Inside Report (2)

September 19, 1980

Look for the controversy over Israel's treatment of Arab prisoners to heat up again. It could be brought to a boil by a new book, "Jerusalem 1500," to be published early next year in Chicago. The title is drawn from a controversial cable from the US consulate in Jerusalem dated May 31, 1978. The cable charged that "Israeli torture of Arab prisoners in the occupied territories may be a widespread and even common practice."

The book is by the author of that cable, Alexandra Johnson, who says she was dismissed from the Foreign Service because of her charges.

Miss Johnson says her earlier reports forced the Israelis to switch to torture methods which leave no visible signs.m