867N.00/12–749: Telegram
The Ambassador in Israel (McDonald) to the Secretary of State
secret
Tel Aviv, December 7, 1949—2 p. m.
869. In 80-minute talk with Shiloah at his request Dec. 6 my house, he observed as follows:
- (1)
- Jordan talks with Abdullah’s intermittent participation are continuing in “favorable atmosphere.” Central problem now is King’s insistence on Gaza outlet and control of corridor. Israel agreeable “free passage” and now searching for formula to satisfy Jordan without sacrificing Israeli sovereignty or dividing country. When Israel suggested possible Egyptian objection Jordan control Gaza, King replied: “Adjustment is possible with Cairo as family affair.” Shiloah said next meeting, probably December 8, is expected to be “crucial”, and possibly last before opening formal negotiations.
- (2)
- Egypt, Shiloah said, is “dear my heart”. He echoed Prime Minister’s eagerness for early start negotiations (Embtel 859, December 5) and said Riley was recently agent to carry letter from Sassoon to Sherine, Farouk’s brother-in-law, and in confidence also of [to?] Egyptian Army and Foreign Office. No answer yet received this Israeli bid for negotiations. Shiloah “fears no progress unless US takes initiative bringing two countries together.” In Jordan talks, Israel had “made it perfectly plain that nothing would be agreed to which might further alienate Egypt.” He explained “Though Israel more intertwined with Jordan, peace with Egypt much more important.”
- (3)
- Jerusalem was discussed briefly. In passing Shiloah made disquieting statement: “We shall, of course, expect part of old city in any final partition.” He anticipated no insurmountable obstacle to territorial adjustment in Jerusalem.
- (4)
- Anglo-Jordan treaty’s extension to cis–Jordan1 would be “matter of grave concern” and Israel would “almost certainly insist that certain clauses, e.g., right to establish bases and maintain troops, be abrogated.” He echoed Prime Minister’s insistence this would require high level discussion with British.
- (5)
- Shiloah asked if “Arab rearming and threats of second round” had caused concern at Istanbul. On my negative reply, he commented that Israel must regard seriously such rearming, especially that of Egypt with scores of tanks and some jet planes. He expressed fear that Arabs would interpret western shipment of supplies as approval of threats of second round. My assurances that US is convinced UK has no such purpose seemed not to satisfy Shiloah.
Sent Department 869; repeated London 142, Jerusalem 100, Baghdad 53, Beirut 78, Damascus 58, Jidda 33; Department pass Amman 64, Cairo 73, Karachi for McGhee.
McDonald
- Presumably, on this side of the Jordan, i.e., the West Bank.↩