501.BB Palestine/1–2449: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Holmes) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
291. According to Burrows, British Cabinet this morning considered question Palestine (paragraph two, Embassy’s 247, January 211) and decided not to make any statement re British recognition Israel since Australia and New Zealand have urged UK to delay action until these dominions ready take same step simultaneously with UK. Australian cabinet meeting scheduled for January 27, Ceylon has asked UK not to recognize Israel at this stage; Pakistan has urged UK not to recognize at all and India has taken same line as Pakistan but less forcefully. Another factor leading to cabinet decision is that question should be discussed January 27–28 at London meeting Western Union consultative council. Re French recognition announced today, Burrows said Belgium and Netherlands are “furious with French”.
2. When I saw Bevin on other matters this morning it was evident that he is deeply preoccupied with Palestine. He referred to Moslem resentment toward the West generated by Palestine developments and expressed belief that USSR would “switch to the Arabs”. If it did so he thought this should be matter of grave concern to both US and UK. Bevin also mentioned need for Commonwealth consultation before UK can act.