867N.01/1–749: Telegram
The Special Representative of the United States in Israel (McDonald) to the Secretary of State
top secret urgent
niact
niact
Tel Aviv, January 7, 1949—8 p. m.
20. In absence Shertok and Ben Gurion but with Ben Gurion’s authority, Shiloah informs (6 p. m.) me of grave events today as follows:
- 1.
- At 5 local time, fighting had not ceased in south. Israeli forces were ordered to cease but, according Shiloah, something seems to have slipped on Egyptian side.
- 2.
- At 10:30 a. m. today, according incomplete data received by PGI, four British Spitfires “carrying bombs” strafed Israeli troops in Rafah 078079 area. Israel planes engaged combat and downed two, one at Imara 104081. One British pilot badly wounded and probably now dead. Other British is being brought as prisoner to Tel Aviv.
- 3.
- At 4 p. m. twelve Spitfires returned area presumably searching for previous flight. Israeli planes rose and shot down one and Spit fires apparently retired.
- 4.
- PGI considers attack by British planes as “unprovoked aggression” and declares situation extremely grave.
- 5.
- Israel Air Force has received instructions to avoid engagements with British.
[Here follows section numbered 6 dealing with the Israeli-Iraqi front.]
McDonald