Medical teams, comprised of Israeli experts in medicine and hospital administration, were ready to leave for Algeria, but the teams were disbanded today, following the anti-Israel statement made last Friday by the Algerian Provisional Government, joining the anti-Israel front of other Arab countries.
It was revealed here today that the request to Israel for medical aid was initiated by Algerians some time ago. The lining up with the other Arab nations against Israel was, therefore, considered here as a step taken under pressure from Cairo.
Official quarters here have declined to comment on the Algerian, anti-Israeli statement. But the attitude in Algiers was seen here as leaving no prospects for normal relations between Israel and Algeria. Unofficially, it was pointed out here that Israel did not ask for an exchange of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Israel’s official recognition of independent Algeria a week ago, it was noted, was announced only to prove to African states, friendly to Israel, that Israel was not “pro-French” on the Algerian question.
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