684A.85/9–1950: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Israel 1
134. Foll for your guidance in conversations with Israeli officials:
Dept in informal conversation Sept 18 reviewed Palestine situation with Israeli Counselor. Stating before progress cld be made toward normal relations in area new attitude seemed necessary, Dept expressed view Israel’s course of action in Yarmuk terr dispute with Jordan and in matter expelled Beduins hardened Arab attitude and delayed peace. While Israel might be legally right Yarmuk matter, she seemed have delivered blow to possibilities peace with Jordan by taking such an unconciliatory attitude on this very small amount terr which was part of original Trans-Jordan Mandate. With regard to Beduins, Dept maintained in long run it wld have profited Israel more to suffer depredations these people for a while than aggravate relations with Egypt by expulsion, action which also wld be likely discredit Israel in eyes of world. Dept view was Israel, familar with Arab sensitiveness on issues arising out of Palestine question, shld exercise greatest caution avoid incidents likely aggravate Arabs, and [Page 1014] shld forego minor gains in interests larger issue relations with neighbors.
Counselor stated Israel shared Dept’s concern over continued incidents but cld not agree Israel’s attitude was wrong. Maintained Arabs were “blowing up” relatively minor incidents occurring in day-to-day relations between states in area as part continuous propaganda move discredit Israel. Israel had no aggressive intentions against Arab States. In Yarmuk matter was only carrying out agricultural operations in area accorded Israel under armistice agreement. In matter Beduins was expelling people orginally from Sinai who had caused continued and grievous harm Israel. Israel desired peace with Arab States but cld not fail react when Arabs took steps which brought harm Israel.
Dept appreciated there were two sides these questions but reiterated view that in long run Israel’s interests wld be best served by taking more conciliatory attitude in incidents of above nature.
- This telegram was repeated to New York for Action and to Cairo, Amman, and London for information.↩