120. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, February 1, 1960, 4 p.m.1
PARTICIPANTS
- The Secretary
- Avraham Harman, Ambassador, Embassy of Israel
- Yaacov Herzog, Minister, Embassy of Israel
- NEA—G. Lewis Jones
- NE—William L. Hamilton
The Secretary expressed his concern at reports that Israel-Syrian hostilities seemed to be broadening in the Demilitarized Zone at the southeast shore of the Sea of Galilee. We were disturbed by indications that military personnel and heavy equipment were being moved into the Zone contrary to the provisions of the Israel-Syrian Armistice Agreement. We hoped both sides would cease shooting and seek a solution through the UNTSO mechanism.
Ambassador Harman said that the Government of Israel is in touch with General Von Horn and wants only to achieve restoration of the status quo. Israel’s action was to be defended, however, since the Syrians were first to violate the Armistice Agreement by introducing into the Zone military personnel disguised as peasants cultivating Arab-owned lands. The Israelis have no objection to Arab farmers entering the Zone but could not tolerate Syrian efforts to alter the status quo to their advantage.2
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86B3/2–160. Confidential; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Hamilton and approved by S on February 6. See also supra .↩
- On February 1, the Embassy in Tel Aviv, in telegram 723, received in the Department of State at 1:17 p.m., reported that the Israeli Defense Forces had eliminated a Syrian fortified position within the southern demilitarized zone. Reid in a telephone conversation with Meir that morning “repeatedly urged” that no further action be taken. (Ibid., Central Files, 684A.86B/2–160)↩