171. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel1
848. Eyes only for Harriman from Secretary. Tel Aviv’s 1075.2 Please believe me my telegram 847 was not intended to reflect slightest doubt regarding clarity, vigor and force with which you have presented our views during these past four difficult days. On contrary, we can see from your reporting that you have stood very firm against powerful onslaught.
Forceful reiteration in my telegram of points already essentially covered in your initial instructions was intended simply to give you renewed authority to press Israelis to utmost. It reflected continuing and growing feeling by the President that there are limits beyond which we cannot go in support of Israel. He wanted you to be sure that even the strong case which Eshkol has made on Israel’s behalf could not be [Page 371] allowed to override what he considers to be basic interest of US. If we cannot pursue a policy which enables us to further our overall interests in the Middle East, he would prefer to shift responsibility for that area’s stability to other hands.
I think you have done splendid job, regardless of how your final session today comes out, and you have my warmest and most sincere thanks. Good luck and happy landings for the rest of your trip.
- Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 7 US/HARRIMAN. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Jernegan and approved by Rusk in draft. Repeated to Kabul.↩
- Document 170.↩