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

683.84A322/10–353: Telegram

No. 681
The Chargé in Israel (Russell) to the Department of State¹

confidential

Tel Aviv, October 3, 1953—4 p.m.

398. I called on Foreign Minister his residence Tel Aviv this morning (Deptel 256).² Informed him that in view of USG the Israel Government should have complied with Bennike’s request to stop work on canal project regardless of intention to appeal to Security Council. I stated stoppage of work only after completion of portion lying in demilitarized zone could not be considered by USG as compliance.

Sharett summarized IG position by saying there are two questions: (1) with respect to land, it is a question of fact as to whether Arab lands in Israel are affected (Embtel 356);³ (2) with respect to water, there has not as yet been any diversion and will be none until completion of canal, so no complaint can be made on that score at this time. Sharett said portion of project lying within demilitarized zone is major piece of construction and will take many months.

Sharett stated that IG has not stopped work on canal; that complication arose after work had been underway and Bennike did not specify date by which work should be stopped; that IG had offered to satisfy his doubts on factual side; and this discussion still continuing. Sharett said at luncheon with Bennike on Tuesday latter claimed IG had worked on Arab land though admitted it was not now doing so. Sharett suggested they go over pertinent documents together. Bennike replied his men looking into them.

Sharett says if at end of this discussion there is no agreement IG may appeal to Security Council and, if it does, it will then have to decide whether to stop work pending Council consideration.

Russell

1. Repeated to Damascus and Jerusalem.
2. In telegram 256 to Tel Aviv, Oct. 1, the Department stated that the present status of Israel’s compliance with Bennike’s decision to stop work on the canal project was unclear. The U.S. Government believed the Israeli Government should have stopped work upon receipt of Bennike’s decision whether or not an appeal to the Security Council was contemplated. In order to clarify the matter and give maximum support to the U.N. Truce Supervision Organization, the Embassy was instructed to inform the Israeli Government, and the Department would inform Eban, that completion of the Demilitarized Zone portion of the work before stopping would not be considered by the U.S. Government as complying with Bennike’s decision. (683.84A322/10–153)
3. Not printed, but see footnote 3, Document 674.