867N.01/5–1648: Telegram
The Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Israel (Ben-Gurion) to President Truman
MH30. On behalf of Provisional Government of State of Israel beg to extend to you expression of profound gratitude and appreciation for your great gesture in according prompt recognition to Provisional Government as de facto authority of new State of Israel. Your consistent and wise advocacy of justice of our cause in national and international councils, your insistence on admission to Palestine of large numbers of survivors of Nazi oppression in Europe, your direction of the United States policy giving United States delegation leadership at November Session of Assembly in favor of creation Jewish state in Palestine and finally your lead to whole world making United States the first power in history to recognise State of Israel have been decisive in shaping destinies of Holy Land and Jewish people. State of Israel in its present trials and tribulations is confidently looking forward to your and your peoples’ continued sympathy and support for final solution of Palestine question which will end agelong Jewish tragedy and enable State of Israel to become stabilising and progressive force in Near East and to contribute its humble share to welfare and peace of human race.1
- The White House referred Mr.
Ben-Gurion’s communication to the Department of State for reply. The
Secretary of State made acknowledgement to Mr. Epstein on May 27,
stating:
“It is the hope of the United States Government that the efforts of the United Nations to bring about conditions of peace in Palestine will be successful and that Israel will cooperate with the United Nations in these endeavors.
“I extend to Israel the felicitations of the United States Government and express the hope that Israel will be able to look forward to long years of tranquility, prosperity and honor as one of the community of nations.”
Moshe Shertok, as Foreign Secretary of the Provisional Government of Israel, addressed a communication to the Secretary of State which expressed his Government’s deep gratitude to the united States and the Department of State for according prompt recognition. This communication was transmitted to the Secretary of State in a letter of May 17 signed by Mr. Epstein as “Representative” of the Provisional Government of Israel. The Secretary of State made acknowledgement to Mr. Epstein on May 27, with an expression of the sincere appreciation of the United States Government for the message from Mr. Shertok (867N.01/5–1748).
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