MIDDLE EAST AIR POWER

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27874, 24 January 1956, Page 11

MIDDLE EAST AIR POWER

Complaint By Jews In Britain (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, January 22. British Jews claimed today that the balance of armaments between Egypt and Israel had been tipped in Egypt’s favour by the recent delivery of 32 British Centurion tanks. The leaders of Britain’s 400.000 Jews, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, made the claim after their monthly board meeting. The statement said that the tanks were reconditioned and sent to Egypt on orders from the Ministry of Supply in London. The statement called on the Prime Minister (Sir Anthony Eden) to do do everything possible in his forthcoming talks in Washington with Mr Eisenhower to bring about direct negotiations between the parties involved in the Middle East. The negotiations should be held ■without any prior conditions “with a view to an eventual peace settlement," the statement said. Earlier today, the President of the World Jewish Congress (Dr. Nahum Goldmann) said that Egypt has received jet bombers from Czechoslovakia, which could bomb Israeli cities within eight minutes of the takeoff. Dr. Goldmann told the executive of the congress: “Egypt has superiority in the air. “Czechoslovakia has delivered large numbers of jet bombers and fighters to Egypt, the like of which does not exist in any other Middle Eastern country—certainly not Israel,” he said. Israel had no jet fighters for defence. The balance of power should be restored so that Israel could defend herself, said Dr. Goldmann. Dr. Goldmann said that the congress executive was discussing how best to mobilise Jewish strength and resources throughout the world to help Israel in a situation which was deteriorating.