379. Telegram From the Embassy in Israel to the Department of State1
415. Beginning yesterday morning and continuing until now (12 noon local time) there has been IDF call up on considerable scale of reservists and civilian vehicles in Tel Aviv and adjacent areas as far south as Rehovoth. To this moment operation has closely resembled in techniques and mobilization points expansion in Israel’s arms strength which occurred at time of Nitzana action November last and Fedayeen operations this April.
Present movement has become widely known among local press people and public and there is good deal of speculation that “something big may happen”. Report of special interest has been advice by family controller road transport to Embassy officer that week end trips should be cancelled and food supplies stocked. Reference was made to community of interests with French, a relationship which is being increasingly mentioned here in both public and private circles, with some references to Eilat and Strait of Tiran as possible scenes of actions (reference Embassy despatches 829, June 22, 1955 and 229, October 24, 1956).2
While impossible to know at this time whether present movement will shift from partial to complete mobilization or area of possible action, Embassy will attempt to check other important population centers with view to keeping Department informed.