President Eisenhower today held open the possibility of U.S. arms sales to Israel. The President told a press conference that the possibility of the sale of munitions to Israel had never been foreclosed. He said that neither be nor Secretary of State Dulles ever stated the United States would not sell arms to Israel.
Mr. Eisenhower pointed out that American policy to date has been to avoid an arms race in the belief that the best prospect for peace and security lies in the United Nations. He indicated that American interests in the Middle East would be gravely jeopardized by an Arab-Israel war. He cited the Tripartite Declaration of 1950.
United Nations action to ease tension, he revealed, was one of the factors under intense study. The nature of such action will be publicized as soon as it is formulated, he said. It was not clear from the President’s statement if the Administration plans to give more favorable consideration to Israel’s application for arms. But it was thought here that he left the door open to such a possibility.
Mr. Eisenhower said he has worked long hours on the Arab-Israel question, often far into the evening. The President revealed that he participated in a secret exchange of correspondence with Soviet Premier Bulganin on the Egyptian-Communist arms deal. In October, before the Foreign Ministers’ conference at Geneva, Bulganin wrote the President that the arms transaction with Egypt was a purely commercial business deal.
ISRAEL AMBASSADOR SEEKS NEW MEETING WITH DULLES ON ARMS
Meanwhile, it was learned here today that Israel Ambassador Abba-Eban is seeking a State Department appointment this week to prepare for a meeting with Secretary of State John Foster Dulles on the latter’s return from abroad. Mr. Dulles is due back in Washington on March 21. It is expected that Ambassador Eban will pursue Israel’s arms application during the talk with him.
Speaking on the floor of the House today, Rep. Emanuel Celler cited the arms flow from Britain, United States, Russia, and Sweden to the Arab states which he said were “bent on Israel’s destruction,” Stating that arms for Israel is in U.S. self-interest, Rep. Celler said he hoped pressure from the House and other sources “will cause sense to become the watchword of the Administration so that arms will be sent to Israel by the United States.”
Acting Secretary of State Herbert Hoover, Jr., was urged today by New York State Attorney General Jacob K. Javits to recognize the need for a commitment now for arms sales essential to Israel’s security. Mr. Javits, ranking Republican, met with Hoover on the Israel arms issue. He stressed the urgency of Israel military requirements in view of the flow of Communist arms to the Arabs.
After the meeting Mr. Javits expressed belief that “our government is making tremendous efforts to prevent any war in the Middle East between Israel and the Arab states and to bring about a permanent peace there.” He revealed that, during his talk with Mr. Hoover, he urged that “a practical beginning” be made now in supplying arms for Israel’s defense, and that the U.S. Government give notice to all the Middle East that “the United States policy of preserving Israel was firm and was being implemented.”
President George Meany of the AFL-CIO today urged U.S. military supplies for Israel. Stating that “it is unrealistic to regard military aid to Israel as an instigation of an arms race,” he said: “Actually, the race is already on and Israel may soon be out of the running.”
“With the continued help of Communist armament, the Egyptian dictatorship is now openly organizing a military bloc dedicated to a war of annihilation against the democratic republic of Israel,” the noted labor leader stated. He warned that “the growing imbalance” would “inevitably” bring about war unless the U.S. provides Israel with arms. “Only if Israel is equipped to defend herself effectively can the forces of aggression arrayed against her be deterred,” he pointed out.
Once hostilities are averted, he said, the United States should seek action through the United Nations and other channels to bring about a negotiated peace settlement. He urged Congressional reinforcement and reaffirmation of the 1950 Tripartite Declaration.
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