A lifting of the ban on arms shipments to Israel was announced in the Canadian House of Commons this week-end by Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent. The Prime Minister revealed that the Cabinet had released three shipments worth about $165,000 and had two others under advisement. The Cabinet’s action followed the release about ten days ago of 12 Harvard trainer planes for Egypt.
Mr. St. Laurent said that the three arms applications released for shipment were: spare parts for Sherman tanks, worth over $136,000; less than 2,000 rounds of 25-pound artillery ammunition worth $30,000, and 40 electronic devices, worth about $1,200. He said the shipments were the remainder of a $565,000 order placed in 1954. The other items had been delivered. If and when a decision is made on the two new Israeli applications currently under consideration by the Cabinet, “an immediate announcement will be made,” the Prime Minister pledged.
Political observers here considered the approval of the Israel shipments as extremely significant in view of the Canadian Government’s earlier announcement that it was coordinating its arms supply policy on the Middle East with that of Washington and London.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
