867n.01/7–1045: Telegram
No. 649
The Consul General at Jerusalem (Pinkerton) to the Acting Secretary of State
116. Inspector General of Police1 does not predict widespread disorders or general Jewish uprising if British decision immigration is unfavorable, altho present agency leadership may be endangered thereby (Dept’s 129, July 5, 7 p.m.2) He does predict large scale illegal immigration which he says has started from nearby countries and for which preparations have been made in Balkans. He says this will prove very embarrassing. Terrorism by Stern group and Irgun Zwai Leumi3 is expected and this will probably be directed against British and may include assassination and destruction of property. Seriousness of this terror will depend (1) upon attitude of local population to it, (2) action taken by Jewish agency to combat it and (3) possible retaliation by Arabs.
Information indicates many elements of both Jewish and Arab communities are well prepared in arms for uprising and some Jewish elements are well trained for that purpose. Largest group is Hagana4 which is well disciplined and will go into action as group only if ordered to do so by Jewish agency leaders if Arabs attack after provocation by terrorists [sic] groups.
[Page 979]Inspector General is convinced his force will be able to combat terrorism and handle any situation except major uprising which would require military intervention and which is not expected. Acting High Commissioner5 points out however that force is under strength by 2,000 British police and military would have to be called in earlier than if force were up to strength. Necessary military force is available and security is regarded as reasonably good. Sporadic uprisings may be expected, their extent depending upon developments and they cannot be avoided so long as present racial hatred and clash of nationalisms continue. So far religion has not been major factor and Arabs, Moslems and Christians are united against Zionism.
Future security is difficult to predict because tension shows no sign of easing and minor incident such as Jerusalem mayoralty may easily develop into major issue involving widespread revolts and possibly other Arab countries. Neither side gives any indication of willingness to compromise and strong security measures will have to be continued indefinitely.
Sent to Dept and repeated London.
- Captain John Murray Rymer-Jones.↩
- Not printed.↩
- With respect to these two organizations, see Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry: Report to the United States Government and His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, Lausanne, Switzerland, April 20, 1946 (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1946; Department of State publication No. 2536), pp. 46–47.↩
- See ibid., p. 45.↩
- J. V. W. Shaw.↩