ISRAEL AND GREAT BRITAIN 1948-1973

Britain was responsible for giving birth to twins: the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which it embraced and nurtured, and the State of Israel, which it viewed as ‘misconceived’ and incapable of conducting a ‘mature foreign policy’. At the crux of Britain’s displeasure was Israel’s control of the Negev, which detached its land forces in Jordan and Egypt. Britain’s policy toward Israel was dictated by its dependence on Middle East oil and exports to Middle East countries. Furthermore, there was only one British ambassador serving in Israel, while there were 22 serving in Arab Muslim majority states. Israel’s dilemma was how to balance its condemnation of Britain’s arms sales to Arab states, with its disposition to cooperate with Britain in order to temper Arab hostility toward Israel and help foster moderation in the region.