Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The Near East and Africa, Volume V

867N.01/1–947: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman) to the Secretary of State

top secret

London, January 9, 1947—7 p. m.

161. 1. British press today indicated that Ben-Gurion-Creech Jones talk yesterday dealt with steps to be taken by former while in Palestine to suppress terrorism. (Embassy’s 132, January 8¹) According Epstein,² following actually took place.

2. Creech Jones suggested to Ben-Gurion that informal, clear, comprehensive and decisive talks between British Govt and representatives of Jewish Agency and their advisers should begin in London, January 22. Talks would be “informal” in sense that JA would be spared necessity of consulting Special Committee³ unless it desired to do so. Proposed talks would not be part of Palestine conference.

3. According Epstein, Ben-Gurion in his capacity as Chairman JA Executive and exercising powers as number one Zionist leader accepted “suggestion of Creech Jones” for talks beginning January 22.

4. Creech Jones mentioned but did not stress terrorism. Ben-Gurion voluntarily undertook to do his utmost to quiet conditions in Palestine inasmuch, as forthcoming talks would be jeopardized by continuing terror.

5. Epstein said Ben-Gurion made known his decision last night to Locker,⁴ Shertok⁵ and Goldmann who concurred. Efforts are being made today to inform Rabbi Silver by telephone since group in London agreed that either he or Neumann⁶ should take part in talks. Silver had earlier expressed his agreement in principle to such talks.

6. Ben-Gurion departed by air for Palestine today. He will return London on or before January 20 when full meeting will take place of JA delegation.

7. JA delegation has not been selected by Epstein though it would include Ben-Gurion, Kaplan,⁷ Shertok, Goldmann, Silver or Neumann, plus technical advisers on agriculture, irrigation, etc. Latter because it was anticipated that partition would be discussed and maps would be drawn.

8. Shertok and Epstein depart January 11 for Washington where Shertok will discuss forthcoming talks with Dept and Silver. He will probably raise with Dept desirability of appointing American observer.

9. Epstein said that it had been agreed between Ben-Gurion and Creech Jones that informal talks 22nd would be kept secret for present. He said less than dozen people now know that they will take place, and asked Embassy not to reveal to its British contacts that it is aware of decision.

10. Beeley,⁸ Foreign Office, telephoned Embassy a few minutes after Epstein departed and volunteered in strict confidence substantially same story, differences being that while Epstein said that Creech Jones took initiative both conversations with Ben-Gurion, according Beeley, Colonial Secretary had “accepted” JA’s proposal for informal talks. As Beeley put it Ben-Gurion had undertaken to try to convene a meeting of his colleagues in London, January 22. Foreign Office thought that to do this Ben-Gurion would have to do some persuading. Beeley again urged utmost secrecy (Embassy’s 101 January 7⁹) in handling information. He said that Colonial Secretary had promised Ben-Gurion to keep down so far as possible publicity concerning JA talks when they occur. Talks might be represented to world as a routine meeting of the JA Executive in London.

11. Embassy will seek further details from Goldmann tomorrow.

Gallman

1. Not printed.
2. Eliahu Epstein, Director of the Jewish Agency Office in Washington.
3. Telegram 132, January 8, from London, reported that, according to the decision of the Basel Congress, the Special Committee needed to be consulted only if formal participation in the Palestine Conference was envisaged (867N.01/1–847).
4. Berl Locker, member of the Executive of the Jewish Agency, London Section.
5. Moshe Shertok, Chief of the Political Department of the Jewish Agency and member of its Executive, American Section.
6. Emanuel Neumann, member of the Executive of the Jewish Agency, American Section.
7. Eliezer Kaplan, member of the Executive of the Jewish Agency and Treasurer of the Agency.
8. Harold Beeley, desk officer for Palestine in the British Foreign Office.
9. Not printed.