Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume VIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, January 1977–August 1978

229. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel¹

Washington, March 11, 1978, 2201Z

63426. Subject: Message of Condolence From President Carter for Prime Minister Begin.

1. Para 2 contains text of message from President Carter to Prime Minister Begin concerning terrorist attack.² Ambassador Lewis telephoned Begin at 2340 hours Tel Aviv time and read message to him on President’s behalf. He was deeply grateful for it. Charge should deliver text to Begin Sunday morning³ before Cabinet meeting to confirm oral delivery.

2. Text of Presidential message follows: Quote:

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

It was with a sense of deep personal shock and moral outrage that I learned of the cowardly and senseless attack today on a group of innocent civilians. This brutal act of terrorism will surely be met with universal revulsion by all men of conscience. I know the pain and distress which you must be experiencing at this tragic moment, and I offer you the condolences and deep sympathy of myself, and all of the American people, who share your sorrow. Please give my personal sympathy to the families of the many who died and to those who were wounded. I am particularly distressed that an event such as this should occur just as you were preparing to depart on your mission of peace. I continue to look forward to talking to you soon and relaying to you in person the deep emotions which this event has aroused in this country. In the meantime, please accept, Mr. Prime Minister, my deepest and most heartfelt condolences.

Jimmy Carter. End text.

3. White House plans to release message as soon as it has been delivered.⁴

Vance

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780110–0098. Limited Official Use; Flash. Drafted by Lewis and approved by Sick (NSC) and Glaspie (NEA). Ambassador Lewis was in Washington to prepare for Begin’s visit.
2. On March 11, PLO guerrillas attacked two buses along the Israeli Coastal Highway loaded with Israeli tourists and engaged in a gun battle with Israeli forces that attempted to stop them. The PLO attack and ensuing gun battle left 35 Israelis dead and 71 wounded.
3. March 12.
4. The White House released the text of Carter’s letter to Prime Minister Begin on March 11. It is in Public Papers: Carter, 1978, Book I, p. 505. Vance also issued a statement on March 11. It is in the Department of State Bulletin, May 1978, p. 46.