Lewis Urges Israel to Become Less Economically Dependent on the U.S.

U.S. Ambassador Samuel Lewis told a group of businessmen here that “Israel today is for too dependent on the United States for Israel’s own good and for the good of the U.S.” He observed that “Your leaders have recently been saying that it is crucial, to region your economic independence so that you are not subject to the vagaries of American policy makers,” and added; “I could not agree more.”

Lewis spoke at a Rotary Club luncheon today on tome aspects of American-Israeli relations. He suggested that one way for Israel to move toward economic independence would be to try to reduce its huge trade deficit with the U.S.

“Dependence produces frustration,” the American envoy said, “frustration here because it is contradictory to the feeling of independence and achievements; frustration in the United States because human beings, being what they are, an American con easily believe that because we help Israel so much, Israel should do what we think best, and Israel frequently doesn’t, and we get frustrated.” He said economic independence could not be achieved “if your requirements depend on the good will of another nation, be it as friendly as mine.” (By Yitzhak Shargil)