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

786.56/11–1352: Telegram

No. 517
The Ambassador in Israel (Davis) to the Department of State¹

secret
priority

Tel Aviv, November 13, 1952—7 p.m.

786. Embtels 776² and 409.³ FonMin requested me to call this morning and among other things expressed in strong terms his govt’s increased concern over Brit offer to supply jetfighters to NE countries. He said the proposed action will worsen Israel’s position. He pointed out that giving each Arab state opportunity to acquire an amount of arms equal to that made available to Israel would create “overwhelming superiority” on the part of the Arab nations who themselves declare they are at war with Israel and who in his opinion should get no arms so long as they refuse to make regional peace. He made points that the Arab states are as yet uncommitted to support democracy; that altho purchases of jets would be ostensible for regional defense, he is convinced they would in fact be for use or pressure against Israel; that the increase in Arab strength will decrease chances for peace as he believes it will lessen Arab willingness to negotiate.

The FonMin stated further that word had been received from the Brit that 14 was no longer the limit, which will multiply the disproportion of the original proposal and will impose an even greater burden on Israel’s overstrained economy. In present circumstances IG would feel obliged at whatever sacrifice to meet combined Arab strength. Sharett concluded remarks by saying he understood tripartite powers made such offers on basis of prior consultation and agreement and inquired whether US Govt has given its agreement to the policy of supplying arms on the basis of the Brit offer. I told the FonMin that I would report the substance of his remarks and inquiry to the Dept. No mention was made of info in Depcirtel 311.⁴ Embs comments on above subject have been stated in Embtels 409 and 420.⁵

Davis

1. Repeated to London, Cairo, Baghdad, Beirut, and Damascus.
2. Document 513.
3. Not printed.
4. Circular telegram 311, Sept. 18, 7:14 p.m., sent to London, Beirut, Paris, Damascus, Tel Aviv, and Baghdad, reported that the Near East Arms Coordinating Committee considered on Sept. 16 the British proposal to offer 14 Meteor and Vampire jets to Israel, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. The United States offered no objection in the light of the Near Eastern situation and current British economic problems but asked the United Kingdom to give serious consideration to (1) making offers in terms of a “limited” number of jets instead of the specific number of 14; (2) obtaining government-to-government assurances that the jets received would be used exclusively for purposes of self defense; and (3) making deliveries gradually over a period of at least 2 years. (780.5/9–1852)
5. Not printed.