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

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

Tel Aviv,March 30, 1955—7 p.m.

842. Two incidents reported Embtel 839² together with report Syrians used for first time anti-aircraft guns March 29 against Israel planes flying over demilitarized zone Israel-Syrian border (Damascus telegram 537)³ seem to indicate emergence certain new factors to be considered any appraisal unstable border situation.

1. Arab States, especially Egypt, seem to be stiffening their attitude against Israel.

2. If facts reported to Embassy by FLO correct, action with Jordan took place in relatively quiet zone, significant number of troops were apparently used by both sides, and action involved a crossing of demarcation line by Arab Legion in numbers. This would seem to signify change of policy by Legion which was known to have been under orders not to cross line into Israel.

3. Possibility that these three actions occurring at about same time may not be independent exists and may show coordination between Arab States.

4. Israelis following a policy of being aggressively alert, and fact that FLO reports this was an army patrol engagement indicates IDF has taken over responsibility for guaranteeing portion of border formerly assigned to border police.

5. Public emotions are mounting to a higher level following continued press build-up of incidents. The special cabinet session (Embtel 836⁴),Ben Gurion’s visit to Pattish (Embtel 829⁵), and the apparently genuine agitation on part of Prime Minister over developments (Embtel 828⁶), show degree to which government has been aroused. In this connection,Ben Gurion visit to Pattish may be significant because of danger inherent in his emotional reaction thereto contributing further support to activist sentiment within GOI and IDF.⁷

Lawson

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/3–3055. Secret;Niact. Received at 3:57 p.m. Repeated to Amman, Jerusalem, Cairo, Damascus, Beirut, London, and Paris. Passed to the Department of Defense.
2. Dated March 30, it reported that early that morning Egyptian troops in the Gaza Strip had opened fire on an Israeli patrol and that a platoon of Arab Legion regulars early that morning had crossed into Israel from Jordan and exchanged fire with an Israeli patrol. (Ibid.)
3. Not printed. (Ibid., 683.84A/3–3055)
4. In telegram 836, March 30, the Embassy in Tel Aviv reported that the Israeli Cabinet met in extraordinary session on March 29 to consider the Security Council proceedings and to discuss the situation along the borders. In this connection, the Embassy observed that if Egypt failed to institute measures which would control effectively the activities along the border of its own people and the refugees, Israel would respond with military action. (Ibid., 674.84A/3–3055)
5. Not printed. (Ibid., 674.84A/3–2955)
6. Not printed. (Ibid.)
7. On March 31, in telegram 569, the Department informed the Embassy in Tel Aviv that it “sees no evidence of coordinated Arab action against Israel”. (Ibid., 674.84A/3–3055)