867N.01/1–1747
President Truman to the King of Saudi Arabia (Abdul Aziz ibn Saud)1
Your Majesty: I deeply regret my delay in replying to the further letter regarding Palestine which Your Majesty sent me on November 2, [Page 1012] 19462 through the Saudi Arabian Legation in Washington. The delay arose from my desire that careful study be given to the points which Your Majesty raised in the letter.
The frank and friendly manner of your response to my message of October 25, 19463 is deeply appreciated. I am convinced that this response was prompted not only by your interest in the welfare of the Arab population of Palestine but also by your sincere desire that the bonds of friendship between the United States and Saudi Arabia be strengthened and that the United States follow a policy with regard to Palestine which would enhance its reputation throughout the Arab and Moslem world.
For my part I wish again to emphasize my earnest desire that the friendship between the United States and Saudi Arabia which this country values so highly will continue to grow stronger. It also is my sincere hope that friendship and cooperation between the United States and the Arab world, and indeed the whole Moslem world, will continue to increase as the realization becomes more widespread among the American people and among Arabs and Moslems that all of them are striving for the common objective of a peaceful and prosperous world based upon principles of justice and fairness.
Palestine is undoubtedly one of the most difficult problems faced by the world at the present time. The United States is anxious that this problem shall be solved in a manner that will be recognized by the world as just and fair. As I indicated to you in my message of October 25, the United States and other Powers, which as victors in the first World War bore a certain responsibility for the future of Palestine, took the position following the conclusion of that war that Palestine should be the site of a Jewish national home. There was a strong feeling in this country that the Jewish people who had made so many notable contributions to the world were entitled to a national home of their own, and it seemed appropriate that this national home should be established in a land which for thousands of years had been regarded by Jews as their spiritual home.
In supporting the establishment of the Jewish National Home in Palestine the United States had no thought of embarking upon a policy which would be prejudicial to the interests of the indigenous population of Palestine, and it has no such thought at the present time. The Government and the people of this country desire that the fundamental rights of both the Arab and Jewish population of Palestine shall be fully safeguarded and that in Palestine Arabs and Jews alike shall prosper and shall lead lives free of any kind of political or economic [Page 1013] oppression, We would be firmly opposed to any solution of the Palestine problem which would permit a majority of the population to discriminate against a minority on religious, racial or other grounds. It is our belief that this problem should be solved in such a manner that the various religious and ethnic groups will have similar opportunities and freedoms regardless of which group might be in the numerical majority at any given time. I am convinced, furthermore, that the responsible Jewish groups and leaders interested in developing the Jewish National Home in Palestine have no intention of expelling now or at a later date the indigenous inhabitants of that country or of using Palestine as a base for aggression against neighboring Arab States. No people has suffered more than the Jews during recent years from aggression and intolerance. No people stands more in need of world sympathy and support at the present time. It is therefore inconceivable that responsible Jewish groups or leaders could be contemplating acts of intolerance and aggression against Arabs in Palestine or elsewhere which would be sure to arouse public opinion and to provoke indignation throughout the world. I also am convinced that the terrorist acts of certain irresponsible Jewish groups in Palestine are by no means indicative of the temper of Jews in general throughout the world or symbolic of Jewish aspirations respecting Palestine. These acts in fact are deplored by the great body of Jews who fully realize that resort to terrorism merely renders the problem of Palestine more difficult of solution.
I take this occasion again to point out that I do not consider the various statements which were made by me, including those urging that at least 100,000 Jewish refugees from Europe be admitted into Palestine, are in any way inconsistent with previous assurances or statements made by the Government of the United States. This Government has repeatedly stated that in its view there should be no change in the basic situation in Palestine without consultation with both Arabs and Jews. During the last year a number of consultations with Arabs and Jews have actually taken place. Unfortunately these consultations did not lead to any agreed solution of the Palestine problem. They have served, however, to emphasize the urgency of this problem and the necessity that a solution of it be found without protracted delay. I am confident that Your Majesty will agree with me that until decisions have been reached with regard to the future of Palestine the uncertainties which at present are at least to an extent responsible for unsettled conditions in that country will continue to exert a disturbing influence in Palestine and adjacent areas.
It is my desire again to express my appreciation for the frankness of your letter of November 2, 1946, which testifies not only to your friendship [Page 1014] but also to the friendship of the people of Saudi Arabia for the United States. I can assure you that I and the people of the United States desire to maintain and strengthen our feelings of friendship toward you and the people of Saudi Arabia and toward the rulers and peoples of all Arab lands.
Very sincerely yours,
- Transmitted to Jidda in instruction 41, January 24, for delivery to the King.↩
- Foreign Relations, 1946, vol. vii, p. 717.↩
- Ibid., p. 714.↩