Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1955, Volume XIV

36. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State¹

Cairo,March 1, 1955—8 p.m.

1263. Shortly after my first formal call on Fawzi today (Embassy telegram 1262²) he requested I return to discuss incident last night at Gaza. He reported they had decided take matter immediately to Security Council. He wished me to know as a friend of their contemplated action and requested Washington be informed as we [sic] members Security Council.

Fawzi stated this first really serious attack this border since armistice agreement and was far more serious than Qibya, as this an attack by armed forces against armed forces. He stated they were in dilemma as on one hand they wished observe rules and did not believe that two wrongs can make one right. On other hand they had to take note their position before world, and particularly at present moment before other Arab States, if they suffered direct attack on their armed forces by Israel and took no action. I counselled moderation to which he agreed but added that he was personally greatly concerned there might be other events.

I left copy of message from General Burns (Jerusalem Embassy telegram 210³) which Fawzi had apparently already received and answered. He informed me he had expressed his deep regrets to Burns and promised immediate investigation.

If fuller investigation verifies facts substantially as believed here now, am at complete loss to understand timing of Israeli action. As seen from here this act may do much to reunite the Arab world minus Iraq and could even spur along to success Salah Salem’s pressuring toward the creation of a unified Arab army.

Byroade

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/3–155. Confidential; Priority. Received at 9:16 p.m. Also sent priority to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and London. Repeated to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Paris, and USUN.
2. Not printed. (Ibid., 682.87/3–155)
3. Telegram 210, March 1, transmitted a message from Burns to Fawzi assuring him that an investigation of the “deplorable” incident at Gaza was being initiated, informing him that Burns had received a report of an attack on the MAC Office by “a riotous crowd” in Gaza, and requesting adequate police protection for U.N. personnel in the future. (Ibid., 674.84A/3–155)