Arabs, Armenians, Catholics
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same here under the guise of defending us. The Legion demanded the use of our Tarkmanchatz [School of the Holy
Translators] as headquarters. Their soldiers do not molest us."
Just then it was announced that Major Abdullah el Tel had
arrived unexpectedly and was waiting for an audience. My
heart sank. How had the major traced me here? Was it the
work of Zaki, or, more probably, of Nassib Boulos who—by
this time—may have discovered me as the author of Under
Cover1 and characterized my expose of Nazis and bigots as
pro-Jewish pleading. I arose to go; I did not want to involve
the Patriarch in any quarrel the major might pick with me.
The Patriarch, however, urged me to stay, and the Legion
commander strode in briskly, shook hands, and greeted me
with a smile. Oriental candy and lemonade were brought immediately, followed by demi-tasse.
The two talked informally. The major had come to hear
the Patriarch's report of the behavior of the Arab Legion,
and to reassure him that church property would remain unharmed. He urged the Patriarch to report immediately any
violation of the rules laid down for the Arab Legion. The
conversation turned to the Jews in the Old City:
"We have pushed them back to a very narrow area. They
will have to surrender in a da