662. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State1

Delga 392. Re Palestine/Suez. Eban, Rafael and Kidron (Israel) called on me today to say because of SYG’s dissatisfaction with Israel’s previously planned rate of withdrawal from Sinai,2 Israel has scrapped its previous schedule and now plans withdraw forces at rate which will see them completely out of Sinai west of El Arish by about first week in January. They plan inform SYG of this new schedule this afternoon.

Eban said this would leave a number of problems which they would also take up with SYG today:

1.
Gulf of Aqaba. Israel believes UNEF forces must ensure freedom of navigation in the Gulf, possibly by stationing troops along shore and leaving them there until some more permanent form of guarantee can be worked out. They are also willing consider stationing a UN ship in Gulf if this could accomplish same purpose.
2.
Gaza.3 They understand SYG is not yet ready discuss his plans for Gaza strip.
3.
Demilitarization of Sinai. Israel wants some assurance Egyptian forces are not permitted re-establish themselves in any strength behind UNEF lines and thereby recreate conditions which led to present situation. Eban said Israel believes SYG has power to decide what Egyptian forces will be permitted enter Sinai and where they will be stationed. Israel wants assurance UNEF forces will remain deployed in area east of El Arish so border areas will be entirely free of Egyptian forces. They also want be sure UNEF forces occupy key [Page 1326] positions in Sinai west of El Arish, and that UNEF forces will remain long enough time for working out at least modus vivendi for border area, if not a peace settlement.
4.
Fedayeen activities. Eban said Israel would also ask SYG use his authority under November 2 resolution4 to prevent activation of Fedayeen units.
5.
Suez Canal. Finally, Eban said when Suez Canal is reopened, it must be open to Israel ships.

Having accelerated their withdrawal, Eban said, Israel strongly hopes US will play active role in helping bring about above measures of security for Israel.

I said I was glad to hear news about accelerated withdrawal, and I would report Eban’s views promptly to Washington where I was sure they would be given urgent and careful consideration.

Eban then asked about our plans for action on the two pending resolutions on Suez and Palestine settlements. Eban said that, at least as regards Suez settlement, it would seem the time has come for some action on this proposal. I told him while it seemed clear that the time has come for action on Suez settlement, and Egyptians seemed be inclined go along on this, we did not think it was yet time to press for Palestine settlement. I told him we were continuing to study question of timing on this resolution with a view to moving as soon as possible.

Lodge
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/12–2156. Confidential; Priority. Received at 8:23 p.m.
  2. On December 19, the Mission in New York reported that, according to a cable from General Burns to Hammarskjold, Burns had “noted” but not accepted the Israeli statement that Israel would withdraw its forces from Sinai at the rate of 25 kilometers per week. Burns had accepted the Israeli statement only with regard to the positions to be reached during the first week. (Delga 377, December 19; ibid., 320.5780/2–1956)
  3. On December 19, Ben Gurion told the Knesset: “In no event and in no manner will Israel agree to the return of the Egyptian invader” to the Gaza Strip. (Telegram 767 from Tel Aviv, December 20; ibid., 674.84A/12–2056)
  4. Reference is to General Assembly Resolution 997 (ES–I); see Document 467.