The budget chief of Israel’s Defense Ministry disclosed today that the country was spending $2 million a day, seven days a week, for defense needs. Gen. Jacob Hefetz, in a broadcast over the Army radio network, also disclosed that Israeli gunners fired $1.7 million worth of shells in four days of artillery duels with Egyptian forces across the Suez Canal two weeks age.
Gen. Hefetz said the bulk of the defense budget this year will go to the Air Force to pay for 50 Phantom jet fighter-bombers, Skyhawk jets and Hawk missiles, all purchased from the United States. But, he added, large sums would also be allocated to the Navy, artillery and other military branches. According to Gen. Hefetz, Israel’s defense budget this year is two-and-a-half times greater than that of the year preceding the Six-Day War.
A settler of Maoz Chaim in the Beisan Valley was wounded today in a bazooka attack from across the Jordanian border. An Israeli patrol was also attacked in the vicinity of neighboring Kfar Ruppin, a military spokesman reported. Israeli forces returned the fire in both cases. A hand grenade thrown at an Israeli refrigerated truck as it passed through Gaza yesterday exploded behind the vehicle and caused no casualties or damage. A military spokesman said several suspects have been detained.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
