Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

867N.01/11–1149

The Chargé in Jordan (Fritzlan) to the Secretary of State

secret

Amman, November 11, 1949.

air priority

No. 140

Subject: King Abdullah’s Terms for Permanent Settlement With Israelis

I have the honor to report that General Riley appeared in Amman yesterday and at his request I arranged a meeting between him and King Abdullah, at which I was present.

Through the medium of Samir Pasha Rifa’i, Minister of Court, the General and the King expressed themselves as follows on various phases of the Palestine question:

1. Demarkation of Line in Jerusalem Area

General Riley stated he hoped the King would appoint a Jordan member to the Special Committee of the Mixed Armistice Commission considering this problem in order that minor rectifications in the Arab-Jewish line in the Jerusalem Area could be effected. His Majesty expressed himself in favor of such a step and said he would consult Ragheb Pasha Nashishibi, Governor-General of Palestine, concerning it.

2. Direct Negotiations With View to Permanent Settlement

General Riley told King Abdullah that there was a strong and sincere feeling among responsible Jewish leaders (such as Ben-Gurion, Sharett and Eytan) that direct negotiations should be undertaken with the King or his representatives in order to effect permanent settlement of outstanding issues between the two countries. General Riley stated that the Israeli Government was prepared to open such negotiations on twenty-four hour notice. He added that he hoped he (the General) would be instrumental in helping bring about negotiations of this character as he believed the time was ripe for talks above the level of the Mixed Armistice Commission.

The King prefaced his reply by stating that he was beginning to feel that he had no obligation to the other Arab States in his dealings with Israel. His was the only Arab State which had any extensive border with Israel and he thought he should be free to decide when and how to negotiate with the Israelis. His Majesty continued by saying that he would begin direct negotiations with the Israelis immediately if the following points were accepted as the basis of a settlement:

a. He felt it absolutely essential that Jordan have an access to the Mediterranean and he had decided that it would be most appropriate if Jordan obtained a corridor through Beersheba to Gaza. He thought, in the interests of all, Jordan should replace Egypt at Gaza and he believed he could arrange this with the Egyptians as he had persuaded them to evacuate Bethlehem and Hebron.

b. The Arab quarters at present included in the Jewish part of Jerusalem should be returned to the Arabs. It was especially inconceivable that the Hebrew University and the Hadassah Hospital should continue to function where they did. Compensation for these two places would be considered at a time when the subject of compensation of refugees generally arose for discussion.

c. In return for Israeli concessions on the above points, the King would permit the Israelis to restore and operate the potash works at the northern end of the Dead Sea. He would guarantee free passage to and from the works via Jerusalem.

In reply to the King’s statement, General Riley remarked that he thought His Majesty’s demands unrealistic and excessive in view of existing circumstances. Something in the direction of the King’s wishes might have been worked out eight months ago but at the present time the Israeli Government would never give serious consideration to such terms. The King replied that, in any case, such was his position and he could not enter into an agreement [argument?] concerning its merits. He said that if the Israelis listened to his proposals and accepted them, they would derive immeasurable benefits as he would guarantee peace for them from Gaza to Lake Tiberias.

Apropos of direct negotiations with the Israelis, the King remarked that recently the Lebanese Minister to Jordan had asked him if there was any foundation to rumors that he was negotiating directly with Israeli authorities stating that, if such were the case, Lebanon wished also to be included within the scope of the talks. General Riley laughingly observed that the Lebanese were hoping and praying that Jordan would begin such direct negotiations in order that they too could break the present deadlock. To this the King replied, “They wanted us to take the lead in war and now wish us to be the first to make peace.”

3. Entry of Christian Pilgrims into Arab Palestine from Jerusalem

General Riley raised this question in view of the expected arrival of considerable numbers of Christian pilgrims desiring to visit Jerusalem and Bethlehem during the Holy Year, saying that he had heard the Jordan Government had decided to refuse entry of such persons coming by way of Israel. (See Legation’s A–172, October 24, 1949.¹) The General added that if pilgrims were permitted to enter Arab Palestine, there would be no question of their having to return to Israel and that Jordan would probably benefit considerably from an economic standpoint.

The King readily agreed that pilgrims coming from Israel should be allowed entry into Arab Palestine, but he thought they should be carefully screened to keep out Jewish agents and communists. He promised to give appropriate instructions to the Prime Minister. Assuming the Prime Minister is amenable to this change of policy, it is likely that a modus operandi on this question can be worked out. The Legation will not fail to bring to the Department’s attention developments in this regard.

Comments: The King was genuinely pleased to see General Riley whom he greeted most affectionately. The discussions were conducted throughout in a cordial manner and there were no recriminations.

Of course, there is not the least likelihood that the Israelis will listen to the King’s terms for a permanent Palestine settlement and there can be little doubt that His Majesty is aware of this. He would like very much to liquidate the whole affair, which is proving very burdensome as regards maintenance of occupation troops in Arab Palestine, and devote his energies to consolidating his domain and restoring the economic life of the country. However, the King seems to feel that the Israelis are more anxious than he is to come to terms and, therefore, he need not be in a hurry to reveal the irreducible minimum of his demands. He certainly displays great caution, determined, doubtless, to make no terms which will not contain real advantage for his country. Failure to obtain such advantages as a result of any negotiations would, of course, at the present juncture be a grave political blunder seriously jeopardizing his position.²

A. David Fritzlan

1. Not printed.
2. Chargé Fritzlan, on November 11, summarized his discussion with the British Minister, Sir Alec Kirkbride, concerning the question of the annexation of Arab Palestine to Jordan. He then commented: “From my observations at this post, I am strongly of the opinion that there is a considerable body of enlightened and progressive Palestinians who see in annexation of Arab Palestine to Jordan the only salvation for their country. They are wining to give a large measure of cooperation to the Jordan Government and there is reason to believe that the presence of Palestinians in the Government is acting as a check on the arbitrary rule of King Abdullah. Such Palestinians undoubtedly expect eventually that a constitutional monarchy in the true sense will be established in this country and that, through force of population and relative advance in most of the arts, they will be able to exercise dominating influence in a united country.” (Despatch 141 from Amman, 867N.01/11–1149)