Office of the Historian

30. Memorandum of Conversation0

Washington, August 24, 1962.

SUBJECT

  • Mr. Feldman’s Recent Visit to Israel

PARTICIPANTS

  • Mr. McGeorge Bundy—The White House
  • Mr. Myer Feldman—The White House
  • Ambassador Barbour
  • NEA—Mr. James Grant
  • NE—Mr. William Crawford

When asked to summarize orally the results of his visit to Israel, Mr. Feldman commented as follows:

1.
He had obtained a firm, secret commitment from Mrs. Meir that neither Israel nor its friends will introduce the direct negotiations resolution at this General Assembly, unless the United States should so request, and provided the United States agrees to “oppose” resolutions proffered by the Arabs. Mrs. Meir had stated that Israel will continue to make representations to other nations as if it were seeking to introduce such a resolution. Israel will probably make speeches in favor of such a course in the General Assembly, but it will not actually push these efforts to the point of seeking introduction of a resolution. It can answer for its friends. Mrs. Meir emphasized that this must be an absolutely secret agreement between Israel and the United States.
2.
Regarding the Hawk, Mrs. Meir said that Israel has no interest in the Bloodhound. It has not received a firm offer for this but the system is inferior. Even if it were not and cost less than the Hawk, Israel, for other reasons, would purchase the United States system.
3.
On the refugees, Mrs. Meir had made it clear that Israel distrusts Dr. Johnson not for bias but because he is considered naive. [1 line of source text not declassified]

Israel’s commitment in regard to the refugees is as follows:

Israel will not reveal the true purpose of Mr. Feldman’s visit.

Israel will “not say anything” to obstruct implementation of the Plan unless:

a) Nasser begins propagandizing in favor of repatriation, and b) when the plan begins to operate Nasser refuses to settle those refugees who opt for resettlement. Mr. Feldman said that, regarding provisos a) [Page 74] and b), Israel at times inserted here the words “Arab states” instead of ”Nasser”. It is evident that Nasser is their main concern and that we can hold them to this more narrow construction of the meaning of their two provisos.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 664A.86/8-2462. Secret; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Crawford.↩