867N.01/5–3148: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith) to the Secretary of State
1016. An Arab colleague tells me that during recent conversation on other matters, Vishinsky insisted, despite his (Arab’s) expressed unwillingness, on discussing Palestine. Vishinsky justified Soviet support of partition on familiar lines of right of Palestine Jews to self-determination and independence, and rehearsed Soviet support Arab independence. He then went on to say Soviet Government had always been opposed to Zionism as tool of British imperialism and had not changed this view. However, distinction must be made between Zionism and Jewish population in Palestine. Latter wants and is prepared for real independence and “real democracy.” Soviet Government, he indicated, would give no support to Israel which would be in conflict with its opposition to Zionism as such or with its support of national liberation movements in Arab countries.
Department pass London as Moscow’s 61.1
- London cabled on June 1: “Soviet policy re Palestine described Moscow’s 1016, May 31, to Department is partially confirmed by recent report received by Foreign Office from Bucharest quoting ‘reliable student Communist source’ to effect that first Soviet objective is to get UK forces out of Palestine and neighboring countries. USSR recognized Israel as ME state most likely to offer opportunity for Soviet domination. With same hope USSR would extend recognition promptly to any Palestine Arab state. Once in control either or both states USSR would energetically support both Jewish and Arab states against their reactionary leaders.” (Telegram 2383, 867N.01/6–148)↩