In the face of war preparations and threats by Egypt’s President Gamal Abdel Nasser, Israel must be on the alert and maintain its deterrent power as the only way to avert attack. Prime Minister Levi Eshkol stated here today. He summarized Israel’s current defense position in an interview in the Independence Day issue of the Israeli Army’s weekly periodically, Bamacheneh. Israel will celebrate the 16th anniversary of the rebirth of the state on Thursday and Friday of this week.
Nasser’s war preparations, his pursuit of more and newer arms, and his search for foreign know how for modern warfare, said the Premier, “face Israel and the entire world with a big question mark. If Nasser decides on this method of accumulating power in order to destroy us, it is our obligation to be alert and to face such a threat. “
Asked about the effect on the situation of the work of German scientists employed by Egypt, Mr.Eshkol replied: “Without paid know-how and hired swords, Nasser could hardly provide his own modern war equipment. If Egypt makes it a method to buy know-how, it can buy it today from Germans–and tomorrow from others. Israel should maintain her deterrent power as the only means to avert attack. If, however, the enemy decides to try his chance, despite this power, he should know that our army will act swiftly and forcefully. “
Asked about American guarantees given to Israel, Mr. Eshkol said: “There are such guarantees, and it is no secret. ” However, he said, he was unaware of any limitation on American guarantees which might, in effect, tell Israel: “You better be good boys. ” Israel’s historic record, he said, makes it clear that “we cannot rely on others” to maintain Israel’s security.
RABIN SAYS: CONTINUE SEEKING PEACE. MAINTAIN MILITARY POWER
General Yitzhak Rabin, chief of staff of Israel’s defense forces, also stated that, while there must be no weakening of Israel’s desire for peace, and while every effort must be made to seek peace, “Israel must maintain its military strength.”
Both Syria and Egypt, said Gen. Rabin, are preparing to attack Israel–Syria over Israel’s water plans connected with the use of Jordan River waters, Egypt “in accordance with Nasser’s statements. ” “Therefore, ” he warned, “there must be no weaking in our efforts to strengthen our power. ” He saw the possibility of three “points of explosion. ” These, he said, are along the Syrian border, in the Jerusalem area, and along Israel’s new water route.
In an address today, summarizing present problems on the eve of the 16th anniversary, Shimon Peres, Deputy Minister of Defense, urged the intensification of Israel’s electronics industry as “the most important means for fostering Israel’s military development. “
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