501.BB Palestine/5–2849: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Vincent) to the Secretary of State
818. Palun 168. From Ethridge. Eytan on May 25 wrote PCC members individually along following line:
- (1).
- Israelis Delegate has informed PCC that two memorandums (summary of information contained in Palun 1451 and that contained [Page 1066] in Palun 1662) were being studied Tel Aviv. Meanwhile Israelis have duty to draw PCC attention to basic misconceptions. Pity and mistake to derive conclusions from false premises and to attempt to find refugee solution on unrealistic assumptions.
- (2)
- Important Arab Delegates understand war which their governments brought to Palestine had much of evil aftermath they must have been able to foresee. Fleeing Arabs abandoned property and homes precipitately. Whole villages fled including orange grove workers. Bank accounts were left intact. Clergy departed.
- (3)
- Vacuum resulted. Urban and rural property destroyed. Armies moved in. War was bitter and destructive. It would be doing refugees disservice if refugees persist in belief that return would find homes, shops or fields intact. Difficult in certain cases to identify village sites.
- (4)
- During war large numbers Jewish immigrants entered and now continues totalling over 250,000 in 1948. Intention of Israel to continue admittance as many as wish to enter.
- (5)
- Shelter was difficult. Impossible if Arab houses were not empty. Israel took advantage of vacant houses. Jaffa, Lydda, Ramle, Beersheba, Safad, et cetera, are today almost wholly occupied by Jewish residents. War and refugee flight have changed face of country. Arab reference to suspension of requisition measures and occupation of Arab property is unrealistic. If sincere Arabs lack information re conditions in Israel. Foregoing is general but will be [made?] specific on request.
- (6)
- Israel considers itself in no way responsible for fact refugees are refugees. Cause was war launched to kill Jewish state. Arab States are now attempting wash hands of evil created by them and to foist responsibility on intended victim. Tone of Arab memorandum referring to principles of humanity and justice ill befits representatives of only states that have ever taken up arms in attempt undo UNGA will. Tone suggests Arab Delegates perhaps unconsciously are deceiving themselves in approach Palestine problem.
- (7)
- Important appreciate responsibility for constructive solution of refugee problem rests upon those responsible. In so far as Israel is prepared contribute within framework general peace settlement contribution can only be on lines applicable to solution elsewhere. Any Arab state offering resettlement will claim right to decide where and how, will not recognize right of individual refugee to particularize and will offer resettlement where and how consonant with domestic condition. If in eventuality envisaged Israel finds it possible to contribute toward refugee resettlement its terms will be same.
- (8)
- No return to status quo ante since war and subsequent immigration have decisively and unalterably transformed aspect of country. Clock cannot be turned back. If resettlement in Israel at all, it will be on basis of existing economic and security situation. If Arab expects to return to house, trade or field, illusion should be dispelled. They no longer exist. If they exist they are probably occupied. Even if not occupied, Israel could not for security and many other reasons bind itself to restore. Resettlement in Israel would have to be on basis planned scheme devised for refugees as group and unrelated except for compensation to any proprietary rights claimed by individuals.
- (9)
- Problem facing Arab Delegates and PCC is refugee question on basis existing situation in Israel and Arab States. Certain situation exists and only in context is any hope of workable solution. Attempt to recreate previous conditions of 1947 or 1948 is profitless and doomed failure.
- (10)
- Frankness based on conviction success at Lausanne depends on full understanding of facts. Wishful thinking by Arab Delegates and failure realize actual situation will delay progress and ultimately lead collapse negotiations. Israeli Delegate does not suggest Arabs Delegates are deliberately blinding themselves. More likely lack of information causes misapprehension. Israeli Delegate does not suggest transmittal this letter to Arab Delegates but feels, however, it would be helpful if PCC negotiators with Arabs bear in mind possibility Arabs unaware revolutionary changes in abandoned refugee property. Israeli Delegate also feels it may be useful to explain present situation and consequences thereof.
Comment: USDel has summarized information contained this telegram to give Department indication present thinking Israeli Delegate re refugees. Eytan lectured PCC privately May 26 in same vein. With PCC agreement I told and wrote Eytan some of his assumptions and conclusions outlined this telegram at variance my views and no useful purpose in discussion. I regretted he considered it inadvisable transmit his views to Arab Delegates. Heretofore PCC endeavored assist parties to final settlement by transmittal views of each. Mutual understanding would facilitate settlement. PCC could not be expected embrace views of either for purpose of persuading other. I conceived GA resolution to assist Israel is to negotiate with Arabs rather than UN.
As result Eytan plans redraft letter for transmission to Arab Delegates. I consider important development for psychological reasons. It is hoped Israeli views drafted with Arabs rather than UN in mind will be more temperate and persuasive. [Ethridge.]