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

867N.01/1–2847: Telegram

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

secret
us urgent

London, January 28, 1947—1 p. m.

577. Following obtained from Beeley, Foreign Office, today re Palestine Conference under arrangements mentioned Embassy’s 432, January 21, paragraph 4:¹

1. Bevin opened Palestine Conference noon yesterday with short statement to effect British Government is still suspending its decision until it has heard views of Palestine Arabs and Jews. Bevin said that Colonial Office would be talking informally with Jewish leaders near future. Arabs made no comment on this and Palestine Arabs were not drawn into making either detailed statement of their views or of their adherence to Arab plan filed October 3.² Jamal Husseini,³ however, made general statement re desire Palestine Arabs for self-government and their inflexible opposition to partition (see paragraph 2 below). Faris el-Khoury⁴ then said Arab Delegation had already given British Government its views in October and that Arab Delegation did not wish to have further discussions before British Government has made its reply to Arab proposals. Bevin said Creech Jones would see Jews as soon as possible and that British Delegation “would make a more definite statement on British position at next meeting”. Meeting adjourned for procedural discussion.

2. Palestine Arabs pointed out that when Palestine Conference opened initial statements of both British and Arab Delegations had been published. Now Palestine Arabs had made opening statement which they would like to give to press also. British Government saw no reasons to object and Palestine Arabs gave to press its statement substance of which was published London Times this morning and probably in US. Beeley explained that if and when Jews attend formal conference they too can publish their opening statement.

3. It was agreed that British Delegation would convene next meeting Palestine Conference “as early as possible this week”. Arabs suggested January 29 but Britains [sic] said that they would need more time for Colonial Office talks with Jews and question was left open.

4. Beeley said date of next meeting was complicated by fact that when Colonial Office asked JA how soon informal talks could begin it was told yesterday that Ben-Gurion was ill. Colonial Office still hopes talks with Jews can begin tomorrow.

5. Bevin gave small reception last night for Arab Delegation. If and when Jews attend conference Beeley said they would be given similar hospitality.

6. Arab mood is reported to be generally gloomy. According Beeley some Arab delegates have expressed resentment at published implications (Embassy’s 546, January 27⁵) that calibre of Arab delegates has been lowered. Azzam and some of the other leaders did not come because they did not like prospect of being associated with conference which they felt was bound to fail. Beeley has not noted any evidence that Arabs have shifted to more extreme line during adjournment.

7. In private conversations Arabs have displayed keenest interest outcome Gruner case.⁶ If he is not executed, Arabs will consider it to be striking example of British appeasement policy. Arabs are reported by Beeley to be saying generally that in 1938 Britain rejected partition and in 1939 adopted an alternative policy. Now Arabs understand Britains have in mind partition as a solution. This in Arab eyes can mean only that violence and law-breaking have forced Britains to yield to Zionist demands. If Zionist terror brings such dividends Arabs say that they will know what to do. Arabs appear confident that Arab strength shown 1936–39 is not impaired. Beeley said that he did not know present status Gruner case, which along with latest kidnappings, is receiving big news play British press.

8. Beeley said that he had no knowledge of present trend of thought of JA but he understood that a number of meetings of Zionist leaders here have taken place.

Gallman

1. This telegram not printed; paragraph 4 advised that Mr. Beeley had been designated the British Foreign Office official to keep the Embassy informed of developments on Palestine (867N.01/1–2147).
2. This refers, presumably, to the constitutional proposals submitted to the Palestine Conference on September 30, 1946, by the Delegations of the Arab States; see telegram 8349, September 23, 1946, Foreign Relations, 1946, vol. vii, p. 698. They are referred to, erroneously, in subsequent documents as the October proposals. Their text is printed in British Cmd. 7044, Palestine No. 1 (1947): Proposals for the Future of Palestine, p. 9.
3. Head of the Palestine Arab Delegation.
4. Head of the Syrian Delegation.
5. Not printed.
6. According to telegram 13, January 7, from Jerusalem, Dov Gruner was arrested during an armed attack on the Ramargan police station on April 23, 1946, which resulted in the death of one policeman (867N.00/1–747). He was hanged on April 16, 1947.