Former President Harry S. Truman said today that the United States should send troops to defend Israel if Israel is attacked just as this country defended the Republic of Korea. He spoke on a national NBC television program.
Mr. Truman said that Israel deserves United States arms and, noting that Arab states had received such arms, expressed the view that the United States should treat countries alike. Tracing the reasons for the weakening of the United States position in the Middle East since his administration, the former President put responsibility on the White House, stating that foreign policy is made by the Chief Executive through the Secretary of State.
Mr. Truman said that he wanted Israel to survive and that one would know why by reading the Ten Commandments. He said private aid to Israel was a good thing and that he hope contributors would keep it up. He advocated also government economic and technical aid to the Middle East.
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