Office of the Historian

867N.01/9–849

Memorandum by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and African Affairs (Hare) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State (Rusk)

secret
[Washington,] September 8, 1949.

Discussion

There is attached a telegram from the U.S. delegation in Lausanne,1 reporting on the authority of the PCC representative in Jerusalem, that the Israeli Government proposes to move its capital to Jerusalem prior to the opening of the General Assembly. Reference to the possibility of such action was also made recently by Sasson, member of the Israeli delegation to Lausanne, in conversation with the French delegate to the Conciliation Commission.

In the event that the Israelis should take such action, it would prejudice effective action by the General Assembly on the statute for Jerusalem, and thereby impede progress towards a final settlement for Palestine. Moreover, such an Israeli move would probably create a strong Arab reaction, which could, result in seriously impeding the work of the Economic Survey Mission.

It is felt that this Government should make every effort to discourage such action by Israel, if it is in fact contemplated, in the interests of promoting a final Settlement and of supporting UN policy towards Jerusalem.

[Page 1367]

Recommendations

1.
It is recommended that you sign the attached telegram.2
2.
It is further recommended that you authorize me to call in Israeli Ambassador Elath and bring to his attention the report and this Government’s position on the question.3

  1. Palun 301, September 5, not printed.↩
  2. Marginal notation by Mr. Rusk: “Done.” Telegram 585 was sent to Tel Aviv on September 8 and stated in part: “If report appears have substance, you shld express to appropriate FonOff officials strong view of USG that such action wld be contrary to spirit and intent of GA res of Nov 29, 1947, and res of Dec 11, 1948, and consequently to desires of international community. By obstructing PCC and GA efforts obtain practical solution for internationalization Jerusalem, such action wld constitute serious setback to UN progress towards peace in Pal.” (501.BB Palestine/9–549)

    In reply, on September 11, Tel Aviv conveyed the assurances of Messrs. Eytan and Comay that the “rumored removal all government ministries to Jerusalem ‘either prior to or following’ fall session GA was ‘utterly without foundation’” (telegram 682, 501.BB Palestine/9–1149).

    ↩
  3. Marginal notation by Mr. Rusk: “OK.”↩