Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, in a message to President Eisenhower, explained that Israel’s action was dictated by the necessity to defend the lives of its people, it was reported here today.
The Israeli leader’s message was reported to have condemned Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, saying that his policies had blocked peace efforts by both the United States and Israel. At the same time, Mr. Ben Gurion was understood to have expressed deep appreciation to Mr. Eisenhower for his efforts to lessen tension in the Middle East.
The reports of the Ben Gurion message said that the Israel Premier had cited the setting-up of a tripartite Arab military pact as a threat to Israel and as evidence of Nasser’s intention to wipe out Israel. He was said to have added that the Egyptian dictator had evidently felt free to carry out his threats against Israel ever since the Security Council concluded its consideration of the Suez Canal question.
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