Israel lashed out yesterday at Britain and France for seeking to sell advanced arms to hostile Arab states and thus escal ate the Mideast arms race. The comments were timed to coincide with the arrival here, for an official visit, of British Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe. (See related story, P. 3.)
Officials in Jerusalem blasted Britiain’s and Frances’ weapons-peddling in this region. They referred to recent separate sales missions by the British and French Defense Ministers to various Arab countries.
“Such supplies (if realized) must inevitably add to the danger of escalation and war,” the officials said. “Such policies should not be pursued by those purporting to peace in the region.”
The comments referred specifically to sales to “countries in a state of war with Israel,” thus impliedly excluding British efforts to interest Egypt in London’s military wares.
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