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VOLUMES 1-2: 1947-1974
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III. THE ARMISTICE AGREEMENTS
2. Prime Minister Ben-Gurion's report to the Cabinet, 18 November 1948:
In the middle of November 1948, Israel was faced with Security Council Resolution S/1070 of 4 November (see Section II, Document 18), which called upon the parties to withdraw their forces to positions that they held on 14 October. At the same juncture, Resolution S/1080 proposed an armistice to replace the truce. The Prime Minister reported on both matters, and on Israel's position at the current session of the General Assembly in Paris. He said:
In its decision of November 16 there was a new element that we heartily welcome. It appears that at least some members of the Council finally understand that the truce does not lead to peace; on the contrary, it may serve to fan the flame of belligerency, which will benefit neither Jews nor Arabs. The resolution adopted two days ago by the Security Council, while not as strong as it should be, nevertheless marks a turning point in the Council's comprehension of the problem of war and peace in this country. The Council decided on November 16 that there was need for direct negotiations, or negotiations through the good offices of the Mediator, between the two sides. These would not be negotiations about a truce but about an armistice, which would be the first step toward permanent peace.
We heartily welcome this decision. The Israel Government is ready to begin negotiations with all Arab states, with individual Arab states, or With those states that have already concluded that there is no way of defeating Israel. We will inform the Mediator and the Security Council that we regard such negotiations as the only path that can lead to peace between the Arab states and Israel. We do not place much value on the boastful talk that is still heard from various Arab statesmen.
We have reason to believe that a large proportion of the Arab peoples have concluded that the war they tried to wage against the establishment of the State of Israel has failed, and that the Arab states have nothing to gain from its continuation. We are convinced that there are no irreconcilable conflicts between the interests of Israel and the just interests of the Arab states. We are pleased at this request from the Security Council, which has urged the two sides to make peace. We will give the Security Council every possible assistance and support in this sphere.
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