Truman Informs Marshall He Will Grand De Jure Recognition to Israel

In this undated memo (likely late January 1949) President Truman informs Secretary of State George Marshall of his intention to grant de jure recognition to Israel (which he did on January 31, 1949). He notes that 14 other nations had already done so and he believed U.S. recognition would encourage more nations to do the same. He expresses the naïve view that U.S. support for Israel will “contribute toward the attainment of world peace,” declares his intention to assist Israel in gaining admission to the UN, and says he intends to offer Israel a loan to “stem the spread of Communism.”