TEL AVIV: A so-called “Israeli” military spo­kesman announced that Jewish and Arab com­­manders in Jerusalem had held talks to­­day [Dec 12] on the observance of Christmas in Jerusalem. Usually well-informed circles here said that an agreement had been rea­ch­­ed for free movement between Jerusalem and Bethelehem, which is held by the Arabs. Ac­­c­ording to the “Israeli” spokesman, the Je­­­­wish Commander in Jerusalem, Colonel Mo­­she Dayan, told Lieutenant-Colonel Abdul­­lah Tel, the Arab Commander, that any further talks between them should be aimed at arranging an armistice for Jerusalem and later a permanent peace. Colonel Abdullah replied that he would have to get additional instructions before agreeing... .

[Meanwhile, according to a correspondent from Tehran,] leading spokesmen of the Iranian Press Association declared ... that unless India changed her attitude towards Pakistan and Kashmir, she should not expect friendship from Iran and the entire Muslim world. Her action in Junagadh, Hyderabad and Kashmir and her attitude towards Pakistan … must be brought to an end in the interests of humanity.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2023