Office of the Historian

357.AC/10–3053: Telegram

No. 719
The Secretary of State to the United States Mission at the United Nations1

confidential
Washington, October 30, 1953—7:31 p.m.

200. For Lodge from Secretary. Following is our thinking on resolutions on Palestine question. Suggest you consult with British and French and such other delegations (including Arabs and Israel) as you consider advisable and advise Department. Your attention is especially invited to paragraph 3 (e) which will require delicate handling as it is sensitive point.

1.
Banat Ya’qub and Qibya items should be dealt with by separate resolutions. (Should you believe procedural and tactical reasons make one resolution preferable, please advise).
2.
With regard to Banat Ya’qub resolution should:
(a)
Take note of Bennike’s letter of September 23, 1953 requesting Israelis to stop work in DZ;
(b)
Note his authority under Article 5 of Armistice Agreement and call upon the parties to observe his decisions and requests in the exercise of his authority under the Armistice Agreement;
(c)
Declare that it is essential that Israel and Syria observe faithfully their General Armistice Agreement;
(d)
Remind parties that interpretation of Agreement rests with Mixed Armistice Commission under Article 7, paragraph 8 of Agreement;
(e)
Note that instances affecting DZ have been brought before SC for second time;
(f)
Hold that existence of DZ itself constitute lasting basis for dispute between Israel and Syria and thereby is threat to stability of area and accordingly Syria and Israel under Article 8 of their agreement should make mutually satisfactory arrangements for abolition of Zone;
(g)
Direct Chief of Staff to report to SC on compliance with resolution.
3.
With regard to Qibya SC resolution should:
(a)
Declare that reprisal action at Qibya constitutes violation of SC cease-fire resolution of 15 July 1948, Jordan-Israeli General Armistice Agreement and Israel’s obligation under Article 2, paragraph 4 of Charter.
(b)
Hold that all reprisal actions are to be condemned as being inconsistent with UN Members’ obligation under Charter.
(c)
Note that there is substantial evidence of infiltration into Israel from Jordan and request Jordan to take any further steps necessary to ensure infiltration is stopped.
(d)
Reminder to parties of their obligations under the UN Charter and General Armistice Agreement not to resort to force to settle their disputes.
(e)
Express the Council’s concern at the failure of the parties to achieve progress toward a lasting settlement of the issues outstanding between them by peaceful means.
(f)
Direct Chief of Staff to report to SC within given time on compliance given to resolution.
(g)
Request Secretary General to furnish such additional personnel and assistance as Bennike may request.
4.
With regard Qibya: I would appreciate your views after consultation with British and French on whether SC might hold that Israel should pay reasonable compensation.
5.
I do not believe that Truce Supervision Organization can be strengthened by having Committee of Experts sent to area to consult with or assist Bennike. I believe it is important that we not create any new UN body now in connection with Palestine question however temporary its purpose. If it is felt that expert advice is needed you might suggest that Secretary General in conjunction with Bennike might submit a report to SC within stipulated period of time on how if possible TSO could function more effectively.
6.
Suggestions for US statement will follow.
Dulles
  1. This telegram was cleared in draft with Secretary Dulles, Under Secretary Smith, Assistant Secretary Murphy, and Legal Adviser Phleger.↩