501.BB Palestine/8–1148: Telegram
The Consul General at Jerusalem (Macdonald) to the Secretary of State
1187. At meeting yesterday morning Bernadotte informed military governor Jewish Jerusalem that Jews have been more aggressive in violating truce by sniping and small arms fire than Arabs. This is definitely correct re Jerusalem area although accusation denied vigorously by military governor.
Mediator asked military governor if he had any suggestions for safeguarding Jerusalem from possibility of future fighting to which [Page 1302] he replied that Arab Legion should withdraw to Transjordan but stated he realized this suggestion would not be accepted. Bernadotte then said he would issue an order prohibiting any return fire by either side for three days as soon as more observers arrive as an attempt to eliminate sniping. Joseph agreed to this proposal but refused to accede to a following suggestion made by General Riley, chief of American observers, that armed troops and guns be withdrawn from strategic place such as Notre Dame on Jewish side and from equally strategic place on Arab side as an initial effort to withdraw military forces from Jerusalem. Joseph based his refusal on grounds Arabs could not be trusted and any withdrawal of Jewish troops would leave that area open to Arab attack. He also said this was a military matter to which tie could not commit the military commander. When asked to refer it to the military commander he said he doubted military commander would agree to consider or discuss this suggestion with UN observers because of its political implications. Political implications to which the military governor constantly refers is the question of an international Jerusalem. Mediator then specifically requested Joseph to endeavor arrange meeting between the military commander Jewish Jerusalem and UN observers to carry on discussions along above lines to which military governor agreed but stated he could not guarantee military commander would meet Bernadotte’s request.
Military governor was on defensive yesterday and his attitude was better than last week. Mediator referred to him as being slightly less objectionable than usual.
Similar suggestions were made to Arab Legion leaders yesterday afternoon as presented Jews and Arabs agreed but suggested that prohibition against returning fire be a permanent order rather than limited to three days.
Mediator presented strong letter to both sides regarding sniping and similar violations truce and threatened to get tough and refer question to SC if conditions do not improve.
Disregard for truce has increased steadily creating mounting distrust on part of Arab and Jews re each other’s intentions. Mediator’s latest efforts in addition to greatly increased number of observers Jerusalem area should result in improving situation if Jews cooperate but from their past actions and general attitude at recent conferences I am pessimistic regarding their intentions. Inasmuch as they are very sensitive to criticism and public opinion their attitude and policies might be influenced and directed towards better cooperation if they were publicly criticised by the UN and especially by the United States of [for] their failure to cooperate in finding a solution to the Palestine problem.