UN Palestine Commission – Reported activities of Lebanese officers – Letter from United Kingdom

10 February 1948

UNITED NATIONS PALESTINE COMMISSION

Further Communication from Mr. Fletcher-Cooke Concerning the Reported
Activities of Lebanese Officers

The following communication from Mr. Fletcher-Cooke of the United Kingdom Delegation was received on 10 February 1948.

* * *

UNITED KINGDOM DELEGATION TO THE UNITED NATIONS

Empire State Building

New York 1, N. Y.

10th February 1948

Dear Bunche,

In my letter of 9th February, I informed you that I had received a telegram from Jerusalem saying that no information was available there about the alleged discovery by Hagana patrols of Lebanese officers surveying the ground for gun and mortar positions in Upper Galilee on or about lst February.

I have just received another telegram from Jerusalem reporting that since the first telegram (on which my letter referred to above was based) was sent, it has now come to the knowledge of the Government of Palestine that Jewish sources reported to Headquarters, Palestine about 30th January that an attack on frontier settlements in Eastern Galilee was being prepared and that Al Manara and Misgavam would probably be the targets. The report to Headquarters, Palestine also stated that Lebanese officers had been observed reconnoitring sites for mortars and light artillery. This information was immediately conveyed to the Military Commander of the area.

The Government of Palestine has expressed regret that this information was not in its possession when the former telegram was despatched.

/s/ JOHN FLETCHER-COOKE

(J. Fletcher-Cooke)

Dr. Ralph J. Bunche

Principal Secretary, to the United Nations Commission

for Palestine,

United Nations,

Lake Success.