Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V, Part 2

The United Nations Mediator in Palestine (Bernadotte) to the Secretary-General of the United Nations (Lie)¹

[Rhodes ?] 5 July 1948.

For the President of the Security Council:

The following proposals have been submitted to the parties on 3 and 5 July 1948:

During that very short period, a first effort has been made to explore the possibilities for effective mediation of the Palestine dispute. It could have been expected that in these four weeks a peaceful adjustment of the future situation in Palestine could have been achieved on the basis of agreement between the parties.

On the whole, the truce has worked well. There have been complaints from both sides as to the alleged violations of the terms of Truce Agreement. There have been instances of violation, but all fighting on a major scale has been stopped, and it can be said quite confidently that the truce has worked well, and by 9 July 1948, neither State will have gained any significant military advantage from its application. In the meantime, through the operation of the truce, much bloodshed and destruction have been avoided and many lives spared.

The expiration of the date of the truce on 9 July is now imminent. The parties to the truce must answer the question whether, in the absence of agreement on the procedure and substance of mediation, they will again resort to armed conflict.

There can be little doubt that a decision to resume fighting in Palestine will be universally condemned and that the party or parties taking such a decision will be assuming a responsibility which will be viewed by the world with the utmost gravity.

The truce, in effect, is based on the resolution of the Security Council of 29 May 1948. It was the fighting in Palestine which induced it to adopt that resolution. Unless the parties themselves agree to extend the truce beyond 9 July, it may be assumed that the Security Council wall again consider the matter and take such action as circumstances may demand.

In order that the efforts toward mediation of the dispute may continue, and in the interest of a peaceful settlement of the problem by means of patient and tolerant effort and reciprocal good will, I ask the United Nations, as the United Nations Mediator on Palestine, to urgently appeal to the interested parties to accept in principle the prolongation of the truce for such period as may be decided upon in consultation with the Mediator.

1. This telegram reprinted from SC, 3rd yr., Supplement for July 1948, p. 24.