British-israel Relations Cooling over Oil Developments

The Israel Government is not taking as final the initial cold British Government reaction to Israel’s request for intervention with the two British oil companies which have decided to end their operations in the Jewish State, it was learned here today.

Nevertheless, British-Israel relations appear headed for the lowest point since the Sinai campaign. It is understood that Britain’s first reaction to Israel’s request for intervention was hat the Foreign Office could not interfere with business decisions of private companies. It is known here that Sheli Oil, one of the companies involved, practically never makes an important move without consulting the British Government, while the second” company operating in Israel, British Petroleum, is partly owned by the British Government.