Press Release Announcing U.S. Recognition of Israel

Audience

As an official act of the United States, Truman's recognition of Israel served as notice to its provisional government that the United States was, indeed, its ally. Further, it was a statement made to the larger community of nations, particularly the United Nations, that, consistent with the American vote in November 1947, the United States continued to support the idea of the partition of Palestine. However, since no Arab State of Palestine was formed at the time, no parallel document recognizing a Palestinian state was prepared by the American government. Finally, with respect to the international community, Truman was sending a clear signal to the Soviet Union that he had no intention of allowing it to use the newly formed Jewish state as a wedge between the Straits of Bosporus and the Suez Canal. Truman was keenly aware that the head of the Soviet delegation to the United Nations, deputy foreign minister Andrey Gromyko, had spoken at the First Special Session of the General Assembly, signaling Moscow's willingness to consider a two-state solution in Palestine. On the other hand, Truman was content to allow the British to maintain their general control in the region.

Truman's decision to recognize Israel quickly and dramatically also was intended to send a message to various groups in the United States. Already during World War II, Truman had strongly assured the American Jewish community that he would aid the survivors of the Holocaust and support a Zionist agenda in the Middle East. The quickness of his action in recognizing Israel made good on those promises, an act that was both principled and political. In so doing, he may have effectively curbed support for his Democratic rival, Henry Wallace, in the Jewish community. Christian Zionism, although still largely nascent, also shaped an audience for Truman. A certain sense of destiny with biblical resonance accompanied Truman's action. Finally, Truman was making a statement to the American people that he was a strong leader capable of making important, historic decisions with confidence based on his own view of America's best interests and more abstract ideas of truth and justice. Later in life, Truman viewed his nearly instant recognition of Israel as one of his most significant acts as president.