867N.01/6–2448: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Jerusalem (Burdett) to the Secretary of State
963. During past few days increased activity of Irgun Zvai Leumi and Stern gang in Jerusalem has become extremely apparent. Both, groups have succeeded in bringing into city reinforcements, arms and supplies from Tel Aviv and have taken over strategic areas in Jerusalem which are being turned into fortified enclaves. Haganah authorities here admit that IZL and Stern gang do not submit to Haganah discipline and it is known that Haganah has considerable difficulty in dealing with 2 groups. It also appears that IZL and Stern enjoy preferred positions regarding food and wartime restrictions. Since unification agreement signed by IZL and Stern with Haganah are only valid within Israel, former consider themselves free to act as they wish in Jerusalem. Reliable Jewish source indicates that 2 groups are augmenting their forces here to serve as threat and reminder to Israel Government that IZL and Stern will not tolerate any concession on immigration or status of Jerusalem. Regarding latter it is possible that IZL and Stern will reject international status for city believing that Jerusalem should be capital of Jewish State which, they regard as ultimately including all of Palestine. Dr. Bernard Joseph, Chairman of Jewish Jerusalem Emergency Committee, has, stated to Truce Commission his inability be responsible for, acts IZL and Stern in Jerusalem. Moreover as proven in recent failure by Haganah to dislodge Stern members from enclave in Talbieh quarter of Jerusalem, Haganah unable cope with situation. It is also known that Haganah commander in Jerusalem, David Shaltiel, is under severe censure by Stern for what they consider his conciliatory attitude in present truce negotiations.
Reliable Jewish sources believe that in Israel IZL and Stern support in general policy of Israel Government provided that policy does not weaken or change. In particular 2 groups reject any compromise or concessions on immigration. Stern group is reported to mistrust Ben [Page 1142] Gurion and Shertok in this respect. Both IZL and Stern signed agreements to amalgamate with Haganah and to submit to authority of state. Israeli authorities announced several weeks ago that Stern gang had disbanded with[in] Israel and that arms turned over to Israeli Army. Irgun announced June 16 that within Israel it was now political party under name “Jewish Freedom Movement” but that outside Israel it remained military organization. It is reliably reported that while members IZL and Stern have joined Israel Army, they have been formed into separate battalions under their own officers. Operational command is theoretically responsibility Haganah High Command but IZL and Stern are believed to have representatives on High Command. Considerable and important evidence exists (such as that reported in Haifa’s 76, May 18 and 172 June 22 both to Department1) that amalgamation and submission do not in fact exist and that both groups retain independence of action which Israeli authorities will find increasingly difficult to bring under control and suppress.
Various sources indicate that guidance, money and arms were being provided to Stern gang by Russia through Satellites particularly Poland. Polish Consulates in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are believed to be in close touch with Stern gang and its commanders Nathan Friedman Yellin and deputy Dr. Israel Scheib. It is also believed Russia will make every effort widen this support as effective means of gaining subversive foothold in Israel. While reports have been received that Menachem Beigin, Commander of IZL, has ordered his followers to orient themselves toward Russian recognition of [and?] Russian support of Jewish State, no concrete evidence is available to substantiate report.
Regarding future real possibility exists that IZL and Stern will prove of increasing embarrassment to Israel authorities both in Israel and Jerusalem and that they will attempt thwart any attempt to settle present impasse in reasonable way. Russia can be expected to increase influence in Stern gang and make efforts penetrate.
Sent Department 963, repeated Haifa 76.
Department pass Arab capitals, London and Moscow.
- Neither printed; the latter message and telegram 174 of the following day reported that the Altalena, a vessel controlled by the Irgun Zvai Leumi had attempted to land at Nathanya near Tel Aviv on the morning of June 22 in order to disembark some 600–1,000 armed Jews and possibly arms and munitions. Haganah forces shelled the vessel, causing it to burn, turned over its passengers to United Nations officials, and arrested about 700 IZL members ashore (867N.01/6–2248, 6–2348).↩