The Israel Government made a very strong informal demarche at the British Foreign Office when Israel charge d’affaires Mordecai Kidron saw the new British Minister of State, Kenneth Younger, it was learned here today. The main subject of Israel’s protest was the continued refusal by Britain to sell arms to Israel while new deliveries to Egypt and Iraq have reached a point far beyond that previously admitted by the Foreign Office.
Meanwhile, the Arab rearmament program has reached such proportions that it is causing the gravest disquiet here. A group of M.P.’s representing all parties in the House of Commons is planning to raise the issue when Parliament reconvenes next week, it was learned.
Particular attention has been focused on Britain’s strengthening of Egypt’s air force–especially the bomber arm which cannot be described as a defensive force. Sources connected with the British armed services confirm that Egypt has purchased a total of 150 modern fighters and bombers, including 100 jet fighters. A number of bombers and 30 jet fighters have already been delivered and new Lincoln bombers, capable of carrying a 12-ton pay load, are scheduled for delivery in July.
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