Letter Introducing Feldman to Israeli PM
Ben-Gurion
(August 15, 1962)
Letter from President Kennedy to Prime Minister Ben-Gurion introducing Myer Feldman as the President's emissary to discuss the
Johnson Plan.
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
I take considerable pleasure in our recent exchange
of letters. I am confident you share my view that not only have the
mutual interests of Israel and the United States been advanced but that
in these matters we have achieved a high degree of understanding and
confidence.
I have noted of late with deep satisfaction that Israel's
frontiers have been calmer and that the disturbing rash of incidents
of the spring and early summer has been largely dissipated. It is a
hopeful sign that both Syria and Jordan have given the United States
categorical assurances that they wish to avoid trouble on their borders
with Israel and to cooperate fully with the United Nations instruments.
If means can be found to perpetuate these Arab resolves, and in light
of your assurances to me, a significant step will have been taken toward
the permanent peace we all seek.
As you know, Mr. Prime Minister, the Department of
State and members of my staff have been reviewing intensively certain
matters that are of prime importance to Israel's security and well-being
as well as to the improvement in the atmosphere in the Near East and
in prospects for peace. I refer to Israel's requests for a security
guarantee and for the Hawk missile, and to the mission of Dr. Joseph
E. Johnson as Special Representative of the Conciliation Commission
for Palestine. I have now examined these questions. It is my conclusion
that they are of such significance, and the time factor is of such urgency,
as to justify dispatching a special emissary in the next day or two
to discuss them with you in the necessarily detailed manner impossible
in the form of letters.
I have therefore requested Mr. Myer Feldman, my Special
Assistant, to prepare to fly to Israel, without publicity, in order
to acquaint you privately and in confidence with our viewpoints, to
learn your thinking, and to seek to find, with you, the bases for an
understanding. Mr. Feldman has my complete confidence and is fully knowledgeable
of my thinking. I shall be most appreciative therefore if you will explore
these matters with him. I am convinced that our mutual interests will
be well served by achievement of an understanding. I hope to hear from
you shortly of your willingness to receive Mr. Feldman.
I know of your concern, and that of the people of Israel,
that the security and economic stability of Israel not be endangered
in the process of resolving the Arab refugee problem. I wish to assure
you that the United States Government will use its influence only in
support of those proposals which do not involve serious risks for Israel.
Sincerely,
John F. Kennedy
Sources: Foreign
Relations of the United States, 1961-1963: Near East, 1962-1963,
V. XVIII. DC: GPO,
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