THE OIL COMPANIES AND ISRAEL SIR, — The Spectator again performs an
important public service by raising its voice in protest against British support for the Arab boycott of Israel which is not only morally wrong but which has been con- demned by the United Nations as illegal.
It is sad that despite all that has happened in the Middle East, the Government should still pursue a policy of appeasement in an .arca where such an attitude is traditionally regarded as one of weakness.
But apart from this consideration the blow which the action of Shelf and BP has struck at Anglo-Israel trade relations is already becoming manifest. Israel imported about f13 million worth of British goods last year. Israel was the first foreign country to pur- chase Bristol Britannia aircraft. Much of her equip- ment for the expansion of the Israel textile industry comes from this country.
Obviously in the development of commercial rela- tions, an atmosphere of mutual confidence and friend- ship is essential. Such an atmosphere cannot exist if one party suspects that arrangements entered into may be upset arbitrarily by the other party for purely political reasons.
Surely Britain's position in the Middle East is not so strong that she can afford to endanger her trade relations with Israel. Yet in so far as Shell and BP are concerned, a large refinery as well as a large marketing organisation is to be destroyed at Britain's behest.
It is, however, still not too late to put matters right. The Government can still retrieve the position by reversing its decision. To do less would be to act in a way that can only harm Britain's true interests.— Yours faithfully, H. PINNER
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