867N.01/6–2548
Memorandum by the Acting Secretary of State to the Presidents Special Counsel (Clifford)
Subject: Activities of the Irgun Zvai Leumi and Stern Gang in Palestine
I wish to draw your especial attention to the two attached telegrams from Jerusalem (963 of June 24 and 973 of June 25).
As you know, we have been working on a plan for the internationalization of Jerusalem and have had some indication that the International Red Cross would be willing to cooperate in such a venture. Before the present truce they had succeeded in establishing three security zones in Jerusalem where non-combatants could take refuge, and it has been our hope that the idea of a security zone could be spread to include all of Jerusalem.
While there have been minor violations of the truce, it has to date been reasonably well observed by both the Jews and the Arabs. However, telegram no. 963 presents a rather alarming picture of the activities of the Irgun and Stern Gang. It appears that both groups have succeeded in bringing reinforcements into the city during the truce period and are now fortifying the strategic positions within the city. Dr. Joseph, Chairman of the Jewish Jerusalem Emergency Committee, has informed the Truce Commission that he is unable to be responsible for the acts of the Irgun and Stern Gang in Jerusalem. Telegram no. 973 of June 25 summarizes a circular of the Stern Gang which constitutes a veiled threat against the American, French, Belgian and Swedish observers now in Palestine. They characterize these observers as a “foreign body hostile to us which penetrated into our country under guise of neutrality”.
Further difficulties which the Provisional Government of Israel is fading are illustrated by the incident at Tel Aviv in which an Irgun [Page 1155] ship operated by the Peter Bergson group engaged in open conflict with Hagannah.1
I fear that the situation in Jerusalem may become increasingly serious and threaten the whole structure of the present truce. For this reason I suggest that you show the President the two telegrams attached.