7FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1949, VOLUME VI


and this not fair or acceptable. The area which Bunche delineates and
to which the Egyptians quite understandably agree is as follows.
   "From a point on the Egypt-Palestine border 5 kilometers north
 of the Rafah-El Auja road (MR087-047), southeast to Khashm, El
 Memdud (MR096-041), thence southeast to El Beha (MR108-039),
 thence southwest intersecting the Egypt-Palestine border at a point
 5 kilometers southeast of the intersection of the old railway track and
 the Egypt-Palestine border (MR099.5-014.5), thence returning north-
 west along the Egypt-Palestine border to the border to the point of
 origin."
   *Shertok, after receiving my memo departed attend regular Cabi-
 net meeting and I presume our representations now being considered
 by Cabinet, However, I am not at all sure, in view .Shertok's viewpoint
 and concessions already made by Israel, what result will be. Shiloah
 told Knox after Shertok left room that Rhodes negotiations, although
 difficult, were by no means terminated and he still appeared hopeful.
   In order appreciate Israeli position Knox, Military Attach6 and
 I feel that consideration must be given to Israel's basic fear of Egypt's
 relative strength. While public feared Arab Legion, General Staff
 knew real threat was large Egyptian Army which moved methodi-
 cally up coast within almost striking distance Tel Aviv attacking
 settlements en route. United Nations could not stop Egyptians and
 only Israeli Army, at grievous cost, managed stop and defeat them.
 British action and our intervention has left both armies "hanging in
 air" with Israel forces not in the best of defense positions owing
 sudden forced termination action. Egyptian forces, while defeated in
 field and in part disarmed, are largely intact and, according other
 armistice provisions, will be able return Egypt. Israeli intention de-
 stroy large arms depots at El Arish and Rafah frustrated by US-
 British intervention and thus Egyptian forces could, when safely
 across border, regroup, rearm and strike again. Israel, being unsure
 that UN-can restrain Egypt in future any more effectively than in
 past, ma~y be unwilling abandon its present defense positions in wide
 area demanded by Bunche.
                                                       McDONALD
867N.01/2-749: Telegram
           Mr. Wells Stabler to the Secroetary of State

SECRET                          AimAN, February 7, 1949-7 p. m.
  53. During long talks this afternoon King reviewed his relations
with Jews prior and subsequent to end of mandate and said his prin-
cipal desire now as before was to reach understanding with them on
Palestine question. Still felt it was to Jews' advantage to have only


732