The Haj - Leon Uris [163]
The obscure village of Talal hosted their secret contacts. The village was near the battle lines around Ramallah where some of her fields spilled over into Jewish-held territory. Fighting was static on this front under a tacit understanding, a quasi-truce that allowed the peasants to cross back and forth to tend their crops.
Every so often, a Jordanian squad would sweep in and advise the villagers to clear their fields and stay inside their homes. Shortly afterward, a vehicle bearing Zyyad would whisper in and park near an abandoned observation post.
A few moments later, a lone figure would advance from the Jewish side and make contact by a signal lamp. With a return signal, Gideon crossed over and entered the post.
A bottle of Johnny Walker Black Label, which Gideon only saw these days at his meetings with Zyyad, sat on the desk awaiting his arrival. As Gideon entered, Zyyad filled the glasses.
‘To our British mentors.’
Gideon held up his glass in salute. ‘It has just been settled, Zyyad. The Island of Rhodes has been agreed upon for the armistice talks. Ralph Bunche himself has agreed to mediate. Abdullah will be informed within the hour in Amman.’
‘Then Jordan will be speaking with you first,’ Zyyad said eagerly.
‘No, it’s going to be the Egyptians,’ Gideon answered.
‘You promised we would negotiate first.’
‘I promised I’d try. I tried. I couldn’t swing it.’
‘It makes no sense. The Egyptian Army is completely routed. We hold territory. You must speak with us first.’
‘Unfortunately, the powers that be still consider Egypt to be the major Arab nation.’
‘They fought like women!’
Gideon shrugged.
‘When does the conference begin?’ Zyyad asked.
‘In a week or ten days. I think January thirteenth was mentioned.’
Colonel Zyyad twirled his glass, sipped, grunted. ‘How long can you stall a cease-fire with the Egyptians?’
‘Not for very long,’ Gideon said, knowing he was to fly down to the Negev and give the order personally.
‘The Egyptians are ready to collapse,’ Zyyad said. ‘Two days—three at most—and they will surrender the Gaza Strip to you with half of their army.’
‘We have no designs on the Gaza Strip,’ Gideon answered.
‘Stop playing Arab games with me,’ Zyyad said with a trace of irritation. ‘Jordan must have the Gaza Strip and access to the sea through Israeli territory.’
‘I see that you gentlemen in Amman are already into future planning.’
The Kingdom has one outlet to the sea in Aqaba. Egypt can choke it off at will. We cannot remain at their mercy. We must have a port in Gaza.’
‘The British should have thought of that when they created the mess in Eastern Palestine, Zyyad. Besides, haven’t you got it mixed up about who is your ally and who is your enemy?’
‘You want me to say it? All right, I’ll say it. Egypt is more our enemy than Israel. You know why we have to have Gaza. We also know what you want in return and we are prepared to deal.’
‘If you’re going to ask us to capture and hold the Gaza Strip for you, then we are going to ask for a peace treaty in return. Not a truce, not an armistice, but a peace treaty. You know that Abdullah is not strong enough to make a treaty, even if he wants to.’
Working with the new Jewish state through a territorial interdependence had great appeal to Abdullah. Economically, he stood to benefit by collaboration with the Jews. As ‘silent’ partners, Israel and Jordan would cause Egypt, Iraq, and Syria to ponder heavily before trying another attack. After all, the Jews and Abdullah were artificially forced enemies.
A peace treaty? A thunderously bold idea. But it would be Abdullah’s death warrant. Abdullah would be declared a non-Arab, a pariah, a leper. Even his own Legion might turn on him. No, such a bold move was not to be made.
Zyyad withdrew an envelope of royal stationery, but the back was not sealed. ‘Read it, please, then I’ll seal it.’
Honorable David Ben-Gurion,
Prime Minister, State of Israel
Most distinguished friend and adversary:
We have fought an arduous and bloody war,