Israel to Seek Representation at Summit Parley; Cabinet Meets Today

Israel will not consider binding any decision adopted at the projected United Nations summit conference If she is not invited and the Arab states send representatives to the parley, it was learned here today following lengthy meetings between Premier David Ben Gurion and his top aides. It was also learned that Israel will demand an invitation to the conference if the Arab states are invited.

The regular Israel Cabinet meeting was postponed for 24 hours until tomorrow on account of the observance of Tisha B’Av, the day of mourning marking the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. It is understood that the agenda is a crowded one, including a discussion of the forthcoming Security Council “summit” session and Israel’s possible representation there.

A meeting between Premier Charles de Gaulle of France and Israel Foreign Minister Golda Meir which was scheduled to be held in Paris Wednesday has been delayed for a week on account of Mrs. Meir’s illness, it was announced here today. Mrs, Meir’s health permitting, she will travel to France the first week of next month. When the Premier was informed of Mrs. Meir’s sudden illness, he sent a message of regret and suggested the meeting be held whenever Mrs. Meir’s physicians allow it.

Meanwhile, Shimon Peress, director general of the Israel Defense Ministry, who visited Paris, Rome and other Western capitals last week, returned here this week-end. He is expected to fly back to Paris late today or tomorrow. Mr. Peress is presumed to have gone abroad to explore the possibility of Israel’s purchasing armaments and is believed to have encountered success in his mission.

In addition to its efforts to obtain arms from the United States and France, Israel is attempting to purchase weapons from Britain, informed sources disclosed here today. This renewed effort at arms accumulation is a direct reflection of Israel’s concern that sooner or later she will be entirely encircled by Nasser’s empire, it was pointed out.

Reportedly, Israel is seeking submarine-killing equipment to guard against the augmented underseas fleet obtained by Cairo from the USSR. Though Lebanon’s replies to the latest Israeli quest have been less evasive than in the past, the Israelis are skeptical about the likelihood of early British agreement.

However, the British are pictured as pressing Israel for an early renewal of permission to resume the cross-Israel airlift to Jordan, apparently on the expectation of a long stay in the Arab country and a need for the shortest possible supply route.