867N.01/11–348: Telegram
The Minister in Syria (Keeley) to the Acting Secretary of State
684. Rene Servoise, Mediator’s political representative Syria and Lebanon, gives following confidential account of recent Galilee fighter:
Whether or not with provocation Qawuqji’s irregulars began local attack on Al Manara in far northern salient upper Galilee about 10 days ago which resulted in minor Arab successes. Israeli magnified incident out in of all proportion and used it as pretext to launch general offensive in western Galilee which cleared extensive triangular area behind agreed truce lines from apex near Nazareth, some 30 kilometers within Palestine, to south Lebanese frontier. Jews feinted along western flank and then attacked in force westward along road from Safwd to Lebanese frontier achieving singular success, splitting Qawuqji forces and trapping large numbers which are now attempting slip through Jewish lines to Inqax reorganization center near Beit Jubail in Lebanon. Servoise states Israeli disregarded Lebanese frontier and continued their advance into Lebanon in several places to hold strong “tactical frontier”.
He states some 25,000 additional refugees have been forced out of Galilee and declares all his pleas for Red Cross or UN disaster help receive same answer; “sorry, without money or supplies we can do nothing”.
Servoise asserts Galilee situation basically similar Negeb in that in both cases Jews seized small pretext to launch major offensive. He has so informed Bunche and recommended that SC consider Galilee situation concurrently with Negeb, especially as regards provisions for return to original truce lines. However, Servoise does not believe Jews will withdraw regardless of SC action and seems very pessimistic over UN SC unwillingness or inability take decisive measures to stop truce violations.
Source above information must be protected.
Sent Department 684, Department pass Paris 43 for GADel, Cairo 85 and London 25. Repeated Beirut 57, Jerusalem 50. Pouched other Arab capitals, Ankara.