122. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Jones) to the Secretary of State1
SUBJECT
- Israeli Arms Request
On February 9 the Israel Embassy delivered the attached note (Tab A)2 concerning Israel’s need for arms. This is the note which Foreign Minister Meir in a conversation with you last September indicated would be forthcoming (Tab B).3
I think you will find the note worth reading, particularly since this is a subject about which we may be hearing a great deal between now and next November. The note is skillfully drafted. The Israel Embassy says every word was carefully weighed, as was every item in the list of military items.
Briefly, the note contends that because of the heavy influx of Soviet arms to the Arab countries, particularly to the United Arab Republic, Israel has no choice but to seek a “qualitative equilibrium” in arms during the next two to three years. Reference is made to a communication from Mr. Dulles to Prime Minister Ben Gurion in August 1958 (Tab C)4 which the Israelis interpret to mean we will be sympathetic to their efforts to maintain deterrent military capabilities. [Page 264] The note makes a flat request either for arms on a grant basis or the equivalent in economic assistance which will enable Israel to purchase the arms elsewhere.
The arms list is quite formidable. It includes nearly 100 aircraft of the latest models, 530 tanks, 300 armored cars, 60 howitzers, 250 recoilless rifles, 600 missiles of the Sidewinder and Hawk types, 2 small submarines and a large quantity of electronic equipment. Our guess would be that the Israelis do not really expect us to provide the heavy equipment. They probably feel we might be willing, however, to provide their electronic needs and then to some extent subsidize through indirect means their purchase of aircraft and heavy armament from French or other non-American sources.
In presenting the note, the Israelis expressed the intention of making their case known to key officials in the State Department and the Defense Department. Ambassador Harman will call on me shortly and then he hopes to discuss Israel’s arms needs with Deputy Under Secretary Hare and Under Secretary Merchant. No doubt he will be discussing this subject with you also. We have indication from other sources that the Ambassador is also making appointments with Senator Fulbright and other key leaders in Congress. Undoubtedly this will be one of the principal subjects on Prime Minister Ben Gurion’s mind when he visits Washington on March 10.
As you know, our traditional policy has been that we not become a major supplier of arms to any of the countries of the Near East. While we believe we should adhere to this policy, we also believe a thorough study of the Israeli note is in order. Accordingly, we are: (a) obtaining a thorough assessment from Defense and other sources of the Israeli contention that the United Arab Republic military build-up is a serious threat to Israel, (b) asking the Defense Department to put price tags on the various military items requested and determine their availability, and (c) examining possibilities for modest increments in PL 480 or DLF aid which might be available in the formulation of our response to this well-organized Israeli approach.
We shall keep you posted as to further developments.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 784A.56/2–1260. Secret. Drafted by Meyer; initialed by Jones and Herter; and sent through S/S.↩
- None of the tabs is attached to the source text. A copy of Tab A is ibid., 784A.56/2–960.↩
- See Documents 91 and 92.↩
- Document 32.↩