The British Government today confirmed that Israel has been denied permission to purchase arms in Britain. However, a license was granted for the purchase of certain explosive chemicals, a Foreign Office spokesman revealed.
The spokesman said that the Foreign Office had informed Israel that Britain was “unable” to grant the license for arms. The reply was given informally in response to an unofficial query by Israel officials.
The Foreign Office official repeated the now familiar British view that treaty obligations prevent the sale of arms to the Jewish state at present. Asserting that Israel had adequate facilities for the purchase of arms elsewhere, the spokesman expressed the opinion that it was a good thing for Middle East stability that all nations in that area possess adequate defense forces.
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