12 Facts About Abdullah Tal

Abdullah Tal served as the commander of the 6th regiment of Jordan's Arab Legion during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and was one of the main Jordanian military leaders in the Battle for Jerusalem as well as the West Bank front of the war.

Abdullah Tal received his primary education in the city, but moved to al-Salt for his high school education.

Abdullah Tal initially served in the 1st Brigade as a second lieutenant, becoming a first lieutenant in May 1943, and captain in September 1944.

Abdullah Tal appears to have had no wish to send troops into Jerusalem.

Abdullah Tal had 12 25-pounder field guns and 2 Iraqi six-inch howitzers available, but they were rationed to ten shells per gun per day.

Abdullah Tal instructed his negotiators to refuse the return of refugees to Ramle and Jaffa, but to leave open the question of Arabs returning to Lydda and to mention the possibility of an access corridor to Gaza.

Dayan, El Tell and King Abdullah Tal were involved in a series of meetings between 18 and 23 March 1949 at which the "Israel-Transjordanian Armistice Agreement" was finalised.

Abdullah Tal went so far to even say that King Abdullah was a traitor and responsible for the loss of Palestine.

Abdullah Tal called for the Arab League to set up an inquiry.

On 20 July 1951 King Abdullah Tal was assassinated in Jerusalem.

Abdullah Tal was later appointed by King Hussein to the Jordanian upper house of parliament as Senator, which he served until 1972 when he died.

Abdullah Tal spoke about the King, even in the King's presence, in a way which could only be described as contemptuous, and yet seemed to feel affection for him and to be genuinely anxious to safeguard his interests.