867N.01/7–2546: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:49 a.m.]
6975. From Grady. I have just received the following letter from Dr. Goldmann of the Jewish Agency which he insisted should be sent in to me at the meeting I was attending.
“Referring to my telephone conversation with you this morning, I feel it to be my duty to let you know the following, which Dr. Weizmann and I had intended to tell you had you been able to see us. We [Page 668] understand from the various press reports of your negotiations with the British, that, whatever agreement the two Governments may reach will be submitted to both Jews and Arabs for discussion and consultation. It may be, therefore, that any agreement reached with regard to the admission of the 100,000 refugees to Palestine may also be included in such consultations, and this, in view of the complicated nature of the Palestine problem, may mean at best a delay of many months. As you know, the Jewish Agency has always held that the question of the 100,000 fates [certificates?] to be decided, as recommended by the Enquiry Committee, immediately, and without awaiting the decision on major policy which will require some time for its solution. From the very first days after the publication of the Enquiry Committee’s report, President Truman has taken up the same position, and has given expression to his views in various public statements. When the four American members of the Jewish Agency Executive had the privilege of being received by the President on July 2, he was good enough to tell us, in unmistakably clear terms, that he adhered to this view, and that the 100,000 certificates should be granted without waiting for the decision on major policy. In a conversation I had with Mr. Dean Acheson a few days before I left the States, he also agreed to this view. If for one reason or another this position should now be changed, and the agreement reached with the British regarding the admission of the 100,000 should become subject to future consultations—which means that it may be made dependent on Arab consent—I want you to know that a situation will arise which will make it impossible for the Agency to participate in any such negotiations. Jewish public opinion in the United States, and the Zionist movement all over the world, would have to regard such a step as a reversal of the policy of the United States Government. As to the main proposal concerning major policy—as published today in considerable detail in responsible British papers—I would also like you to know that if the reports accurately reflect the character of this proposal, it appears to me wholly unacceptable from our point of view. I felt that you should know this, especially what I have said with regard to the 100,000 certificates, at this—maybe decisive—stage of your negotiations with the British.”
It might interest the Department to know that while we are negotiating the Palestine matter there are here in London not only Dr. Weizmann but Goldmann, Kaplan, Berstein and Gass. I have made formal acknowledgement of this letter. I did not deem it proper for me to see the leaders of either Jews or Arabs while negotiations are going on. Since this letter is at least semi-official from the Jewish Agency and contains manifest misstatements the Department might wish me to follow up my acknowledgement with a letter. Should they14 wish this, please cable outline of reply they would want me to make.15 [Grady.]