Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

683.84A/5–1452: Telegram

No. 433
The Ambassador in Israel (Davis) to the Department of State¹

secret

Tel Aviv, May 14, 1952—11 a.m.

1192. Re Embtel 1164, May 7 and previous concerning Huleh controversy. Chief of Staff UNTSO advises fol report was sent to UN on result informal mtg ISMAC Monday May 12 at which reps of Palestine Land Development Corp and Buteiha Farm were present. Text of msg fols:

“Summary of informal mtg ISMAC 12 May 1952.

a. Palestine Land Development Corp and Buteiha Farm were represented at mtg. Senior Israel delegate insisted upon discussion of use of checking gates without limiting such use to repair of bridge. Senior Syrian delegate stated Syria was prepared to discuss use of gates only with ref to repair of bridge. Chairman pointed out to both parties that their viewpoints had been made clear but that the fundamental problem was whether or not the gates wld be operated without damage to lands to the south. Chairman’s questioning of Mr. Nachmani (Pal Land Development Corp) brought forth Pal Land Development Corp statement that in order to facilitate Pal Land Development Corp work it wld be necessary to close all gates, and that the partial closing of the gates wld be of little or no use. Buteiha Farm owners stated that at this time any closure of the gates wld have a serious effect upon the farm. Pal Land Development Corp asked that a survey on the ground of the actual needs of the farm be made. Senior Syrian delegate wld not accept a mixed Israeli-Syrian survey of this nature but stated that a neutral agriculturist wld be acceptable for such survey. Senior Syrian delegate stated that mtg was not the intention of Syria to unnecessarily hinder the operation of the checking gates, and that before there cld be a special answer to the problem the senior Syrian delegate wld need additional time to discuss the matter with the farmowners and that in view of the risk to them, which wld occur with any closing of the gates, some plan of compensation wld have to be worked out. Senior Israel delegate stated that Israel was not prepared to discuss compensation at this time but might be willing to discuss the submission of some future claim for any damage which might occur. Discussion on this subject was closed for this date with both parties agreeing to the Chairman’s suggestion that the senior Israel delegate take up the matter of compensation with his govt, that the senior Syrian delegate discuss the problem further with the farmowners, and that further discussion on the subject be opened in the immed future.

b. The problem of a complete exchange of all livestock and other materials (including Eingev boat) was discussed. Senior Syrian delegate stated that his govt had informed him that the boat was not and had never been in Syria but that he wld make attempt to locate the boat. Senior Israel delegate stated that unless the boat cld be returned no broad exchange wld be effected.

c. Chairman requested that senior Israel delegate arrange immed release of Arab arrested by Israeli police on Khoury Farm on 10 May. Chairman informed senior Israel delegate that if Arab had entered from Syria without authority (this contingent upon investigation by Chairman) Chairman wld return Arab to Syria, but that under no circumstances wld Chairman agree to trial of subject Arab in Israeli courts. Chairman informed senior Israel delegate that action of Israeli police in Khoury Farms indicated a failure on the part of Israeli at operating level to implement Israeli agreements made at higher level. Senior Israel delegate informed Chairman that he had not known that arrest was made in Khoury Farm, and that he completely agreed that high level assurances shld be carried out at operating level. Senior Israel delegate stated that he wld immed investigate this matter and report to Chairman.

d. Adjustment of demarcation line was discussed. Pls see secret mail brief chairman ISMAC to Chief of Staff dated 12 May 1952 concerning this subject.

e. Next informal mtg ISMAC scheduled for 20 May”.

Davis

1. Repeated to London, Paris, Ankara, Beirut, Damascus, and Jerusalem (for Riley).