Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

611.84A/9–2053: Telegram

No. 671
The Chargé in Israel (Russell) to the Department of State¹

confidential
priority

Tel Aviv, September 20, 1953—5 p.m.

338. Article in Jerusalem Post this morning says Eban will tell State Department next week “Israeli public opinion disturbed by various American Government acts of omission and commission, none of great importance individually, but together creating an adverse psychological climate”.

Comment

1. Embassy believes that while Israeli public opinion toward US has undergone some change in recent months, its present state is only what would be normally expected in face of United States necessity of: (a) Beginning taper off abnormal proportion which Israel has been getting from US aid to Near East; (b) Taking steps to remedy security vacuum in area without being able wait until Israel and Arabs make peace; (c) Declining accede to move of Foreign Ministry to Jerusalem.

2. To extent Israeli public does not understand United States position, it is in part result of efforts by Israeli Government and press to mispresent or withhold information about United States position (e.g. statement of Foreign Minister to me that no one aware United States Embassy not going to Jerusalem (Embassy telegrams 315² and 67³).

3. In talk I had with Bendor past week, he made point reported above concerning state of Israeli public opinion. I told him we must be equally concerned with trend of United States public opinion toward policies of Israeli Government; that this trend result of increasing doubts concerning:

(a) Effect of Israeli Government policies free world security in area. United States has made fearful sacrifices as result similar vacuum in Korea and US public wants make sure every effort taken now to remove temptation to Kremlin which currently exists here. Israeli Government position rightly or wrongly been widely regarded as obstructive.

(b) Israeli Government refusal take its share of responsibility for solving problem of Arab refugees. Warm support which American people gave to Israel, result of conviction Jewish people as refugees from totalitarian persecution entitled to help. Arab refugees from Israel similarly entitled to assistance in return to normal life. Widely held opinion in US, Israeli Government should cooperate.

(c) Israeli Government fait accompli approach to Jerusalem problem. Since World War II, between 72% and 94% of American public has supported United Nations. General belief that support should extend to resolutions US has not voted for as well as those we have. Israeli Government violation of General Assembly resolution on Jerusalem and particularly its recent efforts to induce countries having missions here to disregard it, not well received by informed United States public opinion.

Russell

1. A copy of this telegram was submitted to the Secretary as an attachment to a briefing memorandum by Byroade dated Sept. 25, in preparation for the Secretary’s meeting with Ambassador Eban that day. (601.84A11/9–2553)
2. Telegram 315 from Tel Aviv, Sept. 12, reporting on a conversation that day between Russell and Sharett, included the following: “Sharett commented world is unaware we are now [not] going to Jerusalem; if we should go it would therefore make no difference.” (784A.02/9–1253)
3. Telegram 67 from Tel Aviv, July 15, in part summarized an article in the Jerusalem Post, July 15, under the headline “No United States Objections to Ministry’s Transfer”. (784A.02/7–1553)