יומנים > יומן - מלא 07/03/1949

Monday, March 7, 1949

This morning I returned to Tel Aviv than to the Kirya [government compound]. Only yesterday did I start to feel that I need to rest, at least another week. But these are not days of rest.

         Yesterday Moshe [Sharett], Reuven [Shiloah], and [Eliezer] Kaplan visited me. The talks in Rhodes [with Jordan] are not promising. The Arab delegation is composed of people without import or authority. Apparently such people were sent deliberately so that serious talks would not develop, heaven forbid, between Jews and Arabs. Everything is conveyed to Amman – where English representatives of course make the decisions. I told Reuven not to agree to the armistice lines – most of the border between Transjordan and Eretz Israel in the ‘Arava won’t be recognized by the Transjordanian authorities. The enemy [Jordanians and Egyptians], according to our wiretaps, is located in Baradiya [Bir Ibn ‘Auda?], ‘Ein Ghadian, Umm Rashrash (!), Ras al-Naqab, Jabal Ideid, and Dier Ideid.

         Our forces mobilized [for Operation Uvda] as planned, yesterday at 5 a.m. from the base in Bir ‘Isluj, and are moving along the planned route. Yesterday at 8 they passed by Ras Raman [Mount Ramon], and at 1 p.m. the column reached Bir Ibn ‘Auda [Be’er ‘Ada] without encountering enemy forces. Under the plan they were supposed to reach the airfield at Igfy [sp.] [Sdeh Avraham, west of Biq’at ‘Uvda] in the evening; the airlifted force and provisions will arrive in Igfy [sp.] – if the airfield is worthy of use – on the night of 7/8 of this month. Brigade 1 [Golani] and 3 [Alexandroni] forces are supposed to mobilize on the night of 7/8.

         Moshe [Sharett] read a number of cables – terrible news – from Romania. The Communists decreed the elimination of the Zionist movement and HeHalutz [Zionist youth movement] by force and immediately, and apparently also decreed [the end of] ‘aliya [Jewish immigration to Israel]. The attitude towards the ambassador is rude and insulting. [The ambassador and painter] Reuven wants to return and proposes convening the ambassadors of “popular democratic” countries – but I see no point in such a gesture. We wouldn’t be able to instill fear in these Russian satellites – and we have no interest in a split, even in this situation. Action will be taken in Washington (with the Soviet ambassador) and Moscow. Will it succeed? The style of speech and action in Bucharest is not at all the Romanian style. I fear that it’s a “done deal.”

         I consulted with Kaplan on the organizational economic plans. Hoofien spoke with him as he’d spoken with me. In Kaplan’s view Hoofien is a blessing – not so much in substantive matters, but internally. As director of Trade and Industry Kaplan proposes Yosef Shapira.

         In the meantime Dr. Avniel approached me in writing and proposes himself as minister of trade and industry – as someone who has had no party affiliation to date.

         – Rabbi Fishman, Rabbi I.M. Levin, and Shapira came. We discussed the controversial issues, especially regarding religion. They agree with the clause [in the basic guidelines] “the government will meet the needs of religion” – but they do not want the rest of the clause, “but will prevent religious coercion.” I told them that they must choose – either erase all of it or except all of it.

         At the meeting of the new government the plan was finally agreed upon with slight and agreeable modifications.

         – In the evening I finished my opening remarks [for the presentation of the government to the Knesset on the following day, March 8, 1949].