Administration Alarmed by Israeli Settlement
Plans
(April 8, 1968)
In this document Secretary of State Dean Rusk raises
concerns about reports that Israel plans to build settlements in the territories it conquered in the Six-Day
War and wants American diplomats in Tel
Aviv to relay American opposition to the idea.
SUBJECT Israeli Settlements in Occupied Territories
We have noted press and posts' reporting that the GOI
is under increasing pressure to authorize and facilitate the establishment
of civilian settlements in the occupied areas. Existing settlements
in the Golan Heights, Sinai, and at Etzion were justified by the GOI
as para-military encampments serving security purposes.
Recent reports (Tel Avi A-716) indicate that these
settlements are taking on aspects of permanent, civilian, kibbutz-like
operations and some are, in fact, civilian kibbutzim with Nahal covers.
Thus far, we have no information on the establishment of settlements
by the 17 groups which Prime Minister Eshkol announced in the Knesset
February 26 he had approved. While there was no suggestion in his statement
that these groups would be associated with Nahal, we note that the groups
filed applications with the GOI and it seems probable they are non-Nahal.
Although we have expressed our views to the Foreign
Ministry and are confident there can be little doubt among GOI leaders
as to our continuing opposition to any Israeli settlements in the occupied
areas, we believe it would be timely and useful for the Embassy to restate
in strongest terms the US position on this question.
You should refer to Prime Minister Eshkol's Knesset
statement and our awareness of internal Israeli pressures for settling
civilians in occupied areas. The GOI is aware of our continuing concern
that nothing be done in the occupied areas which might prejudice the
search for a peace settlement. By setting up civilian or quasi-civilian
outposts in the occupied areas the GOI adds serious complications to
the eventual task of drawing up a peace settlement. Further, the transfer
of civilians to occupied areas, whether or not in settlements which
are under military control, is contrary to Article 49 of the Geneva
Convention, which states "The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer
parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies."
Finally, you should emphasize that no matter what rationale
or explanation is put forward by the GOI, the establishment of civilian
settlements in the occupied areas creates the strong appearance that
Israel, contrary to the principle set forth in the UNSC Resolution and
to US policy expressed in the President's speech of June 19, does not
intend to reach a settlement involving withdrawal from those areas.
Rusk
Sources: Foreign
Relations of the United States, 1964-1968, V. 20, Arab-Israeli Dispute
1967-1968. DC: GPO,
2001. |