Office of the Historian

501.BB Palestine/7–948: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

top secret
us urgent
London, July 9, 1948—4 p. m.

3081. On Bevin’s personal instructions further telegram along following lines will be despatched by Foreign Office this afternoon to all Arab capitals including Amman. Begin summary:

1.
You should again impress on government to which you are accredited grave danger to Arabs if they persist in refusing SC appeals for extension truce, particularly in view of the fact Jews have accepted extension. In circumstances SC bound consider action under Chapter 7 Charter against Arab states and in that even HMG can do little or nothing for Arabs.
2.
Fact that decision Arab League political committee was taken before July 7 SC resolution was available makes latter bridge over which Arab leaders should be able to retreat without loss prestige.
3.
HMG is prepared to make further effort to facilitate withdrawal Arab League from dangerous position in which it has placed itself. HMG has noted that Arabs have based themselves on benefits truce to Jewish military potential. Consequently HMG has instructed UKUN to try to get SC to resolve upon truce extension in order to give time for Mediator to report on truce operations and accusations made by both sides. Thus if Arabs would agree to brief extension they would have chance to explain to SC their grounds for believing truce one-sided in its effects and propose if they so desire modification truce terms.
4.
HMG does not know at what stage UKUN can do this, but action in SC must necessarily depend to some extent on readiness Arab governments to cooperate with efforts HMG is making to save them from consequences of their own hasty decision. End summary.
Douglas