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

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

New York, February 5, 1957–5 p.m.

Delga 660. Eyes only for the Secretary from Lodge. Confirming my conversation with you and the President at the White House last night,² let me submit this:

The time has come for the US to put enough pressure on Israel so that she will withdraw completely and immediately from Egyptian soil. I advocate such action for the following reasons:

1. It is in Israel’s own best short-range interests since it is clear that Egypt will never give the advance assurances which Israel seeks so long as Israel’s “foot is in Egypt’s face”, to use Fawzi’s phrase. On the other hand, Hammarskjold believes (and I concur) that, after Israeli withdrawal, there is a good chance that Egypt will not object to placing UNEF at the Straits of Tiran.

2. It is in Israel’s long-range best interests (although contrary to her present foreign policy) because continued violation of the UN Charter by Israel can but increase the risk of war in which Israel would surely ultimately suffer more than any other nation.

3. It is required by the US position, expressed in the UN Security Council on October 30, the day after the Israeli invasion occurred. In We Council, the US sponsored a resolution specifically invoking sanctions against Israel if they did not withdraw. We voted for this resolution. It was vetoed by the UK and France. The situation today, as far as Israel’s violation of Egyptian territorial integrity is concerned, is identical with that existing then. Our own words will probably be reenacted in anew GA resolution. We can give no solid reason for abandoning our position which won us universal respect and acclaim from the Afro-Asian world.

4. If we did abandon our position, the UN would be dealt a body blow. It would be said—and believed—that we were willing to use sanctions against France and the UK. But that Israel influence was too strong for us to adhere to the policy of “one law for all”, which the President enunciated at the time.

Lodge

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 674.84A/2–557. Secret; Niact. Received at 5:37 p.m.
2. According to the record of the President’s Daily Appointments, President and Mrs. Eisenhower gave a dinner in honor of Vice President Nixon and members of the Cabinet during the evening of February 4. (Eisenhower Library)