54. Message From President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Ben Gurion1
Dear Mr. Prime Minister: I attach the greatest importance to the efforts of the United Nations to resolve the situation brought about by the recent hostilities in Egypt. In my message to you of November 7, 1956 I emphasized our belief that it was essential that Israel forces be withdrawn to the General Armistice line, in accordance with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution of November 2. I was gratified at your reply on the following day which stated that upon conclusion of satisfactory arrangements with the United Nations in connection with the international force entering the Suez Canal area, Israel would willingly withdraw its forces.
Nearly three months have passed. British and French forces have been withdrawn from Egypt. Israel withdrawal to the General Armistice line has not yet been completed. This delay in implementation of pertinent resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly has [Page 83] resulted in continuing tension in the Near East and has impaired efforts to work toward the achievement of lasting solutions to the problems which provoked the Near East crisis.
On February 1, 1957 there were tabled in the United Nations two further resolutions addressed to the situation in the Near East. The first of these calls again upon Israel to withdraw its forces behind the General Armistice line. The second calls for scrupulous observance of the 1949 Armistice Agreement and recognizes that withdrawal by Israel must be followed by action which would assure progress toward the creation of peaceful conditions. Provision is made for the placing of the United Nations Emergency Force on the Egyptian-Israel armistice demarcation line and the implementation of other measures as proposed in the Secretary General’s report of January 25, 1957, with a view to achieving situations conducive to the maintenance of peaceful conditions there. It is recalled that the Secretary General indicated useful measures which might be developed in the case of Gaza and Sharm el Shaikh.
Other nations deeply and directly interested in the establishment of peaceful conditions in the Near East have joined the United States in sponsoring these resolutions. We believe that the measures set forth in the Secretary General’s report, which these resolutions are designed to implement, lay a sound foundation for the establishment of peaceful conditions in the former area of hostilities, the prevention of further outbreaks, and the solution of the problems of Gaza and Sharm el Shaikh.
The essential first step must be the completion of the withdrawal of Israel forces behind the General Armistice line. It is my earnest hope that this withdrawal will be completed without further delay.
You know how greatly our nation values close and friendly relations with yours, and we wish to continue the friendly cooperation which has contributed to Israel’s national development. We like to feel that our friendly sentiment is reciprocated by Israel. Therefore, I feel warranted in urging most seriously that Israel should not continue an ignoring of United Nations Resolutions which, taken as a whole, mark, I believe, an important step toward bringing tranquillity and justice to your and neighboring lands. Such continued ignoring of the judgment of the nations, as expressed in the United Nations Resolutions, would almost surely lead to the invoking of further United Nations procedures which could seriously disturb the relations between Israel and other member nations including the United States.
The United States Government has made great exertions to promote constructive United Nations action and I greatly hope that your Government will make its own indispensable contribution.
[Page 84]I was distressed to learn of your recent illness but am happy to hear reports that you are mending rapidly.
With best wishes,
Sincerely,
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/2–357. Confidential. Transmitted to the Embassy in Tel Aviv in Niact telegram 760,12:33 a.m., which is the source text, with the instruction: “Following message from President should be handed to PriMinBen Gurion soonest.” Telegram 760 was drafted by Bergus, cleared by Wilcox, and approved by Dulles. A copy is in the Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File.↩
- Telegram 760 bears this typed signature.↩