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

867N.01/2–1147: Telegram

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

secret

London, February 11, 1947—2 p. m.

926. Beeley’s report (Embassy’s 898, February 10¹) re 2½ hour meeting between JA Delegation and British Delegation yesterday afternoon follows:

1. Ben-Gurion opened with statement that JA Delegation has rejected Morrison plan and that present proposals moved away from Morrison plan in direction of White Paper.

2. Ben-Gurion argued that British proposals envisaged 100,000 immigrants in 2 years instead of in 1 year as Morrison plan suggested. Re this argument, Beeley commented that Morrison plan was contingent upon US support for plan as whole. British had given specific Warning that alteration in immigration rate might be necessary if US support was not forthcoming.

3. Ben-Gurion said that under British proposals after 2 years further immigration would be dependent upon UN decision. British Delegation pointed out that this was not strictly true: it had in mind decision re immigration by an arbitration tribunal set up under UN auspices.

4. Ben-Gurion was concerned by fact Jewish areas would not be necessarily continguous. He envisaged a series of Jewish enclaves. Beeley said discussion this point was complicated by absence of British map, and no specific reply was made by British Delegation. What British have in mind, Beeley said is “three or four” Jewish areas united administratively under one Jewish authority, total Jewish area being about the same as under Morrison plan. This will be explained to JA representatives at meeting today. (See paragraph 13.)

5. Ben-Gurion deplored fact that under proposals JA would lose its status under mandate.

6. Ben-Gurion’s main objection was under proposals Palestine would be independent state with Arab majority after 5 years. Ben-Gurion said: “We do not care to have a Palestine state. This is not our business”. British Delegation replied that it was not prejudging character of Palestine state which would be UN matter.

7. Ben-Gurion said that British under their proposals would continue to control immigration but settlement would be restricted to Jewish areas. Beeley said that this was an unfortunate misunderstanding which he was afraid British Delegation had not yet made clear to JA Delegation. Under proposals Jewish immigrants could go anywhere in Palestine and do anything except buy land in Arab areas. Immigrants could, for example, settle on land already owned by Jews in Arab areas.

8. Ben-Gurion argued at length that position of Arab minority in Jewish state would be far better than that of Jewish minority in Arab state because in former case Jews being surrounded by Arab countries would be forced to treat Arab minority well.

9. At this point Creech Jones said forcefully that JA Delegation was putting worst possible interpretation on every phrase of British proposals.

10. Goldmann said that there is definite risk that when matter is referred to UN, UN will establish a state with an Arab majority. He suggested to British Delegation that it should put forward to UN a partition proposal.

11. Bevin said that if neither side would acquiesce to proposals British Government would go to UN with no recommendations. Govt would, however, make available to UN all plans relating to Palestine including Arab proposals. Bevin made no mention of possibility of special UN GA meeting to consider matter. Bevin asked again for JA’s partition proposals.

12. JA Delegation replied that it was prepared to accept, but not to advance, partition and pointed out that if JA Delegation had not produced map neither had British Delegation.

13. Bevin said that British Delegation would show JA Delegation a map. Bevin’s intention was that JA would in return show British Delegation its map. Here, Beeley thought JA Delegation got best of argument because while Brook,² Harris and Beeley are scheduled to show Ben-Gurion, Shertok and Horowitz a British map this afternoon at 5:30, he was not sure that JA Delegation understood that it would have to produce its map. British would show British map in any case.

14. Beeley said atmosphere meeting was relatively friendly and that while there is no prospect of JA Delegation agreement to British proposals no door is yet closed.

15. Re Arab Delegation British have had no official notice of Arab reactions but are hourly expecting note from Arab Delegation commenting on proposals. British Delegation is standing by to meet this afternoon with Arab Delegation at 3 p. m. if Arab Delegation requests meeting.

Gallman

1. Not printed.
2. Sir Norman Brook had headed the British Delegation negotiating with the Grady Mission.