32. Letter From Secretary of State Dulles to Prime Minister Ben Gurion1
Dear Mr. Prime Minister: As you have heard directly from the President,2 he has discussed with me [11/2 lines of source text not declassified]. The heart of the matter, as we see it, is the urgent necessity to strengthen the bulwarks of international order and justice against the forces of lawlessness and destruction which currently are at work in the Middle East. We have been glad that Israel shares this purpose, as [Page 78] illustrated by your deeply appreciated acquiescence in the use of Israel airspace by United States and UK aircraft in their mission in support of Jordan.
There are those who say that we must seek to reach an accommodation with Arab nationalism in the radical form represented by President Nasser’s movement. If by this is meant that we must agree to policies of assassination and murder, and to the destruction of the integrity of sovereign states through indirect aggression abetted from outside, I most certainly cannot concur. On the other hand, as I am sure you would agree, it is neither possible nor desirable to oppose genuine nationalist aspirations. The United States record in favoring independence for the Arab states clearly reveals that we have favored legitimate Arab nationalist goals. We have not attempted to stand in their way. However, legitimate nationalist goals and the winning of them by peaceful means are one thing. Indirect aggression, and attempts by a larger state to force its will upon a smaller one, all in the name of nationalism, are quite another. Our action in Lebanon, and that of the British in Jordan, was taken in defense of the principles of international law and justice, the current spreading violation of which in the name of nationalism could, if unchecked, bring anarchy to the Middle East.
You are right in saying that American troops in Lebanon and British forces in Jordan cannot in the long run preserve the independence of those countries. They can, however, give pause to the expansionism of aggressive forces and give the world community an opportunity to take further steps designed to preserve the independence of free nations.
In the long run, the factor essential to the preservation of the independence of nations is the determination of the nations themselves to remain free. The world is well aware that Israel has this determination. The United States has been happy to encourage Israel in its efforts to stand on its own feet [10 lines of source text not declassified].
Like Israel, we are deeply interested in strengthening the security of the nations in the Middle East which are determined to resist the expansionist forces at work in the area. You are aware of the action taken by the United States in London to strengthen its relationship with Turkey, Iran and Pakistan. Out of this action will flow increased United States contributions to the security needs of those countries.
With regard to Israel’s security, the President has already written to you of the implications for Israel of our action in Lebanon. We believe that Israel should be in a position to deter an attempt at aggression by indigenous forces, and are prepared to examine the military implications of this problem with an open mind.
[Page 79]I share your belief that the Soviet Union does not desire a general war at this time. I also agree with you that no one should allow Soviet public maneuvers to deceive him into thinking that the principles of Soviet and International Communist policy have changed. In the face of the constant Soviet Communist threat the only recourse is for the Free World to make every effort to strengthen itself against aggression, both direct and indirect. The critical situation in the Middle East today gives Israel manifold opportunities to contribute, from its resources of spiritual strength and determination of purpose, to a stable international order.
[ 1 paragraph (2 lines of source text) not declassified]
Sincerely yours,
- Source: Department of State, Conference Files, Lot 64 D 559, CF 1613. Top Secret; Limit Distribution. Transmitted to Tel Aviv in telegram 108, August 1, which is the source text, for delivery personally to the Prime Minister.↩
- See footnote 2, supra.↩
- Telegram 108 bears this typed signature.↩