Lyndon Johnson's Oval Office tapes disclose his deep feelings toward Israel

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Newly released tapes of Lyndon Johnson's Oval Office conversations reveal the American president had a personal and often emotional connection to Israel. The tapes were released to researchers April 1 and presented publicly for the first time at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem on Wednesday. Johnson was known by his initials, LBJ. He was US president from 1963 to 1969, when the United States became Israel's chief diplomatic ally and primary arms supplier. Prof. Robert Johnson says LBJ's attitude influenced his policy decisions and helped lay the foundation for today's special relationship between the two nations. In one conversation, President Johnson says, "I sure as hell want to be careful and not run out on little Israel."