Assessment Reveals Mideast Arms Balance Tipping in Favor of Israel’s Enemies

The U.S. decision not to sell Israel more warplanes at this time diminishes the prospects of peace and increases the danger of war in the Middle East, according to an official assessment issued by the Israel Embassy here. The Embassy’s background policy paper asserts that “While the Arab countries can count on an unlimited supply of war materials of all kinds, Israel is bound to be even more restricted than ever before in its ability to procure essential supplies of planes.” It noted that the Israel Air Force is “the most vital element” of that country’s deterrent capacity and “the key to the maintenance of the balance of power.” The paper said that Israel’s request to purchase a specific number of American planes was not arbitrary but “based upon sober intelligence evaluations that reveal a steadily deteriorating ratio in numerical odds.”