FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1949, VOLUME VI


in Palestine. It supported the Security Council resolution of May 29,
1948, calling for a cessation of hostilities for- a period of four weeks
and establishing an embargo on the imiport of arms to the Near'East.'
After expiration of this truce period,, this Government introduced a
resolution, adopted by the Security Council July 15,1948, ordering the
governments concerned to desist from   further military action and
deciding that the truce shall remain in force until a peaceful adjust-
ment of the future situation in Palestine is reached. The United States
assisted through diplomatic means the efforts of the Acting United
Nations Mediator to negotiate armistice agreements between Israel
and the Arab states; armistice agreements have now been conciuded by
Israel with Egypt, Transjordan, Lebanon, and Syria. This Govern-
ment jointly sponsored a resolution, passed by the General Assembly
on November 18, 1948, establishing a United Nations relief program
for Palestine refugees supported by voluntary contributions, as a
means of assisting United Nations efforts towards restoration of peace
in Palestine. On December 11, 1948, the General Assembly passed a
resolution establishing a Palestine Conciliation Commission, charged
with facilitating settlement of all issues outstanding between Israel
and the Arab states. The Commission, composed of representatives of
France, Turkey, and the United States, is currently engaged in efforts
to carry out its tasks of promoting a territorial settlement for Pales-
tine, formulating an international regime for Jerusalem, and seeking
a solution to the Arab refugee problem.
  6. In support of the efforts of the Conciliation Commission, the
United States has made a series of strong representations to both the
Arabs and the Israelis. This Government's approach to the Arabs has
been designed chiefly to induce them to accept the principle of sub-
stantial resettlement of refugees in the Arab states. The representa-
tions to Israel have been intended to convince it of the necessity of
accepting the principle of substantial repatriation of refugees, and the
principle of compensation to those states desiring such compensation
for any territorial acquisition which Israel expects to effect outside
the boundaries proposed in the partition resolution of November 29,
1947. The United States has warned Israel that if it continues to
reject the friendly advice offered by this Government for the purpose
of facilitating a general peace in Palestine, the United States Govern-
ment will be forced to the conclusion that a revision of its attitude
toward Israel has become unavoidable.
  7. a. Up to the present, United States relations with Israel have
been based upon our traditional support of the aspirations of the
Jewish people to obtain a national home in Palestine. In support of
this policy of sympathy and friendship towards the Jewish people,
the United States extended immediate de facto recognition to the new


143.2