Attack on Jewish quarter Jerusalem – Letter/Cable from Israel, Press release

UNITED NATIONS

Department of Public Information

Press and Publications Bureau

Lake Success, New York

Press Release PAL/171

18 May 1948

JEWISH AGENCY FOR PALESTINE TRANSMITS NEW TELEGRAM

FROM MOSHE SHERTOK TO UN SECRETARY-GENERAL

The following is the text of a letter addressed today by Dr. Mordecai Eliash of the

Jewish Agency for Palestine to Mr. Trygve Lie, Secretary-General of the United Nations:

The Secretary-General

United Nations

Lake Success, New York

Sir,

I have the honour to transmit to you the text of the following cable which has just been received from the Foreign Secretary of Israel, Tel Aviv, May 17.

"Despite truce discussions Jerusalem conducted by Consular Committee and Arab undertaking to cease fire in the Old City of Jerusalem given to the Trusteeship Council the Arabs yesterday launched a heavy attack on the Jewish quarter of the Old City.  The Armenian Patriarch informed the Jewish Agency Liaison Officer that armed Arabs forced their way to the Patriarchate Building which is within the walls, notwithstanding his protest that the place was holy and that they were using the Patriarchate as a base for attack on the Jewish quarter.  Azcarate was informed and protested vigorously to the Arabs who nevertheless continued the attack.  It is learned Azcarate and the Belgian Consul who is Chairman of the Consular Committee left for Amman.

Signed Moshe Shertok"

I will be grateful to you if you will circulate this message to the Members of the Security Council.

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