Office of the Historian

140. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel1

Washington, March 24, 1960—5:21 p.m.

708. Re Athens 2564 rpt Tel Aviv 48, Bucharest 15.2 Department does not wish alter its existing policy noninvolvement Israel immigration problems. In our view, USG involvement likely produce undesirable repercussions in Near East area which would far outweigh usefulness, if any, of USG intervention. Israelis have long been familiar with USG views in this regard.

Accordingly it is suggested you take no initiative in re-opening subject of Greek attitude toward transit of Rumanian refugees. However if subject raised by Foreign Ministry you may indicate we doubt our intercession would be appropriate or helpful. You might add that, [Page 306] unlike case of Syrian Jews, Israelis themselves have direct access to Greek Government; thus satisfactory channel is available to GOI for further pursuit of matter.3

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 884A.1866/3–1860. Secret. Drafted by Hamilton and Thacher on March 22; cleared in substance with GTI, EE, and ORM; and approved and signed for Herter by Jones. Repeated to Athens and Bucharest.↩
  2. Telegram 2564, March 18, reported that the Romanians had chartered 16 flights to Athens for Jewish refugees. (Ibid.)↩
  3. On April 1, the Israeli Counselor asked Hamilton for assistance on this question and was given a reply along the lines summarized in telegram 708. (Memorandum of conversation; ibid., 884A.1866/4–160)↩