Memorandum on Pressure in Campaign for Tanks for Israel
(May 11, 1964)
This document emphasizes the extraordinary pressure
the U.S. was under vis a vis the issue of selling tanks to Israel. The U.S. was reluctant to sell tanks and the Administration
pressured Congress, the Jewish press, and leaders of the Jewish community
to be silent on the issue to curry favors with the administration.
Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Counsel
(Feldman) to President Johnson1
Washington, May 11, 1964.
SUBJECT
Tanks for Israel
I have rarely been exposed to as much pressure as I have had recently
on the question of tanks for Israel.
It has been only after considerable effort that members of Congress
have been restrained against making speeches on the question, the Anglo-Jewish
press has killed several articles, and responsible leaders of the Jewish
community have demonstrated their confidence in the Administration by
keeping silent.
I call this to your attention at this time because the pressure continues
to mount and I believe we should prepare our position as soon as possible
so that we may be able either to (1) take advantage of any favorable
decision or (2) counter any adverse decision.
I believe the various Government departments concerned are now ready
with their recommendations, and I am ready with mine.
Myer Feldman2
Notes
1 Source: Johnson Library, National Security File,
Country File, Israel, Tanks, Vol. I. No classification marking. A handwritten
"L" on the memorandum indicates the President saw it. A handwritten
note by Walter Jenkins reads: "Mac--President says pls talk to
Feldman and LBJ about this." In a May 13 telephone conversation,
Bundy asked Johnson's approval to have Senator Abraham Ribicoff and
New York banker Abraham Feinberg tell Ambassador Harman and any Jewish
leader they thought necessary that public discussion of the question
of tanks for Israel would be counterproductive. It would "make
life tough for our British friends," Bundy commented, if it looked
"as if we were passing the buck to them." He told Johnson
that he was with Ribicoff, who was willing "to try and keep things
buttoned up" if Johnson wanted. Johnson approved, saying, "I
want him to stop everybody that's talking about it." (Johnson Library,
Recordings and Transcripts, Recording of Telephone Conversation Between
Johnson and Bundy, May 13, 1964, 3:35 p.m., Tape F64.26, Side B, PNO
7)
2 Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.
Sources: Department of State |