867N.01/9–2346: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 25—2:27 a.m.]
8349. Embassy’s 8333, September 20. Following substance six Arab counter-proposals67 handed British September 19 as made available to Embassy by Armstrong, Secretary British delegation Palestine Conference.
- 1.
- Mandate should be terminated and independent Palestine declared as “unitary state”.
- 2.
- Democratic government should be established in accordance constitution to be laid down by elected constituent assembly.
- 3.
- Provisions should be made guaranteeing Jews all essential rights and safeguards normally enjoyed by minorities.
- 4.
- Jewish immigration should stop immediately and future immigration should be left entirely to future government of Palestine.
- 5.
- Friendly relations between Palestine as independent state and Great Britain should be established by treaty of alliance.
- 6.
- Guarantees should be given in a suitable instrument for sanctity of holy places, including free access without distinction religion or language.
At Conference meeting September 20 (Embassy’s 8333, September 20) Arabs agreed British suggestion that committee of Conference, including one representative each delegation, Sir Norman Brook for [Page 699] British and Secretary General Arab League, should meet to examine informally practical application Arab counter-proposals which are stated in broad terms. British made clear that at this stage there is no question of accepting Arab counter-proposals as basis for discussion.
First committee meeting held September 21 and second today. In British opinion such meetings may occupy remainder this week. Armstrong states there is nothing new re Jewish Agency participation (Embassy’s 8333, September 20).
- For text of the formal constitutional proposals submitted by the delegations of the Arab States to the Palestine Conference on September 30, 1946, see British Cmd. 7044, Palestine No. 1 (1947), p. 9.↩