361. Message From Prime Minister Ben Gurion to President Eisenhower1
Dear Mr. President: On October 15, 1956, Secretary of State Dulles conveyed to the Government of Israel through Ambassador Eban your expression of hope for close friendship with Israel and his anxiety over certain developments and eventualities in the Middle East.
I warmly reciprocate your wish for growing friendship between our two countries. In the spirit of that friendship I feel bound to suggest urgently that you approach the appropriate capitals, in order to prevent the entry of Iraqi troops into Jordan.
I have given deep thought to this matter since Ambassador Lawson brought it to my attention on October 1st. I am now convinced that the proposed move which the British Government is actively promoting, would not increase stability in the Middle East, but would on the contrary have profoundly disturbing effects.
The entry of Iraqi forces into Jordan would be the first stage in the disruption of the status quo. It would evoke strongly conflicting passions within Jordan and would set in motion a chain of tension and increased instability within Jordan and throughout the other Arab countries. The Jordan-Israel frontier is in a state of high tension owing to continuing acts of murder and sabotage by infiltrators from Jordan. Iraq’s army joined the other Arab armies in invading Israel eight years ago and still openly proclaims a “State of War against Israel”. At the conclusion of the Arab invasion they refused to sign an armistice agreement with Israel. Israel could clearly not remain indifferent to a move which would bring Iraqi troops over their own frontier and closer to Israel.
In these circumstances the projected move of Iraqi troops would acutely aggravate the threat to Israel’s security. I earnestly hope that you will find it possible to exert your eminent authority in the name of peace by urging the British Government, and others concerned, to desist from the implementation of this plan.
Very respectfully yours,
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File. Transmitted to the Department of State in a letter from Reuven Shiloah to Dulles, which asked that the message be transmitted to President Eisenhower.↩