News
U.S. worried over Israel's weapons sales
By Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 13.06.05, 23:49
Comment Comment
Print comment Print comment
Back to article
6 Talkbacks for this article
1. Fair deal: American veto over Israeli sales to China, for...
Shai ,   Israel   (06.13.05)
Israeli veto over American sales to countries that present a threat to Israel.
2. Israel needs all the friends it can get
David ,   Canada   (06.14.05)
Why do most people find it hard to understand? China is not Israel's enemy. The only reason China supports OTHER countries that hate Israel is because they need energy. Pure and simple. I have met many Chinese people in my life and I have never heard 1 say anything bad about Jewish people, if anything, it was only admiration. But unfortunately for them, if they want access to cheap energy, it means sucking up to Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, etc.. The Chinese also want to curb American power in Asia. While I don't support this, once again it’s only logical for a country to do this. It’s all about protecting your own interests. I support Israel supplying China with military hardware because it will promote a more friendly relationship with them, and that’s a good thing isn't it?? Think about it, friendly ties with a country that has over a billion people who have no anti-Semitic history, economic access to a huge market, etc. Not only does Israel have advanced military hardware expertise to share, but agricultural as well. Jews throughout history have grown to dependant on others for security. Where would Israel be without the US? I seem to remember that at one point Jews were welcomed and prospered in ancient Egypt, but all it takes is one Pharaoh to change his mind and we all go straight to the mud pits. The same could have been said for Germany. Will the US be around forever to help us? I don’t think so. As soon as Americans can’t drive their SUV’s anymore I think they will begin their slow decline. On the other hand, how long has china been around for? 2000 years? Its time For Israel to stop relying on any one country for salvation, and start making other friends in the world. IT IS POSSIBLE!
3. SHAI-
(06.14.05)
NO. The Israelis do not have a choice- here-- unless the Israelis want to lose our support--- the USA is supplying you/ Israel--- got it- supplying you --with your military- via aid, weapons--- you betray us- by selling OUR TECHONOLGY to a vulnerable situation , that endangers the USA- a potential enemy-- then YOU are not to be trusted- make sense? Thoug its a shame world politics are so filled with distrust- thats how it is ,in todays world. I wish humanity was beyond this too- but we obviously are not.
4. RECIPROCITY?
SAMUEL BLAIR ,   BOCA RATON USA   (06.14.05)
CAN ISRAEL DEMAND THAT USA NOT SELL MILITARY ITEMS TO SAUDIINRABIA AND SYRIA. TO GIVE MILLIONS OF US DOLLARS TO ABASS! ISRAEL WOULD BE BETTER OFF IF IT BECAME STRONG FRIENDS WITH CHINA AND RUSSIA. THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THEM! IN FIFTY YEARS THE USA WILL BE KNOWN AS THE HISPANIC REPUBLIC! SHALOM
5. to 3
Shai ,   Israel   (06.14.05)
The two conflicts I'm aware of are the sale to China of the Phalcon, and of the drones. These were technologies developed in Israel, partially with American funding as a means of ensuring that the result of the technological development would be integrated into American equipment if America so chose. So it seems to me that you've simplified the case to the point where it loses its meaning. The real issue is whether Israel has the right to sell technology it develops that the US has helped fund, or even when it hasn't funded it does Israel have the right to sell technology it develops when Israel receives military aid even for programs that aren't related to the specific technology being sold. Remember as well that we had the problem about 25 years ago with the Lavi fighter aircraft, which at the time was a competitor to the recently developed American fighter, the F-6 (I think that's what it was). Basically, the Americans gave Israel an ultimatum, and that was that Israel will NOT build and market the F-6, and it will rather instead receive modified F-6i aircraft from America at risk of having the entire military cooperation of the US whither. The US wouldn't countenance having competition with its products. It was a commercial issue, and the way the US saw it Israel couldn't afford to buck their authority. Israel folded. So I think the whole issue of who's to be "trusted" here is off the mark. That's how it's being presented by some, because of other agendas that aren't related to the three key issues which are: 1) The battle of market share between American and Israeli manufacturers 2) Whether it's in America's interests to allow Israel to forge other alliances that reduce America's control over Israel 3) And I think only last, whether America will be threatened somewhere down the line by technology that Israel, but also others like the Europeans especially (who sell much more to China than Israel), are providing China.
6. weapon sales
Norman   (03.22.07)
US worried? It should also stopped american weapon sales to arab/muslim countries known to be hostile to Israel and to western interests such as Lebanon, Pakistan, Egypt and other governments whose regime is friendly to the US but its population is not. If this despots were overthrown guess what happens next. Take the case of Iran for example.
Back to article