Office of the Historian

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

Tel Aviv, April 15, 1956—6 p.m.

1099. For the Secretary. … I gave Ben Gurion a short oral summary Deptel 765.2

Ben Gurion thanked me for the information; said your April 11 talk with Eban represented “some advance”; but you “must realize the position of those countries”.

In elaboration, and based on conversations in which GOI representatives had already engaged with western countries, Prime Minister cited following:

1.
Canada in best position because no colonies or other special Middle East interests. Nevertheless, Canadians sensitive to sovereignty and independence from US and it would be extremely difficult for Cabinet to go to Parliament and explain arms sales on grounds that GOE [GOI] preferred that Canada rather than US act as supplier.
2.
Position France and England even more difficult because of their critical position in Arab world—France in Algeria and Britain in Aden, Jordan and Buraimi. Difficulties for them this matter increased by fact that Arabs know USG supply arms to Israel.
3.
Therefore, they (western countries) say with some reason that if United States would be willing to release a portion of arms needed, they would supply rest. Although they are being told by United States to go ahead, they do not dare.
4.
“France and Canada have goodwill toward Israel, perhaps does Italy. Britain may be changing its attitude. They are giving a few night fighters.” USG with no colonies, already supplying arms to Baghdad Pact members, and as friends of both sides, is in better position than France or Britain to help Israel. I interposed that France had been able to provide Mysteres to Israel without the violent reaction from Arabs which might have occurred from a similar US transaction. Ben Gurion replied Nasser had protested to Pineau but [Page 541] that latter was an honorable man and had stood by promises he had made to Israel.
5.
Ben Gurion concluded his remarks by saying “Mister Ambassador, America is not what it was a hundred years ago when it was a provincial state. You are now in position of having replaced Britain as world leader. They (western countries) want at least a token shipment of arms from US. Then they are in better position to go ahead”.

When I reminded Ben Gurion of your April 11 conversation with Eban, he replied, “yes, it marks a little advance”.

Lawson
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/4–1556. Secret; Priority. Received at 4:47 p.m., April 16. Repeated to Ottawa, London, Paris, and Rome. 2 Printed as telegram 398, Document 279.↩
  2. . Printed as telegram 398, Document 279.↩