Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1957, Volume XVII

396. Message From Secretary of State Dulles to Prime Minister Ben Gurion¹

Washington, November 12, 1957.

Dear Mr. Prime Minister: Ambassador Eban has given me your letter of October 31² to which I have given considerable thought. I appreciate the expression of awareness of the need to preserve quiet along the armistice lines between Israel and the neighboring Arab states. I am sure you have no doubt of the importance which we attach to this. We do not, of course, contemplate that cooperation by Israel to achieve this purpose would involve relinquishment of any rights which Israel may have. Sometimes, however, it is the part of wisdom to refrain from exercising rights.

We believe that we have made quite clear to the Soviet Union our deep interest in the maintenance of independence and integrity of all the states of the Near East, including Israel. We do not, however, exclude the possibility that a reiteration to the Soviets, through the diplomatic channel, of our attitude, perhaps in more specific terms, might be useful. We are giving consideration to this possibility with a view to determining the most effective context in which such a reaffirmation of our policy might take place. It is obvious that we would wish to avoid providing the Soviet Union with an opportunity further to capitalize on the unresolved Arab-Israel conflict as a means for the attainment of Communist objectives in the area.

We continue to believe that the Israel armed forces retain their superiority and their capability of dealing with any threat which may arise from within the area. We feel that Israel’s membership in the United Nations and the totality of United States policies afford very substantial protection to Israel in the event of an attack coming from inside or outside the area. We doubt that by a substantial increase in armaments Israel could hope to obtain a capacity to ward off entirely an initial air onslaught or to prevent an isolated attack on Israel shipping. Furthermore, the implications, for Israel’s total economic and productive strength, of maintaining an even greater military capacity than Israel now enjoys warrant the very careful consideration I am sure you and your colleagues are giving them.

I was glad to hear through your Ambassador that you were interested in my remarks to him with regard to our hope to advance the society of nations, or that part of it which is friendly, toward the kind of collective defense system which nations have domestically. As I stated to your Ambassador, I believe that if the world could move forward in that direction, even though down a fairly long road, everybody would benefit. I believe that this is an area of fruitful discussion between our two governments in the critical period which lies ahead. I feel that substance rather than form is of the essence in this situation.

I believe that all of us recognize that we must face a period of tension and instability in the Near East for a considerable time ahead. I am convinced, however, that the Free World has the strength and the determination to deal effectively with the problems that face us, not only in the Near East but elsewhere.

With kindest personal regards,

Sincerely yours,

John Foster Dulles³

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 684A.86/10–3157. Secret. Transmitted to the Embassy in Tel Aviv in telegram 371, November 12, which is the source text, with the instruction: “Deliver following personal message to Prime Minister soonest”. Telegram 371 wash drafted by Bergus; cleared by Rountree, Jones, Howe, Walmsley; and approved by Dulles.

   On November 8, Rountree forwarded to Dulles for his approval the text of this message under cover of a memorandum which noted, among other points, that a démarche to the Soviet Union either by public statement or through the diplomatic channel would most certainly be used by the Soviet Union as a basis for propaganda aimed at weakening the U.S. position with Arab states. (Ibid., 784A.56/11–857)

2. See Document 391.

3. Telegram 371 bears this typed signature.

   In telegram 476 from Tel Aviv, November 15, Lawson reported: “Delivered to Prime Minister at his residence Jerusalem Secretary’s personal message November 13. He read it carefully saying he would not at time make comment. However in aside to Shiloah and Comay as he handed them letter with instructions to discuss it with Foreign Minister he remarked ‘It is very general—very general’.” (Ibid., 684A.86/11–1557)