Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V

684A.85/12–550: Telegram

The Minister in Jordan (Drew) to the Secretary of State

confidential
priority

Amman, December 5, 1950—5 p. m.

110. At audience with King Abdullah morning December 5 at Shuna¹ he substantially confirmed information given in Legtel 106, December 4, Noon.² Communication from Israeli authorities referred to therein as telephone call was actually however a letter from Shiloah received sometime December 2 requesting King to authorize use of Gharandal by-pass by Israeli convoys and stating that if permission not granted they would open roadblock by force. King replied with suggestion that Shiloah come to Shuna evening December 2 to discuss matter. This suggestion was not acted upon.³

His Majesty for first time in nine months I have been in Jordan appeared to be at end of patience with Israelis and former basic goodwill no longer manifest. He reminded me that each time he has been close to a settlement, Israelis have spoiled everything by some act of aggression such as Wadi Aruba incident of last May or Jisr el Majami affair.

He was very bitter about Israeli plane circling his Palace December 3 which he considered as personal insult. He indicated his awareness of interest of US and UK in peace between two countries and reiterated his devotion to that objective, but went so far as to threaten, if Israeli aggressions continue, to revert to tactics he learned during Arab revolt after World War I and organize sabotage and terrorism within Israel. While I do not take this seriously, it shows that at least for time being Israelis have lost their one sincere friend in whole Arab world.

King informed me, which subsequently confirmed by Glubb Pasha, that Jordan MAC representative accepted UN orders to pull troops back from scene of hostilities and that this has been done, but that Israeli forces have not only declined to accept UN orders but are flagrantly patrolling by-pass with apparent object of provoking Legion forces to open fire. Also informed that Israeli aircraft have repeatedly overflown Jordan territory last few days.

Though making due allowances for patriotic prejudice of sources available here, it does appear that by-pass is in Jordan territory and no indication that Jordan forces have been aggressors. While giving due weight to restraining influence of British Minister, Glubb and King, I fear that continued recalcitrant and provocative attitude on part of Israelis may have unfortunate consequences.

Department requested to repeat all or appropriate parts of this telegram to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, London and Arab capitals in its discretion.

Drew

1. Alternate spelling of Shuneh.

2. Not printed; it reported that on December 3, the “King learned for first time by telephone call from Israeli authority of establishment of roadblock and hostilities then in progress. Apparently he had been kept in ignorance by Minister of Defense who ordered roadblock established and Kirkbride himself was not consulted by Glubb Pasha. King was deeply shocked with situation which was aggravated by Israeli air force plane circling over his palace in early afternoon. He returned Amman in towering rage, sent for Prime Minister and demanded his immediate resignation. He has vowed that Minister of Defense, Fawzi Pasha Mulki will never again hold cabinet position during his lifetime. King has ordered Glubb Pasha in future to report personally to him all plans for military movements affecting Israeli relations.

   “All concerned disposed consider incident as closed. Kirkbride expresses opinion it may have salutary effect in long run by showing Legion that Israeli threats are not necessarily bluffs and Israelis that Legion does not push around easily.

   “While Cabinet would have fallen in near future in any event, Gharandal incident hastened its fall.” (684A.85/12–450)

3. Embassy Tel Aviv reported, on December 11, that in a conversation the previous day, Mr. Shiloah denied that any Israeli plane had flown over Jordanian territory in recent weeks or that any Israeli plane had circled over the King’s palace on December 3. He also indicated he planned to visit the King at Shuna on December 12 or 13 at the King’s invitation. (Telegram 342, 684A.85/12–1250) The Embassy, on December 18 forwarded to the Department a translation of Mr. Shiloah’s letter of December 1 to the King. (Despatch 296, 684A.85/12–1850)