AMERICAN LOAN TO ISRAEL: MAY LIFT EMBARGO ON ARMS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22647, 26 May 1948, Page 5

AMERICAN LOAN TO ISRAEL : MAY LIFT EMBARGO ON ARMS

(N.Z.P.A.—Reuter— Copyright.) (11.15 a.m.) WASHINGTON, May 25. Dr. Chaim Weizmann, President of Israel’s Provisional Government, disclosed today that President Truman had tentatively approved of a loan of between 90,000,(300 and 100,000,000 dollars to Israel.

Dr. Weizmann, who conferred with President Truman this morning, said later: “President Truman gave me hope that tiie United States would lift its arms embargo in the not over-distant future.

* “When I mentioned a loan, President Truman remarked: ‘There would lie no trouble about that because the Jews always pay their debts.’

“The loan is quite small by American standards but it would represent a considerable chunk of money to Israel.” When asked whether the loan would be used for military purposes, Dr. Weizmann replied: “We will have to have a few planes, tanks, and anti-tank guns. We need a great deal of military tackle.” Dr. Weizmann said the loan would also be used to start general reconstruction work, to aid immigration from Europe of 15,000 displaced persons monthly and to build houses. The formal American recognition of Israel and the exchange of diplomatic missions would follow later ' "It is almost incredible that Jerusalem should be invaded by Arab hordes under Christian leadersnip,” he declared in indirect criticism of the British who "have undone the work originally done by Richard Coeur de Lion-” Dr. Weizmann said that Israel’s were prepared to leave Jaffa and Acre as soon as hostilities ceased, but he emphasised that the Jews still thought Jerusalem should be given to them although under the partition plan, it was to be international.

Dr. Weizmann is staying here as the official guest of the United States Government. A tiny Israel flag fluttered from nearly every lamppost in Washington today in honour of his visit.