189. Telegram From the Embassy in Israel to the Department of State1
931. Henry Morgenthau Jr.2 informed me in strictest confidence that Ben Gurion received unnamed US representative “with access to White House” within past few days to whom Ben Gurion had communicated his position with regard to Israel’s need for 50 jets. Morgenthau thought Ben Gurion expecting definite reply within about ten days, saying, “within ten days Ben Gurion will know whether this man has produced the goods.” He also fixed April 1 as approximate date on which Ben Gurion would arrive at conclusion whether US arms forthcoming or not although he did not predict any particular GOI action on that date. This appears to be further confirmation Ben Gurion’s belief President understands and sympathizes with Israel’s present security position. (Embtel 9153) I gave no indication, of course, of knowledge any such activities.
I assume it possible that Ben Gurion may have predicated Israel participation in “settlement talks” on Israel’s receipt of jets and other [Page 346] US arms or at least assurance some US arms. I also assume “US representative” is one referred to in Deptels 4664 and 5685 and concerns matter, development of which I would be kept advised.
Are there conversations also being conducted with Sharett who took somewhat mysterious vacation in Tel Aviv last week?
I would appreciate, for strictly personal secret information, comments on above at earliest convenience.6
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 784A.56/3–1256. Top Secret; Limit Distribution. Received at 5:09 p.m.↩
- Secretary of the Treasury from January 1934–July 1945; Chairman of the International Committee of State of Israel Bonds from 1954.↩
- In this telegram, March 9, Lawson reported on the impact of the President’s statement of March 7; see footnote 3, Document 181. (Department of State, Central Files, 784A.56/3–956)↩
- Document 10.↩
- Document 93.↩
- See Document 214.↩