701.67N11/5–1948: Telegram
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Government of Israel (Shertok) to the Secretary of State
MH98. I have the honour to inform you that the Provisional Government of Israel having taken cognizance of its recognition by the United States Government has decided to seek the approval of the United States Government, which I confidently hope will be forthcoming without delay, for the establishment of the Legation of Israel in Washington and to appoint Mister Eliahu Epstein, former Representative of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, as the Minister of Israel in Washington.
I trust that the Legation will be accorded all proper facilities and that the cordial personal relations existing between Mister Epstein and officials of the State Department will continue in the new auspicious phase of his duties.
The Provisional Government of Israel hopes that the United States Government may soon see its way to establishing a Legation of the United States in the State of Israel and to sending for this purpose its representative to Tel Aviv with the status of a Minister.
I take this opportunity of reiterating the deep appreciation of the Provisional Government for the prompt recognition granted to it by the United States Government as the de facto authority. In the State of Israel as well as of expressing my own gratitude to you for the [Page 1013] personal consideration which you have so kindly shown to me and to Mister Epstein in the past.
Foreign Secretary