867N.01/6–2848: Telegram
The Chargé in Egypt (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
857. Embassy unable to verify as correct report Israel would bar 300,000 Arab refugees from Jewish state (Deptel 843, June 21, 19481). It is suggested that while such action can no doubt be justified by Israel as necessary security measure for new state, its application probably would (1) confirm current Arab view that no peace or security exists for Arabs if Jewish state is permitted and that statements by Zionists that they seek Arab friendship have no basis in fact; (2) convince Arabs that real intention of Jews is to dispossess refugee Arabs of property and enterprises in Israel in order to provide space and economic opportunities for Jewish immigrants.
Action would, therefore, probably intensify Arab bitterness towards Jews everywhere and possibly lead to recriminatory action against Jews in Arab section Palestine and in Arab states including eviction and confiscation of property.
Sent Department 857, paraphrase to Arab capitals.
- This was a repeat of telegram 629 to Jerusalem; not printed.↩