Office of the Historian

867N.01/10–3047

King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud to President Truman 1

Riyadh, October 26, 1947

At this critical moment, during which relations between the United States and the Arabs are clouded with doubt and suspicion, it is my duty as a close friend whose country is united to the people of the United States by several strong mutual political and economic ties to implore you before this last opportunity is missed to revise as quickly as is possible this dangerous situation which has resulted from the support your Government has lent to Zionism against the interests of the Arab peoples which may lead to the partition of Palestine into two states.

1.
The decision of the Government of the United States to support claims of the Zionist in Palestine is an unfriendly act directed against the Arabs and, at the same time, is inconsistent with the assurances given us by the late President Roosevelt. This decision is also inconsistent with interests of the United States in these Arab countries. It is most difficult to believe that the Government of the United States can persist in its unfriendly decision.
2.
Without doubt, the results of this decision will lead to a deathblow to American interests in the Arab countries and will disillusion the Arab’s confidence in the friendship, justice and fairness of the United States.
3.
The Arabs have definitely decided to oppose establishment of a Jewish state in any part of the Arab world. The dispute between the Arab and Jew will be violent and long-lasting and without doubt will lead to more shedding of blood. Even if it is supposed that the Jews will succeed in gaining support for the establishment of a small state by their oppressive and tyrannous means and their money, such a state must perish in a short time. The Arab will isolate such a state from the world and will lay siege to it until it dies by famine. Trade and possible prosperity of the state will be prevented; its end will be the same as that of those crusader states which were forced to relinquish coveted objects in Palestine.
4.
Such a policy of the United States is in disagreement with its long-held reputation as a defender of friendly nations against fearfulness [Page 1213] and aggression. This former policy of honor was seen in the support given Syria and Lebanon by the United States in expelling the tyrannous French; this same policy was followed in supporting Turkey and Greece against the aggression of their neighbors to the north.
The Arabs of Palestine had anticipated that this same policy of support in obtaining their right to decide their own destiny would be continued by the United States.
5.
The policy followed by the United States at the present is in disagreement with its announced policy of considering matters of immigration as an internal affair of foreign states. As the Government of the United States does not permit foreign powers to dictate policy of immigration into any of the United States, why then should the Arab permit foreign states to dictate conditions of immigration into their states? Should this policy be implemented, there will be no limit to Jewish aggression, which will be continued until they become a majority in both Palestine and Trans Jordan.
6.
As this decision is still in the hands of the United States, we hope deeply that the United States will reconsider its stand before the opportunity slips away and it becomes impossible to maintain peace and security in the Near East. The establishment of a Jewish state will be a menace to peace in the Near East. It will be cause for bloodshed and will create difficulties which will be prejudicial to the interests of the United States in the Arab countries. 12–12–1366.

October 26, 1947.2

  1. Transmitted to the Department by the Chargé in Saudi Arabia (Bailey) in telegram 456, October 30, 10 a.m., with the notation: “Sunday at Riyadh King Ibn Saud handed me unsigned message from him to His Excellency President Truman”.↩
  2. Telegram 456 concluded with: “In fairness to Arabs and by support of US policy to present both sides of question it seems only just this message ought to be released to press.

    “Copies by courier to Arab capitals and London.”

    ↩