McDonald Asks Permission to Attend Israeli Government Inauguration

James McDonald, who would become the first U.S. Ambassador to Israel in March 1949, wrote to the president and secretary of state requesting permission to attend the inaugural ceremony of Israel’s constituent assembly in Jerusalem and suggested the president send greetings to President Weizmann and the Jewish people. Note he also wanted to ensure there is no mistaking his appearance with a change in U.S. policy toward Jerusalem.