The military equilibrium between Israel and the Arab states, particularly the United Arab Republic, has now shifted, and the Arab leaders, especially Egypt’s President Gamal Abdel Nasser, are expected to feel in a few years from now that they can start a “decisive” war of annihilation against Israel, according to evaluations apparently summarized here yesterday in the Israel Cabinet.
The Cabinet yesterday concluded a series of appraisals of Israel’s overall security situation. The shift in the military equilibrium, which Israel felt it had redressed in its favor during the Sinai campaign of 1956, emerged today as one of the major conclusions in the Cabinet.
From the viewpoint of short-term implications, it is believed here now that Nasser’s aggressiveness will increase. Examples of such intransigence are seen in the UAR’s recent tightening of the anti-Israel blockade of the Sues Canal, as well as the recent Syrian incursions on Israel’s northern border.
While it is agreed that Israel cannot help reacting to such actions, it is also felt here that Israel must not give the world the impression that it, too, is becoming aggressive.
Long-term thinking here holds that Israel must adjust its defense budget and must strengthen its ties with those countries where she is able to purchase arms. France and the United States are cited as examples of such countries.
Since the success of the Sinai campaign had created a worldwide impression of Israel’s unquestioned military superiority as compared to Egypt, it is felt here that Israel must explain anew to foreign governments and to world public opinion the present situation regarding Middle East armaments.
The Israelis feel they must point out that the continued flow of Soviet arms to the Arab states, and recent Western efforts to appease the Arab leaders, are bringing about a “dangerous reversal” of the military situation which may, ultimately, result in a situation similar to the posture that preceded the 1956 Sinai period.
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