867N.01/1190: Telegram (part air)
The Minister Resident in Iraq (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 24—6:10 a.m.]
42. Public and press of Iraq are being increasingly agitated by the Palestine situation. Press reports concerning the efforts of the Jews in the United States to have the United States Government intervene with the British Government on their behalf have been given special prominence as have telegrams from New York and Damascus urging Iraqis to intervene with the American Legation and the President of the United States on behalf of the Arab cause. One group has called at the Legation and the Palestine Defense Committee has telegraphed the President appealing to American justice and fairness and calling upon him to safeguard the high prestige of the United States in the Near East.
In an interview with Wallace Murray and myself the Prime Minister asserted that the Arabs of Palestine have the moral support of his Government; that partition will not be acceptable; and in substance that the Arabs will be satisfied with nothing less than an Arab State in which the Jewish minority will have ample guarantees.
In the event of new British policy unacceptable to Arabs of Palestine reaction in Iraq would probably be as follows:
- 1.
- Iraqi Government would remain faithful to Anglo-Iraq treaty of alliance but would continue to exert diplomatic pressure in support of Palestine Arabs.
- 2.
- It is conceivable that in the event of killing of large numbers of Palestine Arabs by British troops implementing new policy, demonstrations and possible violence against Iraqi Jews might take place.