After lengthy negotiations begin in 1958 to broker a deal to receive ground-to-air, anti-aircraft missiles, Israel is believed to become the first non-NATO nation to obtain this weapons system. Initially, the Eisenhower administration tries to lure Nasser away from the Soviets. In doing so, Washington does not want to unbalance its leverage with Egypt by arming the Israelis, particularly with advanced weapons systems. By the end of 1962, wanting to entice Israel to make progress on the refugee issue and detour them from developing nuclear weapons (a process well underway), the Kennedy administration agrees to provide Tel Aviv the Hawk Missiles. Israel does not stop its nuclear development nor does it consent or apply any accommodation to accept Palestinian refugees.
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