The British Government does not intend to make a written reply to Israel’s protests on the delivery of jet planes to tae Arab states, it was learned here today from sources close to the Foreign Office. The gist of the British position on Israel’s protest was explained orally by Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden when he conferred with Israel Minister Eliahu Elath last week.
These sources said that the British Government holds to its view that the tripartite agreement of 1950 guaranteeing the borders of the Middle East states from aggression is all the protection that Israel needs and that Britain will not be dissuaded from taking what it considers necessary steps to build up Middle East defenses.
Lord Reading’s recent statement in the House of Lords to this effect is seen as an open reply to Israel. However, more may be heard on this situation this week or next week when two M. P.’s will ask questions in Commons about British arms deliveries to the Arabs.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
