284. Telegram From the Embassy in Israel to the Department of State1
1098. In conversation with Embassy counselor late last night, Herzog, who had just come from Ben Gurion’s home, said that Prime Minister had calmed a bit … but was still highly incensed at the “highly arbitrary placement responsibility” on Israel for future developments. Ben Gurion however had decided to wait until SYG’s arrival there Tuesday2 before engaging in further exchanges. Herzog said Ben Gurion’s overwrought manner yesterday reflected both the pressures which Prime Minister had been under from some quarters since September to take preventive action, plus “tremendous pressures from all quarters to retaliate” for past weeks Fedayeen activities. He remarked that Friday’s3 special Cabinet meeting (to consider security matters) had been stormy one. Herzog added that Ben Gurion [Page 539] still withstanding these pressures but next few days would tell the story.
Embassy counselor commented Hammarskjold was being tough with both sides; that this was necessary if results were to be obtained; and it would be a serious mistake for Israel to undertake retaliation at time when SYG was engaged in active negotiations and before enough time had elapsed to give Nasser opportunity to demonstrate whether he was adhering to his commitments.
Comment: Embassy hopes Hammarskjold’s activities and Eban’s April 11 conversation with Secretary,4 which is interpreted here as reopening possibilities for arms procurement, may have arrested or retarded Israel reprisal or more serious military action. The situation remains potentially critical however and we believe there are several possible developments which could cause resurge of desperation here and which should receive Department’s closest attention.
- Firstly, there is question of special Fedayeen squad or squads reportedly within Israel awaiting further instructions from Nasser which apparently weighs so much on Ben Gurion’s mind that he has discussed it with me three times within past week. Similar reports have been received by USARMA. Embassy is convinced that GOI places credence in these reports. Tel Aviv for three days and nights has been ringed with thousands of police and troops closely checking all possible entries into city. In view of terrific impact of this operation on their own citizens, it is hardly likely that it constitutes demonstration merely for foreign consumption.
- Secondly, we are concerned about possibility of substitutive Fedayeen activities originating from Jordan, Lebanon and possibly Syria (Amman’s 553 and London’s 4609 to Department5). GOI has already received reports that Fedayeen are entering from Jordan and Friday night’s incident near Meron lends credence to British Foreign Office report of intercepted messages. While Nasser might have some success before world opinion in disclaiming responsibility for such activities, GOI is, as Department knows, convinced for many months Egypt has established and maintained Fedayeen training activities in both Jordan and Syria.
- Finally yesterday’s incident near Nirim in which an Israel command car was blown up by mine, with injury reported to total of seven soldiers, points to possibility resumption mining activities from Gaza. Department will recall long period mining activities and [Page 540] casualties April-May 1955 which, along with other incidents, served as prelude to small Israeli retaliation.