630. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State1
1752. In conversation with Nasser last night I again raised question treatment Jews (Embassy telegram 1663)2 and noted that although reassuring public position taken by GOE and considerable improvement reported re attitude of responsible officials, Embassy continued receive reports of widespread pressure on Jews to leave and I made especial plea for stateless Jews who in most cases have roots only in Egypt. I also advanced arguments in Department telegram 1731.3
Nasser replied at loss understand why so much agitation. He had looked into matter and found that British and French Jews being asked leave not as Jews but as persons British and French nationality. Also some 250 stateless Jews were being expelled on individual cases as is but others allowed remain.
I said that quite frankly report given Nasser did not agree with information Embassy receiving from various sources. Also we were advised that there are number cases where no formal deportation order but pressures exerted which have same effect.
Nasser admitted there had been such cases but said now corrected and believed source of much misinformation this connection was head of Swiss unit in charge of British and French interests.
I then suggested that matter might be made clearer if correspondents allowed file stories entirely free of censorship. If this done GOE would probably see printed some things they would not like but stories would be more balanced than those emanating from foreign sources.
Nasser indicated he would take foregoing into consideration but I did not get impression of his feeling under impulsion to act vigorously. From this conversation was difficult decide whether Nasser not fully informed in what is admittedly highly complicated [Page 1235] and confused matter or whether he understands and condones, or whether mixture both, which most likely.
In separate following telegram4 Embassy has endeavored make factual analysis this subject although information still fragmentary and unreliable. Should also be emphasized that, unfortunate as have been developments affecting Jewish community in Egypt, action taken by GOE in respect Jews has been similar in spirit to that taken against British and French and little indication of anti-Semitism per se. However, dispassionate character of action does not of course constitute justification.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 874.411/12–256. Secret. Received at 8 p.m. Repeated to London, Paris, Amman, Beirut, Baghdad, Damascus, and Jidda.↩
- Telegram 1663, November 26, reported that, according to a confidant of Nasser, the “highest levels” of the Egyptian Government had reviewed the status of British and French nationals and persons of Jewish origin and a clarification of policy would be issued later that day. (Ibid., 641.74/11–2656)↩
- Telegram 1731, November 28, noted that the statement made by the Egyptian Government on November 26 had not relieved apprehension being fueled by stories in the U.S. press alleging the expulsion and mistreatment of Jews in Egypt. It instructed Hare, unless he strongly objected, to approach the Egyptian Government and point out the extremely serious effect on public opinion in the United States and elsewhere if Egypt carried out the repressive policies being reported. (Ibid., 874.411/11–2756)↩
- Reference is to telegram 1777, December 3, not printed. (Ibid., 874.411/12–356) In this telegram, the Embassy in Cairo noted that although official sanction had been given to the concept that all Jews regardless of nationality were identified with Israeli aggressors, other public statements by Egyptian officials had clearly rejected the policy of all-out anti-Jewish activities, and street violence (such as had occurred in 1947, 1948, 1949, and 1952) had been avoided. The Egyptian Government, however, clearly wished all non-Egyptian Jews to leave the country and had taken various official measures to achieve that end. (Ibid.)↩