501.BB Palestine/7–649: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Israel 1
437. Fol for your background info in conversations with Israeli officials. With reference Israeli intention reunite divided families (ur 526 [516] July 6) USG welcomes this first tangible step toward commencement the immed repatriation long requested by USG but hopes Israeli auths will make every effort enlarge scope this process particularly view fact plan as originally presented to PCC by Israeli reps envisaged return members divided families, not merely those which have “breadwinners” in Israel. USG believes that despite current status Syrian-Israeli relations Israel shld make similar approach to Syria as evidence good intentions.
US press reported FonMin to have declared in announcement program for reunion of families that Israeli policy toward majority refugees remains unchanged. If this true you shld make clear to Israeli auths that USG considers that limited operation described urtel, which would merely implement Israeli commitment of longstanding, in no way fulfills Israel’s obligation assume its responsibility to undertake substantial repatriation.
- This telegram was repeated to Arab capitals and London and to Bern for the American Delegation at Lausanne.↩