219. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel1
49516. For the Ambassador From the Secretary. Subject: Shiloh Settlement.
1. During your Sunday2 meeting with Begin, you should tell Begin that the report of your February 14 discussion on Shiloh3 has been noted with concern in Washington. It appears that Begin has no intention of taking any action to remove settlers who, by his own admission, should not remain where they now are.
2. You should remind Begin that we take seriously the Israeli commitment given by Dayan last September4 that there would be no new civilian settlements for at least one year. Shiloh, whether authorized as a settlement or not, seems to be becoming a de facto permanent civilian settlement. We believe Begin will agree that this is inconsistent with Israel’s commitment.
3. In addition to this demarch, you should, as you suggest, periodically raise Shiloh with Begin lest he interpret our silence as acquiescence in the de facto situation. We would also like to be kept informed of developments at the Shiloh site itself.
4. Your reporting on the debate over settlements within Israel has been helpful and we are looking forward to earliest possible report of Cabinet decision on Sunday.
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East File, Subject File, Box 48, Israel: 1–2/78. Secret; Niact Immediate.↩
- February 26.↩
- See Document 214.↩
- See Document 106.↩