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RECOGNITION
OF ISRAEL
  In
the Spring of 1948, Palestine became embroiled in American
domestic politics. Jewish votes were important to President
Truman in the coming election. Key advisers, especially Clark
Clifford, pushed him to stand firmly for UN partition to win
those votes.
As May 15th approached, pressure on President Truman increased.
He was urged to recognize the new Jewish state that was
certain to be proclaimed when partition occurred. Others
counseled against recognition, arguing it would antagonize
Arab states and jeopardize American access to oil.
President Truman's regard for Secretary of State George
C. Marshall was tremendous. The Secretary's opposition to
recognition of a new Jewish state in Palestine troubled
President Truman and resulted in the sharpest disagreement
the two ever had.
A Nation is Born
 As
partition approached, President Truman had to decide whether
to officially recognize the Jewish state that would be proclaimed
on May 15th.
On May 12th, he gathered his advisers at the White House.
Tempers flared. Clark Clifford made the case for recognition.
Secretary of State George Marshall led the opposition, saying
he couldn't vote for President Truman if he pursued recognition.
President Truman weighed personal, political and strategic
concerns. On May 14th he acted. America recognized the new
state of Israel.
On May 14th Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion reads the
proclamation of nationhood. Striking the speaker's table
for emphasis, he announced, "The name of our state shall
be Israel."
The American statement recognizing the new State of Israel
bears President Truman's last-minute handwritten changes.
American recognition came shortly after midnight in Palestine,
just minutes after the new nation was proclaimed.
President Truman accepted the gift of a Torah from Dr.
Chaim Weizmann, first president of the new state of Israel,
during Weizmann's visit to the White House on May 25th,
1948.
Featured
documents in this section of the exhibit:
-
Edward R. Stettinius, Jr. to Harry S. Truman, April 18,
1945, regarding early requests for Truman's approval of
a Jewish State in Palestine. Papers of Harry S. Truman:
President's Secretary's Files. (1
page)
-
Correspondence
between Harry S. Truman and Chaim Weizmann, May 13 and
15, 1948, thanking Truman for his support and asking for
prompt recognition of Israel by the United States. Papers
of Harry S. Truman: Official Files. (3
pages)
-
Press
Release, Statement by the President, November 13, 1945,
announcing the establishment of the Anglo-American Committee
of Enquiry into the Palestine situation. Papers of Harry
S. Truman: President's Secretary's Files. (2
pages)
-
Correspondence
between Harry S. Truman and Edward Jacobson, October 3
and 8, 1947, regarding Truman's public support of the
creation of a Jewish State in Palestine. Papers of Harry
S. Truman: President's Secretary's Files. (3
pages)
-
Statement
of the President, May 14, 1948, regarding the official
United States government recognition of the State of Israel.
Papers of Charles Ross. (1
page)
-
Correspondence
between Mrs. Benjamin Brown, Mr. Vince Gaughan, and Harry
S. Truman, June 28, July 18, and July 24, 1961, regarding
a miniature piano Mrs. Brown sent to President Truman
as a thanks for his sympathy with the Jewish people and
his recognition of Israel. Papers of Harry S. Truman:
Post-Presidential Files. (7
pages)
Truman:
In His Own Words
- Letter,
Harry S. Truman to Bess Wallace, June 22, 1911, in which
he casually expresses his racial prejudices. Papers of Harry
S. Truman: Family, Business, and Personal Affairs File.
(6
pages)
- Letter,
Harry S. Truman to Bess Wallace Truman, June 19, 1946, again
using racially discriminatory language. Papers of Harry
S. Truman: Family, Business, and Personal Affairs File.
(5
pages)
- Letter,
Harry S. Truman to Attorney General Tom Clark, with attached
memo to David Niles, September 20, 1946, expressing anger
and alarm over rising racially motivated violence and seeking
options for dealing with the situation. Papers of David
K. Niles. (2
pages)
- Draft
letter, Harry S. Truman to Mary Jane Truman, June 28, 1947,
in which Truman mentions his upcoming speech to the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and wishing
he didn’t have to make it. Papers of Harry S. Truman:
Post-Presidential File. (2
pages)
- Fourth
draft, speech to NAACP, with corrections by Harry S. Truman,
June 28, 1947, reinforcing the commitment of the federal
government to guaranteeing civil rights for all citizens
and combating discrimination. Papers of Harry S. Truman:
President’s Secretary’s File.
(6 pages)
- Letter,
Roy Wilkins to Harry S. Truman, January 12, 1953, professing
admiration for Truman’s civil rights record during
his administration, and Truman’s thanks in reply, January
14, 1953. Papers of Harry S. Truman: Official Files.
(4 pages)
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