501.MA Palestine/4–549: Telegram
The Minister in Lebanon (Pinkerton) to the Secretary of State
175. Palun 109. [From Ethridge.] On April 4 Eytan, Director General Israeli Foreign Office replied to PCC letter referred to in Legtel 160 March 311 and stated:
Ben Gurion directs me to confirm it is intention of Government of Israel to accommodate certain of its departments in Jerusalem and government after careful study of question finds itself unable accept view this step is incompatible with Article 8 of GA resolution December 11. There is in considered opinion of government’s advisers nothing in this article nor in any other article of GA resolution December 11 that could be interpreted as forbidding Government of Israel to establish any of its departments in Jerusalem.
Pending final determination of future of Jerusalem Government of Israel deems itself entitled to use accommodation available there as matter of administrative convenience.
Eytan then expressed Government of Israel’s regret PCC in April 1 press release in Beirut “should have publicly criticized” government’s conduct before reply could be made to PCC letter.
[Page 897]Eytan concluded by confirming PCC appointment April 7 with Ben Gurion who was looking forward to exchange of views with PCC on present situation and on plans for future.
PCC decided April 5 to take two steps: (1) To write Eytan that PCC press release had not criticized government but had stated content PCC letter which expressed PCC opinion that if it were true Israel planned transfer Ministries to Jerusalem PCC considered it incompatible with GA resolution December 11; and (2) to discuss matter with Ben Gurion April 7.
PCC remains of opinion transfer of Ministries to Jerusalem is incompatible with GA resolution December 11. It is matter of Israel intent. Theory expressed in Eytan’s letter that resolution is silent would presumably make it possible for Israel to announce Jerusalem as capital of Israel with impunity.
Boisanger believes US and France should discuss with Sharett in Washington. We agreed report matter to Department and suggested French representative Washington consult Department regarding desirable action.
Repeated Jerusalem 89, Tel Aviv 8, Amman unnumbered. [Ethridge.]
- Identified also as Palun 102, not printed; it advised of a letter from the Palestine Conciliation Commission to Prime Minister Ben-Gurion, which, in citing press reports on the transfer of Israeli ministries to Jerusalem, stated that if the reports were confirmed the “PCC would be obliged to call attention of Israeli Government to incompatibility of such measure with paragraph 8 of GA resolution December 11.” The letter requested the assurance of the Prime Minister that it was not the intention of the Israeli Government to transfer the ministries to Jerusalem. (501.BB Palestine/3–3149)↩