426. Letter From the Ambassador in Lebanon (Heath) to the Secretary of State1
Dear Mr. Secretary: I devoted a good portion of my eight days recent consultation in Washington to discussing the Palestinian refugee question, which I regard as the key to the Arab-Israeli problem.
I was heartened to find in the Department nearly complete agreement with my view that we should promptly take this problem up in friendly but firm fashion with the Israeli Government. As you and I rode over to the White House to see the President on December 5th,2 you observed that you thought the Israelis might be told we would have to hold up consideration of their requests for loans and grants until we are certain these would contribute to solving the refugee problem.
I hope very earnestly that that will be our attitude and that no further time will be lost in presenting strongly to Ben Gurion the moral duty of and the great advantage to Israel of initiating prompt, sincere and just action toward the refugees. It is impossible at the present time to get the Arab Governments to negotiate a general settlement with [Page 860] Israel, but if Israel begins offering the refugees the choice between repatriation (it could only be gradual) or just indemnification, the poison and hatred will begin to disappear and the Arab Governments will lose any real justification for their intransigent stand toward peace with Israel.
With admiration of your great efforts, and with every good wish for Mrs. Dulles and yourself during the New Year, I am
Faithfully yours,