501.BB Palestine/9–149: Telegram
Mr. Stuart W. Rockwell to the Secretary of State
Palun 294. Israeli delegation September 1 delivered to PCC written reply1 to questions put by PCC to all delegations August 15 (Palun 275).2 Substance reply as follows:
1. Israeli delegation prepared sign declaration along lines chapter 1 of PCC memo (re refugees) subject to precision on following points:
- a.
- Israel considers solution of refugee problem to be sought primarily in resettlement in area territories but is prepared contribute by agreeing to measure of resettlement in Israel.
- b.
- Israeli Government cannot bind itself in advance to implement such solutions as survey group may propose but will undertake to facilitate task of group and give full consideration to any proposals group may put forward.
Israeli delegation desires stress its understanding that any repatriation in Israel would take place subject to financial assistance furnished by international community and that such assistance would be extended to resettlement of Jewish refugees from Arab controlled areas Palestine.
Israel’s willingness facilitate task of survey group rests within framework of numerical contribution which it has declared itself ready to make to solution of refugee problem.
Israeli delegation reiterates that Israel can agree to repatriation of refugees to Israel only as part of overall settlement of refugee problem and of Palestine conflict.
2. Re territory, Israeli delegation considers that in addition to territory indicated on map attached to protocol of May 12 all other [Page 1350] areas falling within control and jurisdiction of Israel under terms of the four armistice agreements should be formally recognized as Israel territory. Adjustment of frontiers so created will be subject to negotiation and agreement between Israel and Arab Government in each case concerned.
By this adjustment no territory is added to Israel which forms part of the four Arab states or was ever awarded to them by any international instrument or held by them under any agreement. No territory in which the four states exercise authority or jurisdiction under the armistice agreements is added to Israel.
If this adjustment not made, territory awarded to Israel under international instrument or held by it under an agreement (armistices) would be awarded to one or more Arab states.
Israeli delegation holds that only this adjustment falls equally in its effects on rights and positions of each party, makes no encroachment on existing sovereignties, and preserves juridicial status and stability achieved by the existing agreements.