1948 Arab-Israel War

Israeli Government communique to Brig Gen. William Riley, regarding resumption of fighting in Negev, December 23, 1948

“For the past two weeks the Israeli Government has been watching with great concern the steady deterioration of prospects for peace with Egypt. Following a visit to the Middle East early in December by U.N. mediator Ralph J. Bunche who felt that there was a good chance to secure agreement on the part of the Egyptian Government for the initiation of armistice talks in accordance with the resolution adopted by the U.N. Security Council, the Government of Israel was prepared, as a taken of good will, to order that a start be made in the evacuation of the Egyptian forces stationed at Faluja.

“Communication to this effect was made to Bunche on Dec. 9. Now the Israeli Government understands that the Government of Egypt changed its mind and is not willing to take any practical steps in the direction of peace. Egypt appears to be pinning itself to a single clause in the Security Council resolution in order to undo the main purpose which the Council had in mind, namely the conclusion of an armistice as a first step towards peace.

“As the Egyptian Government has done nothing to indicate its desire to achieve a peaceful settlement, the Government of Israel feels bound to reserve its freedom of action with a view to defending its territory and hastening the conclusion of the war.”

George Barnes, Press Officer for Acting Mediator Dr Ralph Bunche, says a delegation  yesterday submitted a memorandum in Amman asserting they were representatives of Palestine’s Arabs who favoured “Abdullah’s rule over the Arab part of Palestine” 

They asked Dr Bunche to remember there is “already too much outside interference in Palestine’s affairs” and to consider their best interests.

[6 Dec 48]

Einstein, Others, Denounce Menachem Begin

TO THE EDITORS OF THE NEW YORK TIMES:

Among the most disturbing political phenomena of our times is the emergence in the newly created state of Israel of the “Freedom Party” (Tnuat HaHerut), a political party closely akin in its organization, methods, political philosophy and social appeal to the Nazi and Fascist parties. It was formed out of the membership and following of the former Irgun Zvai Leumi, a terrorist, right-wing, chauvinist organization in Palestine.

The current visit of Menachem Begin, leader of this party, to the United States is obviously calculated to give the impression of American support for his party in the coming Israeli elections, and to cement political ties with conservative Zionist elements in the United States. Several Americans of national repute have lent their names to welcome his visit. It is inconceivable that those who oppose fascism throughout the world, if correctly informed as to Mr. Begin’s political record and perspectives, could add their names and support to the movement he represents.

Before irreparable damage is done by way of financial contributions, public manifestations in Begin’s behalf, and the creation in Palestine of the impression that a large segment of America supports Fascist elements in Israel, the American public must be informed as to the record and objectives of Mr. Begin and his movement.

The public avowals of Begin’s party are no guide whatever to its actual character. Today they speak of freedom, democracy and anti-imperialism, whereas until recently they openly preached the doctrine of the Fascist state. It is in its actions that the terrorist party betrays its real character; from its past actions we can judge what it may be expected to do in the future.

Attack on Arab Village

A shocking example was their behavior in the Arab village of Deir Yassin. This village, off the main roads and surrounded by Jewish lands, had taken no part in the war, and had even fought off Arab bands who wanted to use the village as their base. On April 9 (THE NEW YORK TIMES), terrorist bands attacked this peaceful village, which was not a military objective in the fighting, killed most of its inhabitants — 240 men, women, and children; and kept a few of them alive to parade as captives through the streets of Jerusalem. Most of the Jewish community was horrified at the deed, and the Jewish Agency sent a telegram of apology to King Abdullah of Trans-Jordan. But the terrorists, far from being ashamed of their act, were proud of this massacre, publicized it widely, and invited all the foreign correspondents present in the country to view the heaped corpses and the general havoc at Deir Yassin.

The Deir Yassin incident exemplifies the character and actions of the Freedom Party.

Within the Jewish community they have preached an admixture of ultranationalism, religious mysticism, and racial superiority. Like other Fascist parties they have been used to break strikes, and have themselves pressed for the destruction of free trade unions. In their stead they have proposed corporate unions on the Italian Fascist model. During the last years of sporadic anti-British violence, the IZL and Stern groups inaugurated a reign of terror in the Palestine Jewish community. Teachers were beaten up for speaking against them, adults were shot for not letting their children join them. By gangster methods, beatings, window-smashing, and wide-spread robberies, the terrorists intimidated the population and exacted a heavy tribute. The people of the Freedom Party have had no part in the constructive achievements in Palestine. They have reclaimed no land, built no settlements, and only detracted from the Jewish defense activity. Their much-publicized immigration endeavors were minute, and devoted mainly to bringing in Fascist compatriots.

Discrepancies Seen

The discrepancies between the bold claims now being made by Begin and his party, and their record of past performance in Palestine bear the imprint of no ordinary political party. This is the unmistakable stamp of a Fascist party for whom terrorism (against Jews, Arabs, and British alike), and misrepresentation are means, and a “Leader State” is the goal.

In the light of the foregoing considerations, it is imperative that the truth about Mr. Begin and his movement be made known in this country. It is all the more tragic that the top leadership of American Zionism has refused to campaign against Begin’s efforts, or even to expose to its own constituents the dangers to Israel from support to Begin. The undersigned therefore take this means of publicly presenting a few salient facts concerning Begin and his party; and of urging all concerned not to support this latest manifestation of fascism.

(signed) ISIDORE ABRAMOWITZ, HANNAH ARENDT, ABRAHAM BRICK, RABBI JESSURUN CARDOZO, ALBERT EINSTEIN, HERMAN EISEN, M.D., HAYIM FINEMAN, M. GALLEN, M.D., H.H. HARRIS, ZELIG S. HARRIS, SIDNEY HOOK, FRED KARUSH, BRURIA KAUFMAN, IRMA L. LINDHEIM, NACHMAN MAISEL, SEYMOUR MELMAN, MYER D. MENDELSON, M.D., HARRY M. OSLINSKY, SAMUEL PITLICK, FRITZ ROHRLICH, LOUIS P. ROCKER, RUTH SAGIS, ITZHAK SANKOWSKY, I.J. SHOENBERG, SAMUEL SHUMAN, M. SINGER, IRMA WOLFE, STEFAN WOLFE

Dec. 2, 1948

Letter to Editor, New York Times, December 4, 1948

Distr.
UNRESTRICTED

S/1093
29 November 1948

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

On May 14 1948, the independence of the State of Israel was proclaimed by the National Council of the Jewish people in Palestine by virtue of the natural and historic right of the Jewish people to independence in its own sovereign State and in pursuance of the General Assembly resolution of November 29, 1947. Since that date Israel has been consolidated administratively and defended itself successfully against the aggression of neighbouring States. It has so far achieved recognition by nineteen Powers.

On behalf of the Provisional Government of Israel, I have now the honour to request the admission of Israel as a Member of the United Nations in accordance with Article 4 of the Charter.

In view of the special nature of this application I would request that its consideration should proceed without regard to the deadlines fixed by rule 60, paragraphs 1-4, but in conformity with paragraph 5 of the same rule 60 of the provisional rules of procedure of the Security Council.

A formal declaration that the Government of Israel accepts all the obligations stipulated in the United Nations Charter is enclosed.

My Government submits that Israel’s admission to the United Nations will constitute an act of international justice to the Jewish people, fully consistent with United Nations policy on Palestine, and will contribute to the stabilization of the Middle East and to the cause of international peace.

Source: UNISPAL

ORDER OF THE DAY, 25 November 1948

Order of the Day, Moshe Carmel, Commander, Givati Brigade, OC Northern Front

“Our brilliant victory ..in the Galilee was marred as some soldiers allowed themselves a shameful outburst by looting and condemnable crimes against the Arab population after its surrender…. Ill-treatment of the inhabitants, murder and robbery - are not a military activity or acts of courage. They are a disgrace to our army…The perpetrators of these crimes during the operation and in its wake are standing trial and will be punished….[but] it has come to my attention that even now such displays of unrestrained behaviour have not completely ceased. These acts must cease immediately, and will all severity [sic]. Anyone caught committing another crime will be tried immediately and will be most severely punished.”

“I ask the commanders and troops in Northern Front to help stamp out this corruption.  Whoever covers for the criminal - is an accomplice in the crime and he too will not be cleared of responsibility….Honour to the loyal and liberating Hebrew fighter, respect for the pure, defending and crushing Hebrew arms.”

IDFA 437/49/84, Carmel, “Order of the Day” 25 November 1948

TERRORIST GROUP ARRESTED IN CAIRO

Police Action Against Members of Moslem Brotherhood Is Said to Solve Outrages

By DANA ADAMS SCHMIDT

CAIRO — Egyptian police have arrested thirty members of the largest terrorist organization in Egypt and have solved the mystery of a series of bombings, political assassinations and attempted assassinations, authoritative quarters disclosed today.

These quarters announced tonight that men arrested in a jeep loaded with explosives last Monday were members of the Moslem Brotherhood, militant Moslem nationalist movement. Others, arrested in the house of one of the passengers in the jeep, also belonged to the Brotherhood.

Explosives, sufficient, according to the newspaper Al Zaman, “to blow up a whole quarter of Cairo”, have been confiscated. In house searches accompanying the arrests, police found documents, maps and drawings indicating the plans for further assassinations and for the bombing of department stores and foreign and Egyptian institutions in Cairo and Alexandria.

It was stated that documents found in the jeep led to the discovery of “very huge amounts of explosives in other places”. The condition of the high explosives indicated that they were being used for “large-scale acts of destruction”.

The jeep itself contained “large amounts of explosive materials, fuses, dozens of various kinds of mines, time-bomb detonators, a machine gun, a large number of revolvers and tommy guns, daggers, ammunition, a mask, leaflets and secret instructions and documents referring to previous explosions as well as others in preparation”.

According to the authoritative account, a detective approached the jeep on Monday afternoon. It lacked a number plate and was parked in front of a house in the Waili sector of the Abbasia district. It contained closed cases and filled sacks.

As soon as they saw the detective, the jeep’s passengers fled. The detective, with a fireman and a passerby, gave chase and caught several of them.

The Prosecutor General’s office is continuing the investigation.

The Brotherhood was headed by Hassan El Bana, its “Supreme Guide”, who recently had made a pilgrimage to Mecca. It is considered to be a powerful extremist organization, combining religion with nationalist appeals. Founded twenty years ago by El Bana, a former school teacher, it now claims 1,000,000 members in Egypt and many more in Arab and Moslem countries.

Leaflets and other papers found show that the persons involved were motivated by the belief that the individuals and the organizations they attacked and planned to attack had connections with Zionists.

The following list of outrages was attributed to the terrorist organization: the explosion outside the house of Mustapha El Nahas, president of the WAFD, early in the year; the attempted bombing of the Sudan Agency; bombing of department stores of Ades, Ben Zion, Gettegno, the Delta Land Company and the Société Orientale de Publicité and the most recent tommy-gun attempt on the life of Nahas Pasha.

Saleh Ashmawi, editor in chief of the Moslem Brotherhood`s daily newspaper, declared late tonight that none of the men arrested were really members of the Brotherhood and that the charges levelled against the organization were a frame-up.

After meeting with British Prime Minister Attlee on 15 November, Ambassador Douglas wires Under Secretary of State Robert Lovett two days later:

“While the British JCS (Joint Chief of Staff) hopes [Israel] will be friendly it has concluded that it would be unsafe to rely on upon [Israel] to give British Air installations in the Negev with free access”  

[17 Nov 48]