674.84A/8–2052: Telegram
No. 471
The Acting Secretary
of State to the Embassy in
Egypt1
368. Press Aug 19 reports conciliatory speech Knesset by Israel PriMin Aug 18 re Israel’s desire reach understanding and coop with Egypt.2 Speech appears in line with previously expressed [Page 985] Israel view (Eban–Hart memo conv, July 31)3 that new Egypt regime might pres oppy for renewed efforts obtain peace settlement.
While we fully recognize extreme sensitivity new Egyptian regime, partic Neguib and mil grp, re Pal hostilities, we believe that you should in ur discretion remind PriMin informally of our contg hope Egypt and Israel can reach understanding. We consider such understanding in interest not only of Egypt but NE as whole. Peg on which you might hang such informal statement to PriMin might be request for his reaction Ben Gurion’s speech.
- Repeated to London and Tel Aviv.↩
-
Tel Aviv reported on Ben-Gurion’s speech of Aug. 18 in part as follows:
“PriMin Ben-Gurion stated in Knesset yesterday there are no grounds for quarrels between Egypt and Israel and no basis for territorial, polit or econ disputes between two countries. ‘We have no enmity against Egypt for what was done to our ancestors in the time of Pharoah and not even for what was done four years ago’, he said. ‘We have shown our goodwill to Egypt—because it never occurred to us to exploit her quarrel with a great power by attacking her and seeking revenge.’ While cautioning no reason believe peace with Egypt was any nearer now than before Naguib’s coup, he welcomed Naguib’s reported statement that he and friends in army had opposed Egyptian invasion Israel which PriMin described as ‘undoubtedly one of the most reckless and irresponsible blunders perpetrated by the Egypt rulers’. Added that ‘this transition period in Egypt is full of possibilities, both favorable and unfavorable, and we must watch the situation vigilantly’.” (Telegram 286 from Tel Aviv, Aug. 19, 4 p.m.; 641.84A/8–1952)
↩ - Document 464.↩