De Gaulle Bans Arms To Israel

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31881, 8 January 1969, Page 11

De Gaulle Bans Arms To Israel

(A. Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) PARIS, January 7. An Israeli Embassy spokesman in Paris said last night that France had banned all arms supplies to Israel.

The total ban, extending the present embargo on the sup-1 1 ply of Mirage jet planes to!’ Israel, applies also to spare 1

parts. No official comment is available from French Gov-, eminent officials, but reliable sources say that while there has been no official communication from the Government to Israel, Customs officials are preventing all military material destined for Israel from leaving France by refusing to recognise export permits for them. President de Gaulle has been severely critical of the Israeli attack on Beirut Airport, describing it as "an exaggerated act of violence.” After the outbreak of the six-day Middle East war of June, 1967, General de Gaulle

suspended heavy armament deliveries to all combatants, and later denounced the , Israelis as “self-assured and dominating."

The embargo hit Israel in ; particular: it had ordered and partially paid for 50 Mirage ’fighter-bombers, which were ■ never delivered. The reported ban is seen ■i in Paris as liable to have : more of an immediate politii cal rather than military im- ’ pact. Some Israelis are already describing it as “an- ■ other French stab in the • back.” French aircraft form the ■ backbone of the Israeli Air ■ Force, whose pilots fly the Mirage, Super Mystere, Super Magister and Nord transport craft, among others. At present, Israel has a considerable stockpile of spares. Informed sources say they are sufficient to last i 'many months. '