Stalin, Soviets and İsraeli Question - then and now - 4

Stalin, Soviets and İsraeli Question - then and now.

Download PDF - Chronologically organized

NOTE OF THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE USSR VMMOLOTOV TO THE GENERAL SECRETARY. CC VKP (b), CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE USSR I.V. STALIN

October 20, 1948

Secret

In the First Committee of the General Assembly, discussion begins on Bernadotte's proposals on Palestine, which boil down to the following:

1. Bernadotte proposes replacing the existing temporary truce between the parties with an official peace or such a truce, which is accompanied by the complete withdrawal and demobilization of the armed forces or the creation of a demilitarized zone between them under UN supervision.

I consider Bernadotte's proposal unacceptable since it bypasses the issue of the withdrawal of foreign troops (Transjordan and Egypt) and proposes the demobilization of troops on the territory of the Jewish and Arab parts of Palestine.

Vyshinsky proposes to oppose this proposal of Bernadotte with our proposal, stipulated by the directives, for the immediate withdrawal from the territories of the Jewish and Arab states in Palestine of all foreign troops and foreign military personnel.

I propose to agree with Vyshinsky and give him additional instructions - to support the proposal to establish an official peace between the Arab and Jewish states, the creation of which is envisaged by the decision of the General Assembly on November 29.

2. Bernadotte proposes the transfer of Nerev to the Arabs, and the Western Galilee to the Jews and the transfer of the fate of the Arab part of Palestine to the Arab states. At the same time, the arguments in favor of the merger of the Arab part of Palestine with Transjordan must be taken into account.

Vyshinsky considers it necessary to object to these proposals, since they revise the decision of the General Assembly of November 29, 1947, giving away four-fifths of the entire territory of Israel (Nerev) Transjordan, i.e. under the control of England, and insist on the implementation of the decision of the General Assembly.

I propose to agree with Vyshinsky.

3. Bernadotte proposes that the UN give assurances that the boundaries between the Arab and Jewish territories will be respected and changed only with the consent of the parties concerned.

Vyshinsky believes that one cannot object to this proposal of Bernadotte, but only if the boundaries established by the General Assembly resolution of November 29, 1947 will not be changed.

I propose to agree with Vyshinsky.

4. Bernadotte proposes to declare the port of Haifa, including refineries and oil pipeline terminations, a free port and Lydda airport a free airport, with unhindered access to both ports of the Arab countries concerned.

Vyshinsky reports that the Jews are inclined to agree on the issue of Haifa with the interested Arab states on the basis of reciprocity.

I propose to instruct Vyshinsky that if Jews and Arabs agree to agree on mutual concessions to Haifa and Lidda, one should not object to this.

5. Bernadotte proposes that the city of Jerusalem, within the boundaries defined by the General Assembly resolution of November 29, 1947 with unhindered access to the city by land, air and railways.

Vyshinsky proposes to include the part of the New City of Jerusalem inhabited by Jews into the Jewish state, and the part inhabited by Arabs into the Arab state and agree with the proposal of the Jews to limit the establishment of an international regime under the leadership of the UN only over the territory of the Old City. Unlike Vyshinsky's proposal, I propose to give him the following instructions: to insist on the implementation of the General Assembly resolution of November 29, 1947, i.e. to establish a regime over Jerusalem in which administrative power is exercised by the Trusteeship Council. Under this condition, one can agree to Bernadotte's proposal to provide local autonomy for the Jewish and Arab parts of the population of Jerusalem.

If in the process of discussing this issue a solution is outlined that is acceptable to both Jews and Arabs, we consider it possible to discuss such a proposal in the future.

6. Bernadotte proposes to grant Arab refugees the right to return to the territory of the Jewish state and compensation for the lost property.

Vyshinsky proposes to provide the Jews with the opportunity to agree on this issue with the Arabs during peace negotiations.

I propose to agree with Vyshinsky.

7. Bernadotte proposes to establish a Palestinian Conciliation Commission, responsible to the UN and acting on the instructions of the latter.

Vyshinsky proposes not to object to the creation of such a commission, provided that it has purely advisory and consultative functions.

I propose to agree with Vyshinsky on the condition that at least one of our friendly Eastern European states joins the conciliation commission. If the United States and Britain are to be included in the commission, it is necessary to seek the inclusion of the USSR in the commission as well.

8. In addition, Vyshinsky reports that the Jews intend to come up with a proposal to provide them with a "corridor" to connect Jerusalem with the main coastal part of the Jewish state.

Vyshinsky proposes not to object to this proposal of the Jews if other delegations speak in its favor and there are chances of its adoption.

I propose to agree with Vyshinsky.

I ask you to approve the above proposals.

V. Molotov

On the paper document: “Comrade Stalin agrees. V.M [olotov].20.X. "

AVP RF, f. 06, op. 10, p. 15, d. 161, l. 1-4.

 

LETTER FROM THE AMBASSADOR OF THE USSR IN ISRAEL P. IERSHOV TO DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE USSR V.A. ZORIN

October 20, 1948

Secret

Israel has a League of Friendly Relations with the USSR, which was created in 1946 on the basis of the previously existing "Vi" League of assistance to the Soviet Union. The League's program notes that its main goal is to strengthen friendly relations between the Soviet Union and Palestine. The league is headed by a central committee composed of party representation. This circumstance complicates the work of the League since party disagreements of a different nature are transferred to it. There are constant disputes about who will lead the planned event, who will make a report at any solemn meeting, etc. This principle made it possible for the right-wing elements, i.e. the Mapai Party, to win a dominant position in the League.

Some members of the United Workers' Party, such as the general secretary of the Tarnopoler League, fell under the influence of the Mapai representatives and, in fact, pursue their policy, a policy of sheer demagoguery.

The League has a number of branches in the main cities and some rural areas of the country. There are also disagreements between the Central Committee of the League, on the one hand, and the local committees of Tel Aviv and Haifa, on the other, for the same reasons.

The work of the League was limited all the time to demonstrative events (meetings, rallies). However, at present the League is planning to hold a number of specific measures: it is planned to convene a Congress of the League, at which the central committee is to be re-elected, the new charter of the League is to be approved, and so on. It is planned to publish some collections, organize an exhibition about the Soviet Union, etc.

With the arrival of the Soviet mission to Israel, among the majority the population of the country has seen a great increase in sympathy for the USSR. This gives us ample opportunities for our propaganda, for organizing all kinds of cultural events, despite the well-known opposition from the reactionary elements.

However, given the given composition of the League's leadership, it is difficult to imagine that good work can be done in this area. Therefore, we need to define our attitude towards the League and its future work. First, we can take the path of changing the composition of its leadership. This, naturally, will require a certain amount of pressure from us, indirect or direct, in the re-election of the Central Committee of the League. Secondly, it is possible to create a new "Society for Cultural Relations between Israel and the USSR", but it cannot be ruled out that the Israeli parties will not declare a boycott of this society, as a result of which we will not be able to turn it into a mass organization.

I ask for your instructions.

Appendix: Information on the League of Friendly Relations with the USSR, drawn up by the second secretary of the mission, comrade Fedorin . USSR envoy to Israel P. Ershov

On the paper document: “Comrade Bakulin. Understand and give suggestions. V. Zorin ".

AVP RF, f. 089, op. 1, p. 2, d.21, l. 7-8.

TELEGRAM OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL D. BENGURION TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE USSR I.V. STALIN

November 5, 1948

I am happy to send, on behalf of the State of Israel and on my own behalf, the best congratulations on the occasion of the anniversary of the October Revolution, which ensured national equality for the peoples of the USSR, provided work and existence for all working people, paved the way for the social and cultural progress of the urban and rural masses, created a powerful Red Army, which fulfilled an immense task in the war against the Nazi-fascist danger.

Our people will never forget the assistance rendered by the USSR to the Jews - victims of Nazism, nor the loyal support of Israel and its struggle for the freedom and independence of their historical homeland. I wish the peoples of your country, who are carrying out post-war reconstruction, economic and cultural progress, peace, and general harmony.

Ben Gurion

Chairman of the Provisional Government of the State of Israel

AVP RF, f. 48z, op. 7a, p. 4, d. 4, 11.7

Translated From Russian; Svitlana M

Continue

Gromyko November Speech