Egypt’s Hostility Brings No Change in U.S. Stand on Arms for Israel

State Department sources indicated today that they saw no immediate change in the United States attitude toward Israel’s arms application despite the hostility shown by Egyptian President Nasser against the Western Powers by nationalizing the Suez Canal. Pro-Israel elements here had hoped the extreme anti-Western action by Egypt would cause a more favorable view in Washington toward Israel’s appeal for defensive arms.

State Department spokesman Lincoln White refused to say if Israel was considered a maritime power whose interests were important enough to say if Israel was considered a maritime power whose interests were important enough to be consulted by the United States on the Egyptian seizure of the Suez Canal Company. This emerged under questioning after Mr. White announced that the United States was in touch on the Suez issue with England, France, and will be in contact with other countries. Asked if Israel might be consulted, he refused to answer. But he implied Israel would not, saying that everyone knew which countries were the major maritime powers.