A French parliamentary delegation, which came to Israel a week ago expressly to foster a formal Franco-Israeli alliance, cancelled without explanation today a press conference at which the delegates had been scheduled to summarize the results of the week-long tour.
The cancellation reportedly was decided upon after Premier David Ben Gurion yesterday told Jacques Soustelle; head of the 22-man delegation, that a de facto Franco-Israeli alliance already existed. Mr. Ben Gurion’s comment, made after Mr. Soustelle reiterated the delegation’s conviction that a formal pact was necessary, led to speculation that the Prime Minister did not necessarily favor formal alliances for the sake of alliances alone.
Although the French delegation cannot speak for the French government, its members have been consistently advocating an alliance during their current visit.
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