Office of the Historian

501.BB Palestine/10–549: Telegram

The Chargé in Israel (Ford) to the Secretary of State

confidential
Tel Aviv, October 5, 1949—1 p. m.

726. During hour’s general discussion October 4 of various pending matters with Comay Israel Foreign Office, I took occasion mention pertinent substance Deptel 637, September 30,1 stressing my government’s belief that present PCC proposals re Jerusalem represent practical realistic approach permanent international regime that area, pointing out our desire avoid injection arguments based on sentiment and emotion inherent in feelings of our vast Christian communities re Jerusalem issue, and expressing earnest hope my government that Israel will cooperate calmly and constructively in early solution Jerusalem problem.

Comay (who had report before him of Rusk–Elath talk2) underlining that he was speaking personally and not behalf his government said feeling general in Israel Foreign Office circles that PCC proposal “does not represent common ground” on which any discussion Jerusalem issue can be undertaken. He repeated Shiloah’s earlier assertion that Israel working on counterproposal of its own (Embtel 710 September 243) and said that until such plan finalized and ready for [Page 1420] presentation GA he doubted that “any Israel official” would be prepared to discuss any phase of PCC proposal as drawn up and presented. He added in effect “at present our governments seem to be poles apart since while US obviously ready accept PCC proposal as starting point for discussions, Israel unable accept plan even in principle.” Comay also said “we hope USG fully appreciates deep-seated nature Israel public resentment against any effort deprive Israel of Jerusalem”.

Comment: Despite Comay’s assertion he not conveying his government’s thinking, I have generally found him fairly faithful echo his superiors. End Comment.

Sharett presently on vacation but expected back Tel Aviv October 6 at which time shall discuss with him substance Deptels 6364 and 637.

Sent Department 726; repeated Jerusalem 87; Department pass Amman 52, New York unnumbered for USUN.

Ford
  1. Not printed, but see footnote 2, p. 1412.↩
  2. See Mr. Rusk’s memorandum of conversation, September 28, p. 1409.↩
  3. Not printed, but see footnote 1 to telegram 605, September 19, p. 1393.↩
  4. Dated September 30, not printed, but see footnote 2 to memorandum by Wilkins, September 26, p. 1407.↩