Office of the Historian

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

Tel Aviv, April 8, 1956—4 p.m.

1051. Re Embtel 1050.2 Spontaneous Fedayeen attacks by Egyptians exceed in recklessness incidence and results the August 1955 series, which as opposed last night previous assaults were 1-3 per night and limited obscure and “safe” target areas such as isolated orange groves. Present raids achieved “deep penetration” first night at Achuzam and Nitsanim. GOI accurately forecast timing of tactic (Embtel 10493), but so far contrary to prediction most raiders seem to have come from Strip instead of Jordan (although Achuzam is closer to Jordan).

Possibility Israel reaction as well as timing and magnitude probably depends on whether raids continue tonight and subsequently. If tempo and casualty rate of attacks remain constant, let alone increase, situation may well deteriorate very rapidly to same stage extreme crisis as before Khan Yunis4 and additional other complicating factor is continuation Egyptian firing across border which Israelis combine with Fedayeen outbreak as clear evidence Egyptian intention non-observance of cease-fire. In view Sharett’s emphasis obtaining cease-fire as first task for Hammarskjold (Embtel 10485), and his frequent references serious attitude toward Fedayeen [Page 493] terrorist activities, Israelis certain actively to push their interpretation of Fedayeen raids constituting violation both GAA and cease-fire.

Meanwhile, sharp and critical build-up of public apprehension and intensive consideration by GOI and IDF re effective positive means of meeting Israel’s almost defenseless position against Fedayeen action will continue. However, no apparent change in mobilization situation as yet.

Lawson
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/4–856. Secret; Priority. Received at 12:35 p.m. Repeated priority to Cairo, Amman, Damascus, Beirut, London, and Paris. Passed to the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.↩
  2. Lawson informed the Department that “April 7 at 2330 hours Tekoah of FonMin advised Emb officer of resumption heavy Fedayeen attacks generally emanating from Gaza Strip …. Known attacks numbered 13 and were directed at individual houses, kibbutz installations, army vehicles, civilian cars and pedestrians.” (Telegram 1050 from Tel Aviv, April 8; ibid.)↩
  3. Lawson reported in telegram 1049, April 7, that according to the IDF Foreign Liaison Officer, the Israeli Government had “most definite information that Nasser had ordered Fedayeen activity to begin immediately.” (Ibid., 674.84A/4–756)↩
  4. See vol. XIV, footnote 3, p 438.↩
  5. Document 253.↩