Jerusalem/Arab attack on Armenian Patriarchate – Letter/Cablegram from Israel

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LETTER DATED 18 MAY 1948 ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

BY THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR PALESTINE

Sir,

I have the honor 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 TO 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 THAT 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.

(Signed)  M.  ELIASH.

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