121. Message From President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Ben Gurion1
Dear Mr. Prime Minister: I know Ambassador Eban is reporting fully to you the views of the United States Government concerning the withdrawal by Israel behind the Armistice lines in accordance with the pertinent resolutions of the United Nations. The views expressed to Ambassador Eban by Secretary Dulles, as well as those set forth in our Aide-Mémoire of February 11, are fully shared by me. These are designed to give our national assurances reenforcing the assurances of the United Nations with reference to the future of the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gaza Strip.2 It has been our earnest endeavor, in supporting fully the United Nations in this matter, to explain our attitude and future policies regarding certain future aspects of the problem. This we hoped would encourage you to comply with the resolutions.
Acting upon the request of your representatives, and upon the request contained in your letter of February 18 to Secretary Dulles,3 the United States has supported the postponement of further General Assembly consideration of measures to be taken to achieve implementation of its resolutions on withdrawal. I understand now that the Assembly plans to consider this matter again on February 21 and that further postponement is probably impracticable. Thus, in the absence of an immediate and favorable decision by your Government, there can be no assurance that the next decisions soon to be taken by the United Nations will not involve serious implications. It continues to be my earnest hope that you will announce your intention immediately to comply with the withdrawal resolution and, in the words of the public statement which I authorized on February 17, “rely upon the resoluteness of all friends of justice to bring about a state of affairs which will conform to the principles of justice and of international law and serve impartially the proper interests of all in the area.”
[Page 226]I would greatly deplore the necessity of the United States taking positions in the United Nations, and of the United Nations itself having to adopt measures, which might have far-reaching effects upon Israel’s relations throughout the world. Our position must, however, conform with the principles for which we have firmly stood in relation to these tragic events. I have been in touch with leaders of the Congress. I plan again to speak tonight to the American people with respect to this matter by radio and television. I also feel that at this time I should express again to you the sincere hope that your Government will accede to the wishes of the overwhelming majority of the members of the United Nations.
Believe me, Mr. Prime Minister, that this message is sent in the spirit of the traditional friendship between our countries—a friendship which we zealously seek to preserve and develop.4
Sincerely,
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/2–2027. Secret. Transmitted to Lawson in telegram 809, February 20, 3:53 p.m., which is the source text. On February 20 at 2:15 p.m., Wilkins handed the text of this message to Zev Argaman of the Israeli Embassy and requested him to telephone the substance of the message to Ben Gurion. (Memorandum of conversation by Bergus, February 20; ibid.) Telegram 809 includes an explanation to Lawson that the message had been given to the Israeli Embassy in the “interest of speed”. The telegram was drafted by Wilkins and cleared in substance with Rountree, Dulles, and President Eisenhower. Dulles’ and Eisenhower’s additions are indicated in footnotes below.↩
- This sentence was inserted by President Eisenhower during a telephone conversation with Dulles which began at 1:15 p.m. on February 20. (Memorandum of telephone conversation by Bernau; Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, General Telephone Conversations)↩
- Transmitted in telegram 978, Document 111.↩
- This final sentence was inserted by Dulles during his 1:15 telephone conversation with President Eisenhower.↩
- Telegram 809 bears this typed signature.↩