The Soviet radio today blared the full text of the angry message sent by Soviet Premier Nikolai Bulganin to Israel’s Premier David Ben Gution, in which he termed Israel “a tool of foreign imperialists,” an “aggressor,” and a country which is “toying” with the fate of peace “in a criminal and irresponsible manner.” The text of the message, as translated from the Russian, reads:
“Mr. Premier: The Soviet Government has already expressed its definite condemnation of the armed aggression by Israel as well as Britain and France against Egypt, which was a direct and open violation of the Charter and principles of the United Nations.
“The overwhelming majority of the states of the world also condemned the act of aggression committed with regard to the Egyptian state at the special and extraordinary session of the General Assembly, and called on the Governments of Israel, Britain and France to cease military operations forthwith and withdraw the invading troops from Egyptian territory.
“All peace-loving mankind indignantly brands the criminal actions of the aggressors who have attacked the territorial entity, sovereignty and independence of the Egyptian state. Disregarding this, the Government of Israel, acting as a tool of foreign imperialist powers, continues the foolhardy adventure, challenging all the peoples of the East who are struggling against colonialism for their freedom and independence.
“Such actions by the Government of Israel plainly show how much all the false assurances of Israel’s love of peace and its desire to co-exist peacefully with the neighboring Arab states were worth. By these assurances the Government of Israel was in fact merely striving to full the vigilance of other nations while preparing a treacherous attack against its neighbors.
“Carrying out the will of other people, acting according to instructions from abroad, the Government of Israel is toying with the fate of its own people, in a criminal and irresponsible manner. It is sowing such hatred for the State of Israel among the peoples of the East as cannot but affect the future of Israel and which will place in jeopardy the very existence of Israel as a state.
“Being vitally interested in the preservation of peace and in safeguarding calm in the Middle and Near East, the Soviet Government is at this moment taking measures aimed at stopping the war and curbing the aggressors. We appeal to the Government of Israel to come to its senses before it is too late and halt its military operations against Egypt.
“We appeal to you, the Parliament, the working people of the state of Israel, to the entire people of Israel: Stop the aggression, halt the bloodshed, withdraw your troops from Egyptian territory. In view of the situation which has arisen, the Soviet Government has decided to advise its Ambassador in Tel Aviv to leave Israel and return immediately to Moscow. We hope that the Government of Israel will duly understand and appreciate our warning.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
