FROM OUR ARCHIVES
65 YEARS AGO
On November 14, 1951, The Jerusalem Post reported that transportation minister David Zvi Pinkas was expected to take a decision within 48 hours on getting the Israeli ships lying idle in Haifa harbor sailing again. No steps had been taken for the transfer of cargo intended for shipment by the ships, immobilized by the seamen’s strike, the minister added. He acknowledged, however, that there might be some delay in citrus exports and charged that the seamen’s walk-out was not caused by job considerations such as salary or work conditions, but by political considerations.
Authority to requisition a whole range of transport and equipment, ranging from donkeys and sewing machines to aircraft and sailing vessels, was vested in the Army in an Emergency Regulation adopted by the Knesset. The regulation was to be valid until December 31, 1952.
A contribution sent to prime minister David Ben-Gurion by an anonymous Swiss citizen “moved by the fulfillment of the Prophecy of the Ingathering of Exiles” was the first gift received by the Post’s Sa’ad Home Aid Society Hanukka Toy Fund drive. The prime minister instructed the Finance Ministry to place the donation, IL168, at the disposal of the drive. Post readers were reminded that the Hanukka Toy Drive for the children of new immigrants would open on December 1, 1951, and contributions would be accepted at any of the Post offices.
50 YEARS AGO
On November 14, 1966, The Jerusalem Post reported that less than 30 hours after a Jordanian mine blew up an Israeli command car, killing three Israeli soldiers and wounding six, the IDF sent two armored columns several kilometers deep into Jordan-held territory in the Hebron area ]under Arab Legion occupation until 1967]. A Hunter VI plane, one of the four Jordan sent to stop the Israeli force, was shot down in the air during the engagement with one of the Israel Mirages which intercepted them. None of the Mirages was hit. The main Israeli forces blew up 40 houses – their main objective – in Samua, a village of about 4,000, which had harbored the marauders; took prisoner three Jordanian soldiers, including a major who later died of his wounds, and captured two Land Rovers, as well as quantity of field weapons. Israeli losses were one dead and 10 wounded, three of them seriously.
Prime minister Levi Eshkol told the cabinet that Israel would not permit sabotage, and countries aiding marauders would be held responsible. The US voiced regret over the Jordanian border clash and deplored the use of force.
Syrian positions facing the Hula Valley maintained intermittent bursts of machine-gun fire throughout the day.
25 YEARS AGO
On November 14, 1991, The Jerusalem Post reported that prime minister Yitzhak Shamir left for the US for a meeting with president George H.W. Bush. While the purpose of the trip was ostensibly to drum up support among American Jews to invest in Israel to provide jobs for new Soviet immigrants, a broader strategy was expected.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with Jewish leaders at the White House, Bush refused to commit himself to support the granting of the $10 billion loan in housing guarantees for Israel when his self-imposed 120day delay for consideration would end in February 1992.
According to Shamir’s personal aide, Yossi Ahimeir, Shamir requested to be given equal time on Egyptian TV, following Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak’s personal appearance on Israeli TV.
The cabinet defense committee approved the establishment of a Civil Defense Command, that would coordinate military and civilian activities pertaining to defense of population centers.
– Alexander Zvielli