Editorial Note
Mr. Jessup, before the First Committee on November 20, announced the general agreement of the United States with the basic premises of Count Bernadotte’s report. He stated that peace must return to Palestine; that a Jewish state called Israel existed in Palestine as a recognized entity; that the boundaries of Israel should be determined by agreement of the parties, aided by the Conciliation Commission, that Israel was entitled to the boundaries set forth in the resolution of November 29, 1947, that any modifications of these boundaries be made only if acceptable to Israel, but that if Israel desired additional territory, it must offer an appropriate exchange through negotiations; that the Palestinian refugees be permitted to return to their homes, with adequate compensation to those who chose not to return; that Jerusalem be accorded special treatment; and that the question of international responsibility for guaranteeing boundaries and maintenance of human rights required careful consideration; for text of Mr. Jessup’s statement, see Department of State Bulletin, November 28, 1948, page 657.
British reaction to Mr. Jessup’s statement was “very unfavorable.” Sir Orme Sargent, Permanent Under Secretary of State, said that the statement was worse than the Foreign Office had expected, particularly regarding “(a) abandonment of principle of acquiescence and (b) position that changes can be made in November 29 frontier only with consent PGI.” (Telegram 4961, November 23, 7 p. m., from London, 501.BB Palestine/11–2348)