867N.01/12–347: Telegram
The Ambassador in Egypt (Tuck) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
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1387. For Loy Henderson. I was received in audience by King Farouk yesterday to present Rear Admiral Ellery Stone (Rtd). On arrival Palace was informed that King wished to have private word with me before meeting Stone.
King said he wished to inform me frankly that, following the UNO decision, Egypt, in full accord with the other Arab countries, intended to resist partition in Palestine by force of arms. Egypt would make no military move until after British forces had left Palestine as he had no wish for further difficulties with Britain. He had two of his best divisions now at El Arish on Palestine frontier and, while they would remain inactive for the present, they had been sent there to guard the frontier and to restrain infiltration of Russian Jewish saboteurs into Egypt. Only five days ago he said a number of such saboteurs have [Page 1296] been apprehended on Egyptian territory and, from documents seized, there could not be the slightest doubt as to their intentions. Farouk added that it was possible that there might be some guerrilla fighting between Jews and Palestine Arabs but he reaffirmed that his forces would take no action until the British left Palestine.
The King said that it was possible that in the first phases of the Jewish-Arab conflict the Arabs might meet with initial reverses as there were Jewish elements which had participated in the World War and had had extensive commando experience. He expressed the belief, however, that in the long run the Arabs would soundly defeat the Jews and drive them out of Palestine. He said that he had as yet no clear idea of what steps UNO might take when British forces left Palestine, but if an international force were sent there to keep order it was possible that an American military contingent might form part of such a force. Thus, the King said there might exist the tragic spectacle of Arabs fighting Americans.
The King then said that there was a complete understanding between Egypt and the other Arab countries on measures to be taken in view of the situation and that following a lengthy interview he had had the day before with Azzam Pasha, Secretary General of the Arab League, instructions had gone out other Arab capitals with a view of coordinating plans, both military and economic, in preparation for the conflict. King Ibn Saud, Farouk said, had pledged him his word that he would “follow Egypt” and Farouk expressed the belief that despite the great financial advantages which Ibn Saud derived from American ventures in Saudi Arabia, “the old man would rather destroy the oil wells than break his word”. (This last statement by Farouk I consider to be exaggeration for the sake of emphasis.) The King then referred to the Jewish population in Egypt. He would do all in his power, he said, to protect them as his people had never had any real differences with Jews in Egypt who were “good people”. If however there were to occur acts of sabotage or political assassination by Jewish elements from the outside, public opinion could react so violently that, despite military and police protection, Egyptians might take matter into their own hands.
I intervened to say that it was my earnest hope that every possible measure of protection would continue to be given to Jewish and other minorities in Egypt as well as the foreign colonies for I felt that acts of open aggression against Jews or others would be most severely judged and could only react unfavorably on Egypt’s position in the world. The King admitted that this was the case but that the “Stern Gang” methods of the Jews were only too well-known and that if perpetrated [Page 1297] on Egyptian soil might exasperate his people to acts beyond control.
Weighing the King’s remarks at their face value inclines me to the following conclusion: (1) That there is no doubt but that Egypt has definitely decided to play a full share in militarily opposing the Jews in Palestine; (2) that the King possibly through the agency of Azzam Pasha and the Arab League intends, if possible, to play a leading part in coordinating, organizing Arab resistance.