Israel Seeks Firm U.S. Decision to Prevent Further Soviet Involvement in Egypt

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said today that Israel wants the United States government “to state its very firm decision to prevent any further steps in the Soviet involvement in Egypt.” In a briefing for newsmen however, he evaded questions as to the kind of declaration or warning Israel would like to elicit from the United States. “This is being discussed at high level,” he said. The Ministry spokesman insisted that Israel does not want a “physical American involvement” in the Mideast. “The most important thing we want from the United States is the aircraft we have applied for,” he said. He said Israel would accept them without prior announcement but would prefer it to be public. Asked if Israel regarded the supply of planes as an American commitment, he replied that the U.S. had never attached any conditions to the supply of aircraft to Israel. Foreign Minister Abba Eban said in Tel Aviv Friday that the balance of power in the Mideast was very delicate at this stage and a few planes could tip it one way or another. Addressing the weekly luncheon of the Industrial Club he would say only that he was “not discouraged” by his recent talks with American officials in Washington on Israel’s request for more jets.