501.BB Palestine/7–649: Telegram
The Ambassador in Israel (McDonald) to the Secretary of State
516. In hour talk yesterday and Foreign Office, Herlitz told Ford Israeli Government had sent July 1 request via PCC1 to representatives of Egypt, Lebanon and Transjordan for names Arab dependents (wives, children) now those three countries of “breadwinners” now in Israel in order immediate steps may be taken reunite these divided families in Israel. She not prepared hazard number possible repatriates under this plan but felt would be “less than 25,000 persons.”
Re Jerusalem proposal (Deptel 375, June 17) Herlitz said Dayan was told by Burdett July 2 that proposal transfer certain functions SP Commission to MAC “had been withdrawn by USG” and asked confirmation this report in view Israeli agreement support proposal. Please advise present status this development.2
Sent Department 526; repeated Jerusalem 57; Amman 17.
- The request was actually made through the Mixed Armistice Commission. The correction was requested by Tel Aviv in its despatch 178, July 8 (501.BB Palestine/7–849).↩
- The Department’s reply on July 7 stated that “USG has not withdrawn proposal re MAC. Dept has assumed Riley investigating possibility setting up new arrangement view acceptance proposal by Jordan and willingness Israel go along despite reservations. Dept desires Emb press points made Deptel 405 June 27.” (telegram 433, 501.BB Palestine/7–649)↩