784A.5 MSP/10–2653
No. 707
Memorandum of Conversation, by the
Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and
African Affairs (Byroade)
Subject:
- Economic Sanctions against Israel and Related Matters Affecting US-Israel Relations.
Participants:
- Secretary Dulles
- NEA—Mr. Byroade
- NE—Mr. Waller
- Senator Irving M. Ives, New York
- Representative Jacob Javits, New York
- Mr. Maxwell Abbell, President of United Synagogue of America, Chicago
- Mr. Matthew Brown, Member of Administrative Committee of American Jewish Committee, Boston
- Mrs. Samuel W. Halprin, Vice Chairman of American Zionist Council, N.Y.
- Mr. Philip M. Klutznick, President of B’nai B’rith, Park Forest, Ill.
- Mr. Louis Lipsky, Chairman of American Zionist Council, New York
- Mr. William Rosenwald, Vice President Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, New York
- Mr. Bernard H. Trager, Chairman of National Community Relations Advisory Council, Bridgeport, Conn.
- Mr. Bernard Katzen, New York
Senator Ives and Representative Javits opened the discussion by stating the concern of the group in that they saw a sharp difference in the treatment accorded Israel and that accorded the Arab states. They stated there was deep-seated concern not only among Americans of the Jewish faith but Americans in general at recent actions which tend to lose Israel’s friendship while not really gaining the friendship of the Arab states.
The Secretary thanked the group for having the courtesy to call and develop in some detail his long and close relationship with matters affecting Israel and referred to his religious background which had given him long association with Judaism.
The Secretary explained that we were extremely eager to see peace in the Middle East. He had hoped on assuming office that quick progress could be made in this direction but found out during his trip to the area that this was impossible because passions were too high and US influence in the Arab world was at a minimum. He stated he had found Ben Gurion in a statesmanlike mood and that Ben Gurion had himself stated he hoped our influence could be increased in the Arab states. We have been hoping for a period of relative calm under which to carry out our policy—unfortunately the opposite has occurred.
The Secretary gave the group the substance of his recent talks with Ambassador Eban (which are recorded separately) explaining particularly the sequence of events which resulted in a temporary suspension of US economic aid. He stated that what we were doing was done solely to back the local machinery of the United Nations in a situation which looked as if armed conflict might result had [Page 1386] we not acted as we had. He explained briefly the US interests in the area as a whole, touching upon both the strategic value of the area and the petroleum reserves upon which our military planning depends. He stated as Secretary of State he could not ignore such vital factors to our own security.
The members of the group in turn identified their organization and stated their feelings. Points raised include the following: Arab economic blockade with particular reference to the Suez Canal; censuring of Israel not helpful because it would make Arabs more difficult to deal with; the impracticability of Israel being forced to obtain agreement of Syria on the Jordan diversion project; it was unfair to Israel to single out Qibya incident as the Three Powers had done.
The general theme of the above was that it was all right to try to make friends with the Arab states but that it should not be done at the expense of Israel. All expressed their appreciation of the Secretary’s personal integrity on this matter and his desire to achieve peace.
Senator Ives asked what action could be taken to remedy the situation. The Secretary then read a statement he had prepared for the Press. The general content of this statement was to state in moderate terms the reasons behind the temporary suspension of funds and to restate the fact that there had been no change in our basic friendship for Israel. The group unanimously urged that no such statement be made. It became apparent that the group was against any statement explaining our actions, if it was at all critical as regards Israel.
Congressman Javits then read a statement which the group planned to release to the Press. The Secretary took strong exception to the statement as drafted as it contained various inaccuracies and distortions. He pointed out that if there was a large measure of misunderstanding on this issue it had been done in part by the Jewish fraternity. He suggested the group might spend some time working with representatives of the Israeli Government to try to change their policy of presenting the world with faits accompli. Cooperation seemed to be a one-way street as far as Israel is concerned. He said that we had been working very hard with the Arabs but no one in the group seemed interested in that.
Senator Ives asked whether it would be possible to issue a statement saying that aid was being withheld to all Near Eastern States. The Secretary refused to consider any such statement. He pointed out, however, that Israel would be the main one to suffer from any such policy.
The Secretary agreed that Mr. Byroade would go through the statement prepared by the group for the purpose of removing inaccuracies. [Page 1387] This was done and the group agreed to delete several portions. It was made clear that this cooperation on the text of their statement did not imply that the Department of State agreed with the statements of opinion remaining in the statement.