Reports that the Carter Administration is considering establishing an American military base, possibly a naval base near the port of Haifa, could not be confirmed today. Officials were not available for comment because of the July 4 holiday. According to the reports, the base is one of a number of proposals for demonstrating America’s commitment to Israel. It was also cited as one of a variety of moves to reassure the new Israeli government of U.S. support.
Some sources here thought it unlikely that any official statement from the White House on this report would be forthcoming in view of President Carter’s statement last Thursday at his press conference that the U.S. Mideast policy has been put under wraps until after he meets with Israeli Premier Menachem Begin July 19-20.
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.
