315. Letter From President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Ben Gurion1
Dear Mr. Prime Minister: I have delayed replying to your important letter to me of March sixteenth2 because of the rapid developments that have been taking place, including notably the mission of Secretary-General Hammarskjold. We are awaiting his report with hope and confidence.
The only reply I can give you at this moment to the chief subject of your letter, the question of the sale of armaments, is a straightforward one. You have presented your case forcefully and eloquently. But there are other factors to which you do not allude, factors affecting the ability of the United States to maintain its influence for peace in the area. We are not persuaded that it would serve the cause of peace and stability in the world for the United States now to accede to your request for arms sales. We continue to weigh the matter carefully in the light of developments, and I may have occasion to communicate with you further.3
With kindest personal regard and best wishes,
Sincerely,
- Source: Department of State, S/S–NEA Files: Lot 61 D 417, Omega #3.↩
- Document 201.↩
- Telegram 822, May 1, transmitted the text of the President’s letter to the Embassy in Tel Aviv and informed the Embassy that the signed original had been delivered to the Israeli Embassy the same day. (Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–PA/5–156)↩