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

320/9–1252: Telegram

No. 483
The Ambassador in Israel (Davis) to the Department of State¹

secret

Tel Aviv, September 12, 1952—3 p.m.

411. Deptel 214,² Cairo Embtel 561 to Dept.³ In view further change Egypt Govt’s anti-Israel statement recently attributed to Naguib by Arab news agency despatch to effect he is critical US financial aid to this country Emb proposes continue counseling play down possibility rapprochement with Egypt for time being. In view Sharett’s disposition discuss subj with me (see Embtel 371),⁴ matter will no doubt be brought up again. He will be encouraged in this interval find other means of confirming Israel’s readiness reach agreements with neighbors.

Now that Kollek in DirGen PriMin’s office and Eban is expected shortly for visit (Embtel 400),⁵ they will undoubtedly make useful contribution as both are known to favor more positive efforts to create better atmosphere for improvement Arab-Israel relations. Over period of time program could be carried out step by step depending on results achieved. There is gen agreement that one of immed advantages of such program wld be that it wld prevent or at least reduce actions and pronouncements contemplated worsen Arab attitude toward settlement.

Davis

1. Repeated to London, Paris, Ankara, Amman, Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, and Jerusalem; sent by pouch to Jidda.
2. See footnote 5, Document 475.
3. Not printed, but see footnote 1, supra.
4. Document 478.
5. In telegram 400 from Tel Aviv, Sept. 10, the Embassy stated its understanding from the Foreign Ministry that the purpose of Eban’s return to Israel the following week was for a briefing on the latest developments in the Middle East and for consultation concerning the forthcoming session of the U.N. General Assembly. (320/9–1052)