Office of the Historian

867N.00/4–2447: Telegram

The Consul General at Jerusalem (Macatee) to the Secretary of State

secret
Jerusalem, April 24, 1947—2 p. m.

169. Head of Political Department1 of JA states High Commissioner asked Ben-Gurion to call yesterday for purpose of informing him that military would very soon take over complete control of Palestine. Myerson added that Cunningham expressed regret at this move, saying he realized it would “wipe out many Jewish achievements here”. We do not understand implications of above but they will no doubt become clear within short period when will report further.2

Macatee
  1. Golda Myerson.↩
  2. In telegram 175, April 26, the Consul General at Jerusalem reported that the British version of these events differed considerably from that of the Jewish Agency. The Chief Secretary of the Palestine Government stated to Mr. Macatee that the “High Commissioner informed Ben-Gurion that if Agency did not get control of terrorists very soon it would be necessary for military to reestablish martial law in Jewish areas. Without mention Agency I said certain sources seemed to believe underlying implication was that entire civilian government would depart from Palestine. Chief Secretary dismissed this idea as completely unfounded as conversion to purely military government could not possibly occur so quickly.” (867N.00/4–2647)↩