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It is my opinion that truce talks for all of Palestine have only a very slight chance
of success. Our efforts to maintain a "cease-fire" in Jerusalem may succeed for a time.
Each side is already accusing the other of breaking the "cease-fire". The Arabs say that
by sending Jewish troops to clear the Tel-Aviv road, the Jews did so. The Jews accuse the
Arabs of sniping. The Truce Commission will do its best to maintain the uneasy "cease-
fire" while discussing terms for a truce in Jerusalem.
M ay 13, 1pm – Secret
R ecent successes of the Hagana forces have given the Jews new hope and courage. The
proclamation of the Jewish state following the termination of the mandate is awaited by the
Yishuv [the Jewish community in Palestine] with the greatest excitement and jubilation.
The Jewish national administration which is already functioning in wholly Jewish areas
and partly in Jerusalem will become the government of new Jewish state. So far, with the
exception of the Irgun attack on Jaffa and the Hagana occupation of certain areas on the
Jerusalem-Tel Aviv road, the Jews have strictly observed the territorial limits imposed by
the UN resolution of 29 November. However speculation is rife as to whether their new-
found strength may not encourage Jews to attempt to acquire more territory. The Jewish
Agency spokesman, when asked by an (AP?) correspondent whether the Jewish Agency
would regard the invasion of Palestine by Arab Armies as releasing the Agency from the
obligations of the 29 November resolution, replied that Ben Gurion had always said that
the main aim of the Jews was to get all of Palestine. Jewish Agency officials have steadfastly
maintained their intention to remain within the UN boundaries and the Consulate
General has seen no particular indication up to the present that they have changed their
plans. Most observers believe that the Jews are winning the first round, at least, of their
battle, and will desire to consolidate their positions.
A rab opposition to the Jews in the towns has completely disintegrated. Haifa is under
Jewish domination; Jaffa is deserted and has been declared an "open city"; and the Arabs
have been given a much-needed breather by the cease-fire. It is not believed that the
Jerusalem Arabs would be able to present much opposition to the Jews if the latter decided
to occupy the city. Most of the representative Arabs have fled to neighboring countries,
and Arabs of authority are found only after most diligent searching. Consequently, truce
and cease-fire talks are greatly hampered and slowed down. It is possible that the Arabs do
not wish to be placed in the difficult position of having to make definite decisions which
would be a public admission of the fact that the Jews have the upper hand. Perhaps they
hope that events will decide the future course of policy. We believe that the Arab Legion
and possibly other Arab armies will march into Arab areas of Palestine after termination
of the Mandate but will not risk a major operation with the Jews. The existence of informal
arrangements between the Jews and Abdullah should not be overlooked. Abdullah's desire
for additional territory and a lucrative neighbor, as well as his present strong position with
fellow rulers, may make such an agreement possible to execute.
Other Perspectives 223
of success. Our efforts to maintain a "cease-fire" in Jerusalem may succeed for a time.
Each side is already accusing the other of breaking the "cease-fire". The Arabs say that
by sending Jewish troops to clear the Tel-Aviv road, the Jews did so. The Jews accuse the
Arabs of sniping. The Truce Commission will do its best to maintain the uneasy "cease-
fire" while discussing terms for a truce in Jerusalem.
M ay 13, 1pm – Secret
R ecent successes of the Hagana forces have given the Jews new hope and courage. The
proclamation of the Jewish state following the termination of the mandate is awaited by the
Yishuv [the Jewish community in Palestine] with the greatest excitement and jubilation.
The Jewish national administration which is already functioning in wholly Jewish areas
and partly in Jerusalem will become the government of new Jewish state. So far, with the
exception of the Irgun attack on Jaffa and the Hagana occupation of certain areas on the
Jerusalem-Tel Aviv road, the Jews have strictly observed the territorial limits imposed by
the UN resolution of 29 November. However speculation is rife as to whether their new-
found strength may not encourage Jews to attempt to acquire more territory. The Jewish
Agency spokesman, when asked by an (AP?) correspondent whether the Jewish Agency
would regard the invasion of Palestine by Arab Armies as releasing the Agency from the
obligations of the 29 November resolution, replied that Ben Gurion had always said that
the main aim of the Jews was to get all of Palestine. Jewish Agency officials have steadfastly
maintained their intention to remain within the UN boundaries and the Consulate
General has seen no particular indication up to the present that they have changed their
plans. Most observers believe that the Jews are winning the first round, at least, of their
battle, and will desire to consolidate their positions.
A rab opposition to the Jews in the towns has completely disintegrated. Haifa is under
Jewish domination; Jaffa is deserted and has been declared an "open city"; and the Arabs
have been given a much-needed breather by the cease-fire. It is not believed that the
Jerusalem Arabs would be able to present much opposition to the Jews if the latter decided
to occupy the city. Most of the representative Arabs have fled to neighboring countries,
and Arabs of authority are found only after most diligent searching. Consequently, truce
and cease-fire talks are greatly hampered and slowed down. It is possible that the Arabs do
not wish to be placed in the difficult position of having to make definite decisions which
would be a public admission of the fact that the Jews have the upper hand. Perhaps they
hope that events will decide the future course of policy. We believe that the Arab Legion
and possibly other Arab armies will march into Arab areas of Palestine after termination
of the Mandate but will not risk a major operation with the Jews. The existence of informal
arrangements between the Jews and Abdullah should not be overlooked. Abdullah's desire
for additional territory and a lucrative neighbor, as well as his present strong position with
fellow rulers, may make such an agreement possible to execute.
Other Perspectives 223
