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

684A.85/5–2253: Telegram

No. 614
The Chargé in Israel (Russell) to the Department of State¹

secret
priority

Tel Aviv, May 22, 1953—6 p.m.

1782. At meeting yesterday at his request Foreign Minister Sharett informed me of attack few nights ago on car traveling Jerusalem-Tel Aviv road. Gave following details: Approximately 1:30 a.m. night of May 19–20 car traveling from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv containing no passengers caught in automatic fire between Shaar Hagai (Bab el Wad) and Shariff. Car hit about 20 times and driver wounded. No empty cartridges yet found. Foreign Minister said military censorship invoked to keep out of press item “which would have tended create atmosphere of panic”. (US protest has been lodged with MAC.)

Foreign Minister also reviewed other border incidents during month of May.

Firing at that traffic along roads, he asserted, was serious matter that meant road no longer safe at night and communications with Jerusalem endangered. He recalled that similar situation had been faced between 1936 and 1938 and more seriously between 1947 and 1948 (“that is why we fought”). If this kind of incident continues, he asserted, Israel will have to consider itself “in state of war” and will have to take appropriate action to defend itself. “May have to occupy one or two spots to control places adjoining roads so that flanks of road are under effective protection”, he explained. Added that he making these observations with full realization of seriousness of what he was saying and of incidents. Concluded that while Israel not anxious precipitate problem, continuation such incidents would make position “untenable”.

Pointing out that above situation one of the complex of many problems in the Middle East to which Secretary Dulles presently giving his attention, I expressed hope Israel would exercise restraint in order give Secretary and Department opportunity to study these problems on basis Secretary’s conversation with leaders of Israel and her neighbors. I pointed out that action of future foreshadowed in his remarks would result in greater loss of life and have more serious results than continuation to be considerd separate and apart from answer to Secretary Dulles personal message to Prime Minister Ben-Gurion (Embassy telegram 1766)² which he hoped have in few days.

British Ambassador informs me Foreign Minister gave him statement similar to above.

Comment follows.

Russell

1. Repeated to Amman, London, Paris, and Jerusalem.
2. Not printed, but see footnote 1, supra.