103. Telegram From the Embassy in Israel to the Department of State1
986. In conversation with Prime Minister on other matters yesterday, he told me that the Cabinet earlier in day heard his full report on Johnston water negotiations and every member was very much interested in every detail. Also at Cabinet meeting were Ambassador Eban, Teddy Kollek, Weiner and Blass (the last named making some comment constructive as well as otherwise). The matter is being held under advisement and the Prime Minister could not at this moment say when a firm final decision would be upcoming. I gathered that he felt confident of a favorable decision but he was careful to make no comment in that direction. In response to my question as to what he thought the Arabs would do he said, “I don’t know, but they should grab it quickly—especially Jordan”.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1580/5–2355. Confidential. Received at 12:16 p.m. Repeated to London, Amman, Beirut, Cairo, and Damascus.↩