— The government of Israel today expressed “deep regret and unreserved opposition” to the Reagan Administration’s decision yesterday to supply Saudi Arabia with sophisticated weapons and AWACS intelligence gathering planes. Premier Menachem Begin met today with U.S. Ambassador Samuel Lewis to convey Israel’s reaction.
An official communique issued here stated: “The supply of sophisticated weaponry (to Saudi Arabia) will undermine peace in the Middle East and create a grove danger to the security of the State of Israel.” It also noted that Saudi Arabia is known for its strong opposition to the Camp David accords, to peace with Israel and to the recognition of Israel. The communique pointed out that Saudi Arabia provides massive financial aid to “terrorist organizations” and has called for a jihad (holy war) against Israel.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman refused to say whether Israel would mobilize its friends in Congress to prevent the arms sale. He said: “We hope all our American friends will take our position into consideration….We will do all that we can as a government to prevent the sale from taking place.” The spokesman added that Israel rejected American explanations that conditions placed on the sale of the AWACS reduce the danger to Israel.
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