Sen. James McClure (R.Idaho) implied here yesterday that Israel should not expect to get all of the $2.5 billion in American economic and military aid it has requested. Arriving here on a three-day visit, McClure noted that Israel’s request came at a time of severe economic difficulties in the U.S.
He said that while he believed U.S. support for Israel would continue, there were indications of reluctance among Americans to continue massive military assistance to Israel, especially in view of the controversy over the continuation of such assistance to South Vietnam and Cambodia.
The Senator also expressed doubt that Congress would agree to send American troops to assist Israel in the event of a new outbreak of war in the Middle East. McClure was scheduled to meet with Premier Yitzhak Rabin today. He will visit Saudi Arabia, Iran and Algiers after leaving Israel.
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