French Premier Charles de Gaulle handed Israel Ambassador Yaacov Tsur a letter for Israel Premier David Ben Gurion last night, it was reported here today. The contents of the missive are secret, but it is known that the general tone was most friendly.
Israel Defense Ministry director Shimon Peress met here today with French War Minister Pierre Guillaumat and senior French defense officials, reportedly seeking credit for the purchase of heavy arms for the Israeli forces. A year ago France sold Israel a considerable quantity of weapons, but on a cash basis.
Commenting on the de Gaulle letter to Mr. Ben Gurion, the Paris newspaper France Soir, warned against exaggerating French friendship for Israel. On the other hand, the newspaper said, it was not wise to go to the other extreme and undervalue this relationship.
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.
