Office of the Historian

501.BB Palestine/1–1149: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Special Representative of the United States in Israel (McDonald), at Tel Aviv

top secret
Washington, January 11, 1949—6 p. m.

us urgent

niact

20. We are disturbed at press reports that Israel is allegedly pre paring official protest before SC against UK over recent developments resulting from RAF episode.

For your info following is first para niact tel sent Cairo yesterday, rptd London and all Arab capitals. This sets forth this Govt’s earnest hope that RAF-Israeli clash will be confined to framework of an incident and not allowed further to embitter passions in Near East.

You are authorized impart this info to FonMin and instructed to add friendly advice that this Govt would deplore any action by either UK or Israel tending to exacerbate situation because of RAF incident.

Herewith first para Deptel 33 to Cairo.1

Rptd London as 131, USUN as 18.

Lovett
  1. Dated January 10, not printed. The bulk of the first paragraph is quoted in footnote 5, p. 633.

    Mr. Eban sent a letter dated January 11 to the President of the Security Council in which he set forth his instructions “to convey to the SC the grave concern of the Government of Israel at the menacing attitude adopted by the UK towards the State of Israel. The military, naval, aerial and political measures which the UK has taken in recent days appear likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security and to widen the limits of a local conflict which might otherwise respond to the processes of unprejudiced negotiations.” (Telegram 23 from New York) The Security Council released the text of Mr. Eban’s letter the same day as S/1201.

    Mr. Ross discussed the letter with Mr. Eban on January 11, pointing out, that “No action should be taken by anyone which would impair chances of successful outcome of forthcoming negotiations at Rhodes.” As a result of the discussion, Mr. Eban indicated “that for the time being he would not press for an early meeting” of the Security Council. (Telegram 22 from New York) Telegrams 22 and 23 are both dated January 11 and are filed under 501.BB Palestine/1–1149.

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