800.413/8–351: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Israel 1
105. For Ambassador only. White House under pressure send message2 to World Zionist Congress Jerusalem,3 but not disposed to do so because (1) private org (2) mtg outside US and (3) severe and unnecessary polit repercussions flowing from this act in Arab states. Such message might well retard Israel progress toward peace with Arabs. Dept presumes messages also being sought from UK, Fr and other govts. If this is case, Dept hopes it may be possible for you to act in concert with your colleagues, but in any event you shld send short innocuous message to Benj. Browdie, Pres., Amer Zionist Organization, over your signature in your capacity as Amer Amb but not on behalf White House or USG. Such message might relieve pressure here.
Urtel 108 Aug 24 just recd. In light sit reftel wld message from you involve complications?
- Drafted by Messrs. G. L. Jones and Waldo; cleared with Mr. Hassett at the White House.↩
- The source text bears the following notation: “Mr. Hassett wishes Amb Davis to send some sort of msg.”↩
- The 23d World Zionist Congress met in Jerusalem from August 14 through August 30. Ambassador Davis had reported on July 31 that after consultation with his British and French colleagues in Tel Aviv, he spoke to the Chief of the American Section of the Israeli Foreign Office on the subject of invitations to the forthcoming Congress, suggesting that invitations to the opening session be extended to include consular representatives in Jerusalem, but not members of the diplomatic corps in Tel Aviv. (Telegram 104 from Tel Aviv, not printed, 800.413/7–3151)↩
- Telegram 108 from Tel Aviv, August 2, not printed, reported that the Jewish Agency had decided not to invite the Tel Aviv diplomatic corps to the Congress (800.413/8–251).↩