“Israel has an adequate answer to all types of arms which the Arab countries have in use or in the development stage,” Gen. Itzhak Rabin, chief of staff of Israel’s defense forces, stated in an interview here today, given in connection with Israel’s Independence Day.
Discussing Israel’s defense problems, Gen. Rabin declared that Egypt has no missile system as yet that is operative. “And it is doubtful,” he added, “whether they will have such a system within the next two or three years.” The chief of staff pointed to Egypt’s deep involvement in military operations in Yemen, and said: “Israel’s arms must pay attention to the fact that the Egyptians are using gas in Yemen.” Although Egypt, he stated, “is stuck in Yemen, there is no complete assurance that the Egyptians will refrain from action in our area too.”
In regard to the Arab projects for diversion of the headwaters of the Jordan River, he said: “It would be a mistake not to pay attention to the diversion of the Jordan tributaries now being carried out by the Syrians. This subject will continue to occupy us during the next year.”
Gen Rabin also warned against possible resumption of activities by members of El Fatah, the Arab terrorist gangs who have, from time to time, infiltrated into Israel, carrying out acts of sabotage. “If El Fatah should act in the future,” he said, “we will take steps which proved themselves effective in the past against countries from which the infiltrators penetrate Israel.”
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