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Violent Truce: A Military Observer Looks at The Arab-Israeli Conflict 1951-1955
199 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1956
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 8, 2026
An invaluable record of the situation along the demarcation line between Israel and Jordanian-occupied territory in the early 1950s. The author explicitly states that although he thought that he was arriving in the Middle East as a neutral observer, in hindsight, he was pro Israel at the time. Three years of seeing what was happening with his own eyes made him realize that Israel was the aggressor and the Palestinian, Jordanian, and other Arabs were the victims.
He documents episodes that are still being repeated in the secondary literature decades later, such as the “barrel incident” in which Israel was caught red-handed smuggling what must have been armaments to an exclave under its control within the West Bank, when a UN officer inserted a dipping rod into what was supposed to be a barrel of fuel and the rod made contact with something metallic well short of the bottom. The Israeli‘s immediately managed to get the transport truck itself back to Israeli territory, beyond the UN’s jurisdiction, while blocking the UN observers from opening the barrel itself. Inexplicably, the UN ultimately gave in and returned the barrel to the Israelis on the grounds that, since its contents clearly did not match the description on the manifesto, it was not actually part of the convoy and therefore not under their jurisdiction. As the author points out, and so doing they handed the Israelis a blank cheque to engage in as much smuggling as they pleased.
Another particularly heartbreaking anecdote involves the line of demarkation cutting a Palestinian village off from its water system, by a grand total of 3 yards. The obvious solution would have been to move the demarcation line imperceptibly to the west, giving the village access to its water supply. Of course, the Israelis refused and explicitly stated that anyone crossing the line would be shot dead. Truly, barbarism beyond words.
He backs his anecdotal observations with compilations of UN data showing how much less regard the Israelis showed for the armistice agreements or the lines of demarcation: in essence, they did whatever they liked in complete impunity. Plus ça change…
He documents episodes that are still being repeated in the secondary literature decades later, such as the “barrel incident” in which Israel was caught red-handed smuggling what must have been armaments to an exclave under its control within the West Bank, when a UN officer inserted a dipping rod into what was supposed to be a barrel of fuel and the rod made contact with something metallic well short of the bottom. The Israeli‘s immediately managed to get the transport truck itself back to Israeli territory, beyond the UN’s jurisdiction, while blocking the UN observers from opening the barrel itself. Inexplicably, the UN ultimately gave in and returned the barrel to the Israelis on the grounds that, since its contents clearly did not match the description on the manifesto, it was not actually part of the convoy and therefore not under their jurisdiction. As the author points out, and so doing they handed the Israelis a blank cheque to engage in as much smuggling as they pleased.
Another particularly heartbreaking anecdote involves the line of demarkation cutting a Palestinian village off from its water system, by a grand total of 3 yards. The obvious solution would have been to move the demarcation line imperceptibly to the west, giving the village access to its water supply. Of course, the Israelis refused and explicitly stated that anyone crossing the line would be shot dead. Truly, barbarism beyond words.
He backs his anecdotal observations with compilations of UN data showing how much less regard the Israelis showed for the armistice agreements or the lines of demarcation: in essence, they did whatever they liked in complete impunity. Plus ça change…
January 28, 2023
Author’s Note- “Violent Truce briefly relates a few of my personal experiences as a Military Observer assigned to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) Palestine, during the period November 1951 through October 1954.”
Hutchison was a Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Included are Forewards by Major General Vagn Bennike Chief of Staff, UNTSO; Lt. Colonel William McAninch Military Observer, UNTSO; Major John DeBarr, USMC, Military Observer, UNTSO.
The author begins with a brief history of the conflict and then relates the realities on the ground as he experienced them. In his conclusion, Hutchison states, “They (Zionists) feel secure in the belief that Zionism speaks for all Jews and that their every move will be condoned by this group. They assume that World Zionism will gain in strength and influence to the point where foreign aid can not only be assured but geared to Israel’s every need.” Yet, Hutchison remained hopeful after departing Palestine.
Violent Truce was significant enough to have been reviewed by both Foreign Affairs and Commentary magazines in 1956 and 1957.
Hutchison was a Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Included are Forewards by Major General Vagn Bennike Chief of Staff, UNTSO; Lt. Colonel William McAninch Military Observer, UNTSO; Major John DeBarr, USMC, Military Observer, UNTSO.
The author begins with a brief history of the conflict and then relates the realities on the ground as he experienced them. In his conclusion, Hutchison states, “They (Zionists) feel secure in the belief that Zionism speaks for all Jews and that their every move will be condoned by this group. They assume that World Zionism will gain in strength and influence to the point where foreign aid can not only be assured but geared to Israel’s every need.” Yet, Hutchison remained hopeful after departing Palestine.
Violent Truce was significant enough to have been reviewed by both Foreign Affairs and Commentary magazines in 1956 and 1957.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews