Information on King Abdullah’s assassination, including public opinion, statements by communist parliamentarians, and former British soldiers
July 21, 1951
Regarding the Assassination of King Abdullah ['Abd Allāh]
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16/11
Beirut 21/7/1951
Subject: Regarding the assassination of King Abdullah
I was not able to contact the relevant elements to learn the reasons behind the assassination of His Majesty King Abdullah. However, I learned yesterday the following: the assassin, Mostapha Shukri 'Asho, who is a member of the demolition squad of the Sacred Jihad Organisation, is among the followers of the Grand Mufti of Palestine and President of the Higher Arab Committee, Haj Amin al- Husseini. His Eminence had established his squad when war was declared against the Jews in Palestine and the Salvation Army was formed.
I learned that this combatant was in permanent contact with a Palestinian individual, working within the King's entourage, sent to Amman a few months earlier, by Haj Amin al-Husseini, to assassinate His Majesty. The man was given a revolver and a sum of money through elements working for His Eminence in Palestine. This Palestinian individual, however, had approached His Majesty, told him everything, and shown him the revolver and the money. The King was convinced by his account and took him in as a servant in his entourage. After the incident, it became clear that this was a ploy on the Palestinian's part to trick the King and allay his fears. He had succeeded in his mission until the assassin Mostaha 'Asho's appearance on the scene, and the events of His Majesty's assassination that unfolded as detailed in the newspapers.
This is the first quick account given to me by a Jordanian source; in any case, it needs further close scrutiny and consideration. I will give you more details in a future report.
Information on the assassin of King 'Abd Allāh (Abdullah) of Jordan
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Emir Farid Chehab Collection, GB165-0384, Box 11, File 16/11, Middle East Centre Archive, St Antony’s College, Oxford.
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2017-12-13
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Youmna and Tony Asseily