Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XVIII, Arab-Israeli Dispute, 1964–1967

183. Telegram From the Embassy in Israel to the Department of State¹

Tel Aviv, March 10, 1965, 1 a.m.

1142. For Secretary and Bundy. Part One.

Most grateful your 896 and 898.² We played to hilt. After talk with Peres, Levavi, Harman tonight we confident final closing tomorrow with Eshkol possible. Had arranged meeting with him tomorrow Wednesday 10 March 9 p.m. say goodbye, at which will now hopefully settle whole matter. Did not reveal our full position tonight. Instead passed word Peres and others earlier I had permission go home. US was tired with months’ haggling and would make its own decisions, since no gentlemen’s agreement seemed possible. Histrionics rejecting last night’s Harman performance useful too. This worked, and they came to us tonight.

Their counterproposal follows in Part Two,³ as amended by us to remove nonsense. Also our comments on what needed close deal, which will cause Washington no pain in our judgment. Komer will see Peres privately for lunch tomorrow convey gist our response. Will draw on Deptels 896 and 898 if you can’t respond by then.

They bought our insistence secrecy and credible undertaking tacit acquiescence in Jordan arms sale. Promise give this to us as firm oral gentlemen’s agreement tomorrow, which Harman will execute Washington. Harman much subdued tonight. Part [Two] will follow.

Barbour

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, DEF 12–5 ISR. Secret; Flash; Exdis. Received on March 9 at 6:58 p.m. and passed to the White House.
2. Telegram 896 is Document 182. Telegram 898 to Tel Aviv, March 9, responded to telegram 1140 from Tel Aviv, also March 9, in which Komer proposed revisions and clarifications in his instructions in telegram 896. Telegram 898 stated that the United States should offer M48A1 tanks to Israel and M48 tanks to Jordan, that Komer could refer to “less than 24” planes rather than “less than 20” but should avoid specific comment on types of planes, and that he should make it clear that the United States might have to conclude arrangements with Hussein the next day. (Both in National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, DEF 12–5 ISR)
3. The proposed Israeli memorandum of understanding, with Komer’s comments, was transmitted in telegram 1143 from Tel Aviv, March 10, which constituted Part Two of Komer’s message. (Ibid.) Telegram 1144 from Tel Aviv, March 10, transmitted Part Three of his message, which reported additional details on the meeting. (Ibid.)