394. Message From President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Ben Gurion1
Dear Mr. Ben Gurion: Yesterday I forwarded to you a personal message expressing my grave concern regarding reports of mobilization in Israel and renewing my previous plea, which had been transmitted to you by the Secretary of State, that no forcible initiative be taken by Israel which would endanger peace in the Middle East.
This morning I have received additional reports which indicate that mobilization of Israel’s armed forces is continuing and has become almost complete. This further message is prompted by the gravity of the situation as I see it.
Because of the wide repercussions which might result in the present high state of tension in the Middle East and because of the intentions which the United States expressed in the Tripartite Declaration of May 25, 1950, I have given instructions that this situation be discussed with the United Kingdom and France, which are parties to the Declaration, requesting them to exert all possible efforts to ameliorate the situation. I have also directed that my concern be communicated to other Middle Eastern countries, urgently requesting that they refrain from any action which could lead to hostilities.
Again, Mr. Prime Minister, I feel compelled to emphasize the dangers inherent in the present situation and to urge your Government to do nothing which would endanger the peace.2
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/10–2856. Secret. Transmitted Niact to Tel Aviv in telegram 357, October 28, 3:32 p.m., with the instruction: “Deliver urgently following message from President to Prime Minister Ben Gurion”. The telegram, which is the source text, was drafted by Wilkins and Rountree, approved in draft by Eisenhower, and signed by Rountree for Dulles.↩
- Telegram 357 does not bear Eisenhower’s signature.↩