501.BB Palestine/10–2348: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State
priority
Delga 467. During informal discussion with representative USDel, Acting Mediator informed us he had just had long talk with Eban PGI in which latter had spoken in very conciliatory manner re Bernadotte Plan.
According Bunche, Eban had indicated Israel would be quite content if UN action this session should consist of UN affirmation such matters as existence Jewish state, termination hostilities and right individual Arab refugees to return to their homes and if UN would throw into hopper of proposed conciliation commission for negotiation such matters as frontiers, Haifa, Lydda and access to Jerusalem, Israelis Would not in addition, resist internationalization Jerusalem nor would they open up discussion in Paris of Bernadotte Plan by requesting amendments.
Bunche attributed conciliatory approach toward increasing realization by Israelis of merit of Bunche argument that if Israelis adopted uncompromising attitude on Bernadotte Plan it appeared most unlikely ⅔ vote would be obtainable at UN for Bernadotte Plan or any other scheme. Present armed truce and possibly renewal hostilities would continue Palestine. Such situation would be harmful both Arabs and Jews but particularly to Israel which needed UN settlement in order it might turn its attention to peaceful pursuits and development friendly relations with Arab states.