Office of the Historian

42. Telegram From the Embassy in Israel to the Department of State1

Tel Aviv,March 4, 1955—8 p.m.

760. Two events past week are relevant to any planning looking towards Arab-Israel settlement.

Firstly, sands of time ran out on Israel moderation policy before basic concept had been developed to point where it could be discussed with Sharett along lines suggested Embdes 413, January 7,2 fourth paragraph, section A. Gaza Strip action, in our judgment, is symptomatic of shift in Israel attitudes and tactics how to deal with Arabs and, possibly, with the US. Problem creation quiet and unemotional atmosphere has shifted from one of urging improvement Israel moderation, to much more formidable one of obtaining reversal new activist trends.

Secondly, Prime Minister in address to Knesset March 2 set forth thesis that guarantee (by western powers) of Israel’s borders and of defense against aggression is not enough and that help was necessary to “increase our defensive potential”. (Paragraphs 5 and 6, [Page 89] Embtel 7533.) It has thus become matter of public record, as well as of stated policy, that GOI basic “requirements” include maintenance balance military power as between Israel and Arab states, as well as stronger guarantees.

It is our view that Israel still regards Egypt as key factor in any rapprochement with Arab states and that Gaza Strip action may have provided for the time being the emotional and political (domestic) outlet apparently needed to compensate forBat Galim failure, hanging two Israel spies, accumulation grievances along the border, and Turk-Iraqi pact especially exchange of letters. Whether this action leaves any hope early approach to Egypt and other Arab states resettlement problem in question we will leave to US mission Cairo and other missions Arab capitals. It is our judgment, however, that GOI will not be prepared to give serious consideration to specific proposals, such as resettlement of refugees, compensation for them or border adjustments, unless US is prepared simultaneously to discuss Israel security requirements as per preceding paragraph.

Lawson
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/3–455. Top Secret; Priority, Alpha; Limited Distribution. Received at 8:51 a.m., March 5. Repeated priority to London, Amman, Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Ankara, Jidda, Jerusalem, and Damascus.↩
  2. Document 4.↩
  3. See footnote 3, Document 40.↩