British official sources declined comment today on reports that Britain is considering a request from Israel for 40 jet fighter planes and 30 Centurion tanks. The Ministry of Supply referred questions to the Ministry of Defense. A spokesman said such details could be divulged only by the country to which supplies are shipped.
Meanwhile, it was reported here today from Paris that 12 jet planes have been delivered by France to Israel. (In Washington it was reported that the Israel Embassy in Ottawa was negotiating with the Canadians for the purchase of 20 F 86 Sabre jet planes.)
An appeal for immediate action by the Western Powers to supply Israel with defensive arms as a deterrent to Egyptian Premier Col. Gamal Abdel Nasser launching war against the Jewish State was voiced here tonight by Israel Ambassador Eliahu Elath. Addressing an Israel Independence Day dinner under the auspices of the Jewish National Fund, Ambassador Elath stressed that while Israel will firmly resist any suggestion of unilateral concessions to the Arabs, it is always ready to meet with the Arabs for a full and free discussion of outstanding differences and the working out of a peace.
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