Letter from Joseph P. Walshe to Seán Nunan (Dublin)
(Secret) (19/3/5)

My dear Secretary,
The Deputy-Secretary in his minute 305/81 of the 23rd November¹ asks me for comments on the question of extending complete recognition to Israel.

I should begin by repeating that the Holy See, having taken, through repeated declarations of the Holy Father himself, a definite stand on the necessity of the territorial internationalisation of Jerusalem, there is no possibility of compromise, at least during the lifetime of the present Pope.

Neither is there the remotest chance of the Jews ever abandoning their thesis that Jerusalem is the Capital of Israel and the centre of the aspirations of the Jews all over the world.

There may be a compromise between the protestant countries and Israel with regard to some form of control in regard to the Holy Places in and outside Jerusalem, but never on the question of sovereignty. The danger, which I have often mentioned to the Holy See, of the present attitude is that the Protestants may become the arbiters in any system of control established while the dissension lasts. On the other hand, the Holy See, using unofficial channels, may exercise its influence to secure some Catholic representation on the Commission of Control, if such be appointed.

We have waited a reasonable time for the emergence of more hopeful factors before coming to a decision about final recognition. The Holy See realizes that the secular affairs of nations must go on notwithstanding the continuance of a religious issue no matter how important, and I have not the smallest doubt that when I tell the Secretariat of State that we have cogent reasons for recognition they will fully realize the situation and accept its implications.

But as part of our very wise policy of keeping the Holy See fully informed in all such matters, we should, before taking any step, give them the reasons, and in the second place we should carry out the necessary measure of recognition with the least possible publicity or éclat.² Otherwise, we shall run the risk of creating a certain froissement which might cause more ultimate difficulties for us than Israel is really worth.

I shall therefore be grateful for a note giving me a good ad hominem case for full recognition now. You are of course aware that Italy exchanged legations with Israel last year. If you have easily accessible a list of all the countries in that category it would be a help for my conversation.

The fact that I have always given it, as my personal view, that the Holy See had made demands which no patriotic Jew could ever accept renders this task relatively easy, and, as I have said, I have no doubt about the reply.