Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V

786.00/3–2250

The “Palestine Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs” to the Foreign Ministries of the Arab States¹

restricted
No. H.A.F. 3/50

March 1, 1950.

Note

This Government has learned, with regret, that while invitations to the 12th Session of the Arab League Council were sent by the Secretariat General—by telegram—to the Foreign Affairs Ministries of the Arab States and confirmations forwarding the agenda were also sent through their respective missions, no such communications were addressed in this concern to Palestine Government.

This Government, with the exception of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is recognised by all member states of the League. It is the only body having the legal right to represent the Arabs of Palestine who still believe that the Arab States will fulfill their promise to liberate Palestine and allow them to return to and settle in their home.

The recognition of these six states is still standing and it is not honorable for these states that a Government they have recognised is not invited to a session at which its case is to be examined and discussed. This Government considers her exclusion from attending and taking part in the League Council is a serious offense against the noble purposes on which was based the creation of the Arab League. It will assist those who have interest in erasing the name of Palestine from the map of the world.

This Government appeals to the conscience of the Arab League and adjures the Arab nations to cease this unfair effort to keep her away from taking part in the 12th League Session. The exclusion of the Palestine Government means but the deviation from the high and noble aims of the League, and is inconsistent with the pacts concluded between the Arab League nations when their armies marched to liberate Palestine.

Palestine Government has no alternative but to record here, with deep regret, that it deplores the unfair efforts to keep away the representative of Palestine Arabs—who have faithfully defended their country and made the noblest sacrifice—and to prevent them saying their word, expressing their opinon and taking an effective part in the examination of their proper case.

While recording its regrets in the name of the faithful Arabs of Palestine, the Government trusts that the Arab States who recognised it and who have and are still taking a noble part in the strife for the success of Palestine case, will realize the serious consequences which may result from omitting its invitation to attend the Arab League Council sessions and from giving a favorable opportunity to those elements whose endeavor is to falsely and unlawfully represent the Arabs of Palestine and impose their policy giving no weight to the legitimate rights of this scattered and distressed nation which is now enduring such hardship, hunger and privation as no other nation has ever endured in history.

This Government which had been recognised by six member states of the League and which, however, has not been given the chance to assume its functions owing to the failure of the responsible authorities to provide it with the necessary help and money, has not failed to do its utmost for the case of its country and is resolved to fight and strive for its country to the last breath.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Palestine Government takes this opportunity to express its deep respect to the Arab League.²

1. This unofficial translation was forwarded to the Department of State by Embassy Cairo in despatch 515, March 22, not printed. For documentation on the establishment of the “Arab Government of Palestine” at Gaza, known also as the “Palestine Arab Government” and the “All Palestine Government”, see Foreign Relations, 1949, vol. vi, pp. 594 ff.

2. Embassy Cairo, on May 2, transmitted an unofficial translation of a note sent on April 8 by the “All Palestine Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs” to the Secretariat General of the Arab League. The note stated in part: “The condition of Palestinian refugees in Arab countries necessitates quick action to avoid all possible dangers. These refugees believe that all the help they may now expect is confined to the financial contributions which they receive from certain governments and organizations and which, though helpful, are not practical. It is therefore necessary to lay down a general plan by which the Arab States can help them. The All Palestine Government therefore submits to the Council the following two proposals:

   • “1. To grant Palestinian refugees in Arab countries an unrestricted permanent residence to enable them to work and support themselves by legitimate means until their political status is finally settled.
   • “2. To allow those of them who have crafts or professions to practice work in the Arab countries in which they reside.” (Despatch 970, 786.00/5–250)

   The “Palestine Arab Government” also submitted a memorandum on the annexation of Palestine, presumably by Jordan. The editors have not found a copy of this document in the files of the Department of State; but telegram 361, April 11, from Cairo, states that the League’s Political Committee took no action on the memorandum (786.00/4–1150).