Getting the Better of the Bargain: Technical Intelligence, Arms Sales, and Anglo-Israeli Relations 1967–1974

This analysis explores the nature of Anglo-Israeli intelligence relations between 1967 and 1974, focusing in particular on how legacy British mandate Palestine, influence senior diplomats, as well wider commercial interests shaped attempts by officials both sides to move this relationship beyond purely functional. Whilst Israel looked barter access recently captured Soviet equipment for greater collaboration with weapons development arms sales, London demurred. Despite urging some Whitehall, Foreign Commonwealth Office limited any functional exchanges kept them firmly shadows. The aftermath October 1973 war revealed price paid Britain. With now dependent Washington bulk its military equipment, London’s ability exercise over Tel Aviv reaching an accommodation Arab neighbours diminished greatly.