יומנים > יומן - מלא 25/02/1949

Tuesday, February 25, 1949

At 10 the Conciliation Commission and their assistants came to see me. Moshe [Sharett] was also present. [Mark] Ethridge reported that in all the Arab countries he’d found a desire for peace – but fear of Israel – I told him why we’re eager for peace – but only if our security is established. I stressed the uniquely Jewish aspect of our security issue, and that if we had not been able to defend ourselves, we would have been destroyed without the world lifting a finger. I also explained the source of our aspiration for peace and for cooperation with the Arab world. Ethridge, Boisanger, and Yalcin asked questions. Yalcin undoubtedly is not a fan and discussed everything in terms of the Turkish interest.

         – Yigael [Yadin] and [Walter] Eytan returned from Rhodes. I was glad to see them. They did important work [in the negotiations with Egypt] patiently and skillfully and successfully.

         – A delegation of the Religious [Front?] rabbis came to ask about dishes and kashrut and having a Ministry of Religious Affairs. I explained why there is no need for this ministry and why this shouldn’t be an issue for the rabbis. Unterman completely accepted my position. I do not know whether Herzog and Uziel were convinced.

         – In the afternoon the G.Z. delegation came. They’re actually insisting on two – 3 for Mapam, 3 for the Religious [Front], and five for Mapai …. I explained that this is impossible. Neither Mapam nor the Religious will accept such a proportion. But they stood their ground.

         – Gruenbaum came to see me. He wants the Ministry of the Interior, if not the Ministry of Absorption. I told him about the negotiations – and the slim chances of forming a government.

         – I summoned Rosenblüth. I told him what was happening with the talks. And I asked him whether he would join the government in a narrow coalition of Mapai and Mapam. He expressed doubt. He’s concerned that his [party] members would leave him.

         – It seems to me that the only recourse is a coalition without G.Z., and with a larger number: 15, in order to give 3 – 3 to Mapam and the Religious. And then the party [would have] 7, Rosenblüth and Sheetrit 1 – 1.