יומנים > יומן - מלא 19/01/1949
Reports from Rhodes say that the withdrawal from Faluja is conditional on the agreement being signed. Why did they report something different earlier?
In the morning I found a cable from Eytan that was sent 182400 saying: “In an initial conversation with the mediator and his advisors regarding the armistice lines, we demanded that the Egyptian-Israeli border be set as the armistice line and that Egyptian forces be withdrawn from the boundaries of the country. The impression that emerges from the mediator’s reaction after his initial talks with the Egyptians, and from unofficial talks conducted by Reuven [Shiloah] and the political advisors and [David] Shaltiel with the Egyptian officials, is that [one] should not dismiss the possibility of the Egyptians agreeing to evacuate the coastal region, if it does not entail turning the Arab population over to Israel’s rule. In internal discussions within the delegation we raised alternative proposals such as: 1) Demilitarizing the area and turning it over to UN governance. 2) Evacuation of the Egyptian forces and the establishment of a local administration under Israel’s command. 3) Evacuation of the Egyptian forces and the establishment of a local administration under Egyptian supervision. 4) Withdrawal of the Egyptian forces; [a governing system] headed by a military governor and Egyptian police forces for local security needs.
The delegation members have strong doubts about this proposal, out of concern about creating precedents for UN governance in the country and an opening for all sorts of mishaps. Cable your opinions.”
– In the meantime Bevin was startled by his critics – conservatives and members of his party – and announced yesterday surprisingly [to Parliament] that it has been decided that the Cyprus ma’apilim [clandestine immigrants] would be released (when?) and discussions on the recognition of Israel’s government are underway. Indeed, the water has apparently reached the soul [a biblical phrase meaning “he has indeed apparently reached his limit”] – if this bloke has a soul.
[Winston] Churchill demands no withdrawal from ‘Aqaba … and Bevin of course obeys him.
– Sherf presented me with a list of [ID] cards. In Jerusalem 39 (thousand) were distributed (all the numbers are up to and including the 18th of this month) – the total number is 40. In southern Rehovot and the Negev 11.5 (12), Rishon LeZion and vicinity 8.5 (9), Tel Aviv, Holon, and Jaffa 115 (140), Gush Dan 18 (21), Petah Tikva 13 (14), southern Sharon 15.5 (16), central Sharon without the immigrant homes 7 (7), northern Sharon without the immigrant homes 13.5 (14), Haifa and vicinity 55 (72), Asher region 7 (7), the Valley and Nazareth 27 (29), the Galilee 10 (11.5), total 346 (392.5), immigrant homes 1 [(]7.5). People who provided a permanent address in Jerusalem and registered elsewhere (the distribution will take place on January 20) 0 (3). Overall total 341 (403).
– Zabar, Herzog, and Kopel [sp.] – on the budget of the I.S. [Intelligence Service]. So far 30,000, to Little Isser 8,800. Construct on Mount Carmel [ ?] BRM [?] for intelligence – 50 intelligence units, 40 security sergeants, a course on aerial photography – at Kaherman’s [sp.] farm, on the way to Bet Oren. The required budget is P£ 42,409 per month, at the start of January 840 employees (1 October 410). Upkeep requires 37,000, irrigations [investments?] 5,000; aside from this [the following] is required: for the eavesdropping center 2,500, for vehicle[s] 7,700, for mista’arvim [soldiers disguised as Arabs for military or intelligence purposes] 5,000. It was agreed that they be given 37,000 for running costs, and agreed that they would begin building the eavesdropping center, but they’ll only receive the money next month.
– I suggested a series of activities to Dori in order to guarantee every soldier’s right to vote.
– Government meeting: Moshe [Sharett] presented a briefing on the discussion in Rhodes and the other talks with Arabs – and surprisingly, did not trigger any argument. The rest of the time was devoted to clarifying the system of elections.
Two emissaries of the Jews of Argentina ([blank space]) received a message from me to Argentina’s Jewry and Gentiles.
– The Yemenites presented me today with a Torah scroll on behalf of the Jews of Aden. The book was brought by children who arrived yesterday by plane from Aden [as part of Operation Al Kanfei Nesharim (“On Eagles’ Wings”)].
– Shaul [Avigur] gave me the ‘aliya [immigration] projections for the three months of January-March. In January 19,850 (6,500 from Bulgaria, 1,300 from Romania, 1,500 from Czechoslovakia, 6,000 from Germany, 1,200 from Austria, 1,200 from North Africa, and more); in February 25,900 (7,000 from Bulgaria, 3,200 from Romania, 1,700 from Czechoslovakia, 6,000 from Germany, 1,500 from Austria, 1,200 from Shanghai, 2,000 from North Africa, and more); in March 26,600 (5,000 from Bulgaria, 4,000 from Romania, 2,500 from Czechoslovakia, 6,000 from Germany, 1,500 from Austria, 2,200 from Shanghai, 2,500 from North Africa, and more).
[The calculations] did not include the Cyprus immigrants who will arrive soon if Bevin is true to his word. Without Cyprus [the total is] 72,350 in three months. Immigrants from Aden, Turkey, and Hungary were not included either.
– At the end of the government meeting things (election arrangements) were almost upended, and it was decided: each voter’s ID card will be taken, all the voters will use a double envelope, all the counting will be done in the center, Tuesday will be declared a sabbatical day.