501.BB Palestine/9–2249
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and African Affairs (McGhee) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State (Rusk)
Subject: Israeli reaction to PCC Jerusalem proposals
Since the proposals of the PCC were released to the press last week, an intensive and violent press and publicity campaign has been started in Israel condemning the proposals (Tab A).1 Moreover, the Foreign Minister and other government officials have made public statements against the proposals2 (Tab B). One particularly disquieting feature has been the threats of the Heruth (Freedom Party) to resume their terrorist activities if Jerusalem is internationalized. According to a recent press report, a former leader of the Irgun said in Tel Aviv on September 20 that “if the UN introduces conditions of foreign rule in the Israeli capital, then establishment of the underground would be inevitable” (Tab C).
There is also evidence that the Israelis are carrying on their campaign in this country.
According to a recent telegram from the Consulate General in Jerusalem, a New York Herald correspondent and a London Times correspondent stated that the Israeli Government is conducting the most intensive press and publicity campaign these correspondents have yet witnessed in their experience in Israel, in an effort to defeat the proposals (Tab D).
Although we have sent telegraphic instructions to the Embassy in Tel Aviv3 to discuss the matter with the Foreign Office and express the hope that the Israeli Government would give the proposals the most serious consideration, presenting their objections to the GA in a conciliatory spirit (Tab E), I feel that it would be desirable if you would call in Ambassador Elath and inform him of the Department’s views on the PCC proposals and of its deep concern regarding the [Page 1397] attitude and line of action which the Israeli Government has apparently adopted. It may well be that if the Israeli Government persists in this attitude, the resultant situation will have a most unfortunate effect in connection with efforts to arrive at some peaceful solution of the Palestine problem.
Recommendations:
- 1.
- It is recommended that you call in Ambassador Elath and
make the following points:
- (a)
- The Department is deeply concerned regarding the reaction of the Israeli Government to the PCC proposals and notes that Israel has apparently rejected the plan without giving it the thorough consideration which we believe it deserves.
- (b)
- The PCC has made diligent efforts to reconcile the position of both parties and its conclusions have not been reached as the result of any arbitrary determination. On the contrary, they have been prepared only after careful thought and study of the situation and represent the PCC’s considered views.
- (c)
- We believe that these proposals represent a fair and practical approach to the establishment of a permanent international regime in the Jerusalem area, and hope that whatever amendments Israel may have to the plan will be presented to the GA in a conciliatory spirit. We believe that Israel should approach this question on the basis of a desire to assist the GA in putting into effect the desires of the world community regarding Jerusalem—not on the basis of a desire to frustrate the plan.
- (d)
- We believe that the continuation of what appears to be a press campaign in Palestine to defeat the proposals may have the most unfortunate effects in connection with efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Palestine problem. The threats regarding the resumption of terrorist activities are also most disquieting.
- (e)
- It is possible that if present developments regarding the proposals continue, hostilities in the Jerusalem area might break out and might even spread to the rest of Palestine.
- (f)
- It is recalled that Count Bernadotte’s assassination last September followed closely on a press campaign against his activities. At the present time there are numerous American, French, Belgian, and Turkish officials connected with the UN in Jewish Jerusalem whose lives may well be placed in jeopardy. The Ambassador is no doubt aware of the reaction which would be caused throughout the world if any of these people should become victims of the passions which are presently being aroused.
- 2.
- It is recommended that you approve the attached telegram5 to Tel Aviv informing our Embassy that we are calling in the Israeli Ambassador on this matter (Tab F).
[Here follow concurrences and a list of attachments.]
4 Ambassador Elath was called in on September 28; for the memorandum covering his discussion with Department officers on that date, see p. 1409.