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within the boundaries of the Jewish State, for defending that area against external
aggression, and for discharging the obligations of the Jewish State to the other
nations of the world in accordance with international law.
C onsidering all the difficulties, the chances for an equitable adjustment of
Arab and Jewish relationships are not unfavourable. What is required now is an
end to the seeking of new solutions which invariably have retarded rather than
encouraged a final settlement.
It is for these reasons that I deeply hope that the United States, which under
your leadership has done so much to find a just solution, will promptly recognize
the Provisional Government of the new Jewish State. The world, I think, will
regard it as especially appropriate that the greatest living democracy should be
the first to welcome the newest into the family of nations.
Respectfully yours,
C HAIM WEIZMANN
On the fourteenth of May the President and his advisers were in constant consultation
on the Palestine issue. The Assembly of the United Nations had neither revoked nor
reaffirmed its resolution of November 29. In Palestine the British Mandate had only a
few more hours to run. On the same day a historic assembly of the representatives of the
Yishuv was convoked in Tel Aviv, and proclaimed to the world the rightful independence
of the Jewish State, to take effect as of the hour of the termination of the British Mandate.
A t a few minutes past six o'clock, American time, unofficial news reached Lake Success
that the Jewish State had been recognized by the Government of the United States. The
delegates were incredulous, which perhaps was natural at a time when many wild rumours
were running throughout the corridors of the United Nations building. The United States
delegation was unaware of any such decision. Finally, after much confusion, Professor
Jessup rose to read the following statement issued from the White House:
This Government has been informed that a Jewish State has been proclaimed in
Palestine, and recognition has been requested by the Provisional Government itself. The
United States recognizes the Provisional Government as the de facto authority of the new
State of Israel.
T his historic statement must be regarded not only as an act of high statesmanship; it
had a peculiar and significant fitness, for it set the seal on America's long and generous
record of support of Zionist aspirations.
On May 15 a great wave of rejoicing spread throughout the Jewish world. We were
not unmindful of the dangers which hung over the new-born State. Five Arab armies
were at its frontiers, threatening invasion; our forces were not yet properly organized; we
were cut off from international support. But the die was cast. The demoralizing illusions
of trusteeship and truce were behind us. We were face to face with the basic realities,
Other Perspectives 207
aggression, and for discharging the obligations of the Jewish State to the other
nations of the world in accordance with international law.
C onsidering all the difficulties, the chances for an equitable adjustment of
Arab and Jewish relationships are not unfavourable. What is required now is an
end to the seeking of new solutions which invariably have retarded rather than
encouraged a final settlement.
It is for these reasons that I deeply hope that the United States, which under
your leadership has done so much to find a just solution, will promptly recognize
the Provisional Government of the new Jewish State. The world, I think, will
regard it as especially appropriate that the greatest living democracy should be
the first to welcome the newest into the family of nations.
Respectfully yours,
C HAIM WEIZMANN
On the fourteenth of May the President and his advisers were in constant consultation
on the Palestine issue. The Assembly of the United Nations had neither revoked nor
reaffirmed its resolution of November 29. In Palestine the British Mandate had only a
few more hours to run. On the same day a historic assembly of the representatives of the
Yishuv was convoked in Tel Aviv, and proclaimed to the world the rightful independence
of the Jewish State, to take effect as of the hour of the termination of the British Mandate.
A t a few minutes past six o'clock, American time, unofficial news reached Lake Success
that the Jewish State had been recognized by the Government of the United States. The
delegates were incredulous, which perhaps was natural at a time when many wild rumours
were running throughout the corridors of the United Nations building. The United States
delegation was unaware of any such decision. Finally, after much confusion, Professor
Jessup rose to read the following statement issued from the White House:
This Government has been informed that a Jewish State has been proclaimed in
Palestine, and recognition has been requested by the Provisional Government itself. The
United States recognizes the Provisional Government as the de facto authority of the new
State of Israel.
T his historic statement must be regarded not only as an act of high statesmanship; it
had a peculiar and significant fitness, for it set the seal on America's long and generous
record of support of Zionist aspirations.
On May 15 a great wave of rejoicing spread throughout the Jewish world. We were
not unmindful of the dangers which hung over the new-born State. Five Arab armies
were at its frontiers, threatening invasion; our forces were not yet properly organized; we
were cut off from international support. But the die was cast. The demoralizing illusions
of trusteeship and truce were behind us. We were face to face with the basic realities,
Other Perspectives 207
