Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, The Near East and Africa, Volume V

974.531/7–1251: Telegram

The Ambassador in Israel (Davis) to the Department of State ¹

secret

Tel Aviv, July 12, 1951—5 p. m.

29. Embtel 17 July 10,² Deptel 14 July 9³ reed July 11. Chief US Div FonOff yesterday called on rep Emb and outlined Israel position on Suez Canal matter, which he said had been set forth in aide-mémoire presented to membs SC⁴ and is, therefore, not reviewed this tel. Reiterated that Israel looking to support of US in this matter, and stressed dangerous precedent of Egyptian restrictions which might come to plague us in any East–West conflict. Stated that Israel basing position largely on Riley’s reasoning and condemnation Egyptian restrictions in June 12 statement. Israel is concerned lest US not take a strong position in Suez case, in which Israel feels it is clearly in right. They believe weak res wld only strengthen Egypt in present course.

Emb understands from Brit Leg that Brit FonOff has drafted resolution which more or less parallels Israel thinking, and that Brit Emb Wash has been instructed take it up with Dept. Brit apparently favor strong res, but cognizant risks if UN [US?] not prepared back it up.

Davis

1. Repeated for information to Cairo.
2. Not printed.
3. Same as telegram 17 to New York, p. 756.
4. A copy of the Israeli aide-mémoire, dated July 10, not printed, is in IO Files: US/S/1793.