ISRAEL UNDER PRESSURE TO BACK VIETNAM WAR —
The Israeli government is reported to becoming increasingly irritated over the heavy pressure from the Johnson. administration to line up.and make a gesture. of sufficient significance in support of the escalation of the. war.in Vietnam so. that the Israelis can be listed among the "Allies." o-
Particularly embarrassing to Israeli officials were the revelations of the South Vietnamese ambassador in Washington that Johnson had urged Ky to avail himself of the know-how of the Israelis in setting up, peasant soldier. villages. -
The same ambassador even went so far as to spill the ‘beans about a:..secret conference between Israeli and South Vietnamese emissaries- in Bangkok. : In * view of, the unfavorable publicity resulting from these revelations , the Israeli government felt compelled to indicate a . hands-off attitude. A statement was issued saying that Israel was’! not. contemplating sending any. experts to Vietnam.
23.