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Senator Fulbright Attacks Israel on Atomic ‘bomb’ Issue

January 25, 1961
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Chairman J, W, Fulbright of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today attacked Israel on the atomic bomb issue in the course of a committee hearing on the qualifications of Murat W. Williams, former U.S. Embassy counselor in Tel Aviv, named by President Kennedy as new Ambassador to El Salvador.

Senator Fulbright asked Mr. Williams if he knew of atomic bomb manufacture in Israel being kept secret from the United States. Mr, Williams replied that, last summer, the Embassy was aware of some nuclear activities and pointed out that Israel, in verifying the existence of such research, had emphasized its peaceful purpose.

Senator Fulbright, however, inferentially attacked the Israel atomic program, the context of his remarks being hostile to Israel on the issue. The qualifications of Mr. Williams to serve as Ambassador to El Salvador were also questioned with remarks that State Department personnel were shifted too quickly from one post to another, and it was alleged that Mr. Williams lacked background in Latin American affairs.

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