sometimes deliberately, at foreign consulates and the United Nations Headquarters.

The resultant casualties, particularly with regard to the consulates, have been heavy.  One of them, the French Consulate-General, already registers a total of 21 wounded, 3 of them seriously.  Furthermore, on 9 September, three shorts were fired from the walls at the United States Consulate-General's car as it was entering the French Consulate-General, the headquarters of the Truce Commission to which the United States acting representative was paying a visit.  On 10 October, the French Consulate-General was subjected to sustained fire for thirty-five minutes.  The same day, an anti-tank shell discharged by a gun placed on the citadel during the first truce struck the Turkish Consulate-General, while a mortar shell fell on the observers' quarters.  On 13 October, the Consulate in the United Nations sector was subjected for several hours to fire from automatic weapons without any provocation or reply on the part of Jewish forces in the neighbouring sectors.  Finally, on 14 October, the French Consul-General's car was struck by six bullets as it was returning to the Consulate, the sear of the Truce Commission.

The continuation of this state of affairs leads the Truce Commission to believe that neither the Amman government nor the Arab Legion Command are able to exercise the necessary authority over their troops.

(signed)  Rene Neuville

Chairman of the Truce Commission"

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