Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The Near and Middle East, Volume IX, Part 1

784A.5/7–3054: Telegram

No. 847
The Chargé in Israel (Russell) to the Department of State

confidential

Tel Aviv, July 30, 1954—6 p.m.

108. At meeting with Sharett this morning Hakirya, Tel Aviv, I made points contained Embtels 91¹ and 95² with qualifications of Deptel 46.³

Sharett said: Israel relies exclusively on its arms because it has to, because we are leaving Israel calculatedly in the lurch. US giving arms to Egypt and oral assurances to Israel. US talks about requirements of free world and deals with Arabs as members of it but it treats Israel as though not part of it. Even US requires alliances and pledges to supplement its armed forces—Israel has none. It is in gloomy and unrelieved isolation. Talk of aggression by Israel is insulting. Israel’s lack of aggression is result of IG statesmanship; “talk of aggression” by Israel public is result of present US policies.

Sharett said he is making statement to Knesset next week on Suez development; felt our discussion of problem most useful; wishes continue it at early date.⁴

Russell

1. Document 844.
2. See footnote 3, ibid.
3. Document 845.

4. Russell reported further on July 30 that at the meeting with Sharett that morning he conveyed all points of the Department’s telegram 41, Document 843, concerning recommencement of construction in the demilitarized zone at Banat Yaacov:

   “Sharett said he felt tone of US request was threatening. Johnston, when here, had only asked that construction be deferred during period of his visit to area. Sharett said IG is entitled to resume construction and it must be left to its judgment as to whether and when.

   “I told Sharett there was possibility Johnston would be returning on Jordan valley project within two or three months and considerations that made it undesirable resume construction when he was here equally applicable now.” (Telegram 109 from Tel Aviv, July 30, 5 p.m.; 683.84A322/7–3054)