Post by Diarist on Dec 26, 2017 8:48:57 GMT 1
I met David Ben Gurion at a restaurant and we found a table in the garden. Thomas and Orde were also invited while George is visiting the French in Tyre.
"I've been told that you were sight-seeing this week, Sir Robert."
"I was combining business with pleasure but please call me Bob. I'm off duty this evening."
"Then I insist that you call me David. I have that list of names you gave me. Four of the names matched our records here. Are they friends of yours?"
"No, they are former colleagues or maybe friends of my father-in-law from his time in Berlin. He left for England in 1930."
"A wise move. Does he have any intentions of returning now that Hitler is gone?"
"We haven't discussed it but I doubt it very much. My wife was hoping that I might be transferred to Germany but I hope that she has accepted that I don't want to work there. My future is in the Ministry of Defence and my plans require me to remain in London."
"Bob is toying with the idea of moving to Tel Aviv," Orde added.
"A very long-term consideration and one of many. Thank you, Orde. I am fond of Tel Aviv though but I can imagine that property is expensive here."
"It isn't cheap but I've been told that you can afford it. Bob, we do like to know who we are talking to."
"I expect that and I have nothing to hide. What can you tell me about Chaim Weizmann in England? I'd like to hear your version."
"There isn't much to tell. We both support the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine. Why do you ask?"
"Weizmann has enjoyed considerable influence with previous British governments but I believe that is a thing of the past. The new Baldwin/Eden/Churchill approach may change things."
"In which way?"
"That's the problem. I'm not sure but believe me things are changing rapidly, David. Today's Britain and Europe would have been unthinkable a year ago. Furthermore I believe that the demise of Hitler hasn't helped the Zionist cause in the UK or USA at all. Add to that an isolationist America and a crippled League of Nations then Stanley Baldwin may be open to a locally negotiated solution and that's where you and Emir Abdullah get involved. I would also suggest we add the Swiss Foreign Minister Giuseppe Motta. He has played an important role in Europe during the recent crises. What do you two think?" I asked Thomas and Orde.
Orde replied that he has been away from London too long but he likes the idea of a regional solution. Thomas added that the Arabs are very disunited at the moment but a British/(French) initiative in Palestine may unite them against Britain and France.
"Abdullah's pro-British stance hasn't helped his position at all," he concluded.
"The Grand Mufti will probably be deported to Syria in a few days so Abdullah is our only Arab option and Britain cannot support a wholly Jewish state in Palestine so I don't really believe that we have any alternative to what I mentioned earlier."
"So you will recommend a partition?"
"I deliberately haven't used that word, David. Let's call it a two-track solution with you and Abdullah as main candidates. Nothing will be decided overnight and I hope that you and the Emir would accept an invitation to London in the near future. Our current government likes results, David. That can be an advantage for you."
"Bob, nothing will be decided in London without a Royal Commission and that could take years. By then there will be a revived League of Nations which will want to add their decision..."
"That's what we should aim to prevent, Thomas. If David and Emir Abdullah can agree on a provisional solution until the status of Jerusalem has been decided...."
"...and that's the stumbling block. I remember the nightmare in Damascus after the Ottoman defeat but that is nothing compared to discussing the status of Jerusalem. There is no simple solution, Bob. Believe me."
"Well I believe that the days of Herbert Samuels and Lord Balfour are over. They have made no progress for almost 20 years and look at the mess in the Middle East. Baldwin and Churchill are looking for new impulses and Eden admitted that the Foreign Office has no initiative in the pipeline. The French aren't getting anywhere either. The time is ripe and what do we have to lose?"
"If I may interrupt for a moment you are talking about a two state solution and that is by definition a partition."
"Actually I am not talking about a partition because as I said in London there cannot be a peaceful partition so if you Jews and Arabs want to start a war don't expect Britain to start if for you. We have a combined Mandate of Palestine and Transjordan with a High Commissioner for Palestine and Transjordan so why don't we add David Ben Gurion and Emir Abdullah to form a Troika and let the three of you come up with a solution for Palestine and Transjordan. I'm sure that Britain would support a joint initiative and to hell with the others. I believe that Winston would definitely support that." I feel better after saying that.
Orde continued my chain of thought, "and if the others were to start a conflict we kick their ass together."
"I couldn't have phrased it better. That is how we get a Jewish Palestine and an Arabian Jordan. But officially this conversation didn't happen did it, David?"
"Officially it didn't so what did we discuss?"
"Officially I am now missing an Arab negotiating partner so I'm heading home to recommend inviting you and Emir Abdullah to London to discuss a peaceful solution for Palestine and Transjordan and I shall suggest inviting the Swiss Foreign Minister to assist General Howard."
"And the raids?" David and Orde asked.
"They'll halt unless intelligence indicates an imminent terrorist attack or more weapons being smuggled. We need a statement for the press from the High Commissioner's office. I'm meeting him here in Tel Aviv tomorrow. Could you be available if he wishes to talk, David?"
"Of course. What can I tell my colleagues?"
"The official story with no mention of a partition."
We parted shortly afterwards.
"I've been told that you were sight-seeing this week, Sir Robert."
"I was combining business with pleasure but please call me Bob. I'm off duty this evening."
"Then I insist that you call me David. I have that list of names you gave me. Four of the names matched our records here. Are they friends of yours?"
"No, they are former colleagues or maybe friends of my father-in-law from his time in Berlin. He left for England in 1930."
"A wise move. Does he have any intentions of returning now that Hitler is gone?"
"We haven't discussed it but I doubt it very much. My wife was hoping that I might be transferred to Germany but I hope that she has accepted that I don't want to work there. My future is in the Ministry of Defence and my plans require me to remain in London."
"Bob is toying with the idea of moving to Tel Aviv," Orde added.
"A very long-term consideration and one of many. Thank you, Orde. I am fond of Tel Aviv though but I can imagine that property is expensive here."
"It isn't cheap but I've been told that you can afford it. Bob, we do like to know who we are talking to."
"I expect that and I have nothing to hide. What can you tell me about Chaim Weizmann in England? I'd like to hear your version."
"There isn't much to tell. We both support the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine. Why do you ask?"
"Weizmann has enjoyed considerable influence with previous British governments but I believe that is a thing of the past. The new Baldwin/Eden/Churchill approach may change things."
"In which way?"
"That's the problem. I'm not sure but believe me things are changing rapidly, David. Today's Britain and Europe would have been unthinkable a year ago. Furthermore I believe that the demise of Hitler hasn't helped the Zionist cause in the UK or USA at all. Add to that an isolationist America and a crippled League of Nations then Stanley Baldwin may be open to a locally negotiated solution and that's where you and Emir Abdullah get involved. I would also suggest we add the Swiss Foreign Minister Giuseppe Motta. He has played an important role in Europe during the recent crises. What do you two think?" I asked Thomas and Orde.
Orde replied that he has been away from London too long but he likes the idea of a regional solution. Thomas added that the Arabs are very disunited at the moment but a British/(French) initiative in Palestine may unite them against Britain and France.
"Abdullah's pro-British stance hasn't helped his position at all," he concluded.
"The Grand Mufti will probably be deported to Syria in a few days so Abdullah is our only Arab option and Britain cannot support a wholly Jewish state in Palestine so I don't really believe that we have any alternative to what I mentioned earlier."
"So you will recommend a partition?"
"I deliberately haven't used that word, David. Let's call it a two-track solution with you and Abdullah as main candidates. Nothing will be decided overnight and I hope that you and the Emir would accept an invitation to London in the near future. Our current government likes results, David. That can be an advantage for you."
"Bob, nothing will be decided in London without a Royal Commission and that could take years. By then there will be a revived League of Nations which will want to add their decision..."
"That's what we should aim to prevent, Thomas. If David and Emir Abdullah can agree on a provisional solution until the status of Jerusalem has been decided...."
"...and that's the stumbling block. I remember the nightmare in Damascus after the Ottoman defeat but that is nothing compared to discussing the status of Jerusalem. There is no simple solution, Bob. Believe me."
"Well I believe that the days of Herbert Samuels and Lord Balfour are over. They have made no progress for almost 20 years and look at the mess in the Middle East. Baldwin and Churchill are looking for new impulses and Eden admitted that the Foreign Office has no initiative in the pipeline. The French aren't getting anywhere either. The time is ripe and what do we have to lose?"
"If I may interrupt for a moment you are talking about a two state solution and that is by definition a partition."
"Actually I am not talking about a partition because as I said in London there cannot be a peaceful partition so if you Jews and Arabs want to start a war don't expect Britain to start if for you. We have a combined Mandate of Palestine and Transjordan with a High Commissioner for Palestine and Transjordan so why don't we add David Ben Gurion and Emir Abdullah to form a Troika and let the three of you come up with a solution for Palestine and Transjordan. I'm sure that Britain would support a joint initiative and to hell with the others. I believe that Winston would definitely support that." I feel better after saying that.
Orde continued my chain of thought, "and if the others were to start a conflict we kick their ass together."
"I couldn't have phrased it better. That is how we get a Jewish Palestine and an Arabian Jordan. But officially this conversation didn't happen did it, David?"
"Officially it didn't so what did we discuss?"
"Officially I am now missing an Arab negotiating partner so I'm heading home to recommend inviting you and Emir Abdullah to London to discuss a peaceful solution for Palestine and Transjordan and I shall suggest inviting the Swiss Foreign Minister to assist General Howard."
"And the raids?" David and Orde asked.
"They'll halt unless intelligence indicates an imminent terrorist attack or more weapons being smuggled. We need a statement for the press from the High Commissioner's office. I'm meeting him here in Tel Aviv tomorrow. Could you be available if he wishes to talk, David?"
"Of course. What can I tell my colleagues?"
"The official story with no mention of a partition."
We parted shortly afterwards.