Israeli Arms Exports to China of Growing Concern to U.S.

Arms Control Association ^

[RCW2001]

Wade Boese

The United States has reportedly increased pressure on Israel about its arms sales to China, and Israel has given assurances that it will not export any item that could harm U.S. security, according to U.S. and Israeli officials in January.

U.S. concerns about Israeli arms sales to China have existed for more than a decade and came to a head in July 2000 when the United States persuaded Israel to cancel the sale of the Phalcon, an advanced, airborne early-warning system, to China. Afterward, U.S.-Israeli differences over arms sales to China publicly receded but resurfaced in early January when the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz reported that the United States had recently asked Israel to end all arms sales to China.

U.S. and Israeli officials have not publicly confirmed whether the United States made such a request, but State Department spokesman Richard Boucher suggested that the Israeli-Chinese arms trade is a continuing problem. He said January 2 that it is an “ongoing subject of discussion” between the United States and Israel. He further stated that the subject “comes up regularly” and there is a “need for any suppliers of weaponry to be considerate and concerned about the strategic situation in a region that’s of great sensitivity and importance to us.” The United States is a strong supporter of Taiwan, which Beijing is seeking to reunify with the Chinese mainland.

China, according to the Associated Press, issued a written statement January 3 declaring, “No country has the right to interfere in the developing military trade cooperation between China and Israel.”

When asked whether Israel had halted all arms sales to China, a spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Ministry replied January 8, “Defense relations between Israel and China require from time to time consideration of specific issues. This revision [sic] is conducted vis-à-vis China and on concrete issues also vis-à-vis the U.S., bearing in mind American sensitivity.”

Another Israeli official, who asked to remain anonymous, explained in an interview January 8 that Israel is committed to refraining from exports that would harm U.S. security. The official suggested, however, that Israel would continue to sell some military equipment to China that is readily available on the global arms market.

One nongovernmental expert in Washington familiar with the issue, who also wished to remain anonymous, said his impression is that the United States is seeking to curtail Israeli arms sales to China to the greatest extent possible, while Israel is seeking minimum restraint on its exports.

The largest recipient of U.S. aid, Israel first approached China about possible arms deals in 1979, reportedly hoping to win some Chinese restraint in arms sales to Israel’s neighbors and enemies.

[anobjectivist]

I really don't see a problem with small arms exports to china as long as they go into the hands of citizens...not military.

[Texas_Jarhead]

It's simple really. If Israel is doing things against our national interest then how 'bout we partially or completely terminate the $8B annually.

Sometimes, it seems GB are the only folks that are our true allies.

[HighRoadToChina]

BUMP!

[Jhoffa_]

I don't think termination of these weapons sales is an unreasonable thing to ask.. All things considered.

[bribriagain]

"Sometimes, it seems GB are the only folks that are our true allies."

Amen.

[vishnu2]

So much for our "allies" in Israel. It is well known in government circles (e.g., DARPA) that the any technological secret we share with the Israelis is immediately sold to the Chinese. This article just provides independent confirmation.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Let hitlery talk for the jews
After all they helped elect her.

[KickRightRudder]

Israel is not our ally! There is no signed agreement. They will sell out the US if the issue is is important enough. Remember the quote by Sharon last year,to For.Min Peres, that made the wires..."don't worry about America,we CONTROL them." Peres told him to shut up because people overheard the conversation.

I regret the weakness and lack of will by our government. I think that is all the needs to be said.

[rmlew]

I hate to tell you but GB is giving weapons to China and US companies are moving weapons plants to China. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/855573/posts
Israel is a major arms exporter. (It needs to be. It has a small domestic market. However, it has allowed the US to dictate what weapons it can sell.
This article is complaining about a policy that it admitts is fixed. RCW2001 is simply trying to hurt Israel. Pay attention.

[rmlew]

Let hitlery talk for the jews After all they helped elect her.
Teh Jewish vote was rather divided. Hillary got 53% of the Jewish vote. That is below both the Protestant, Catholic, and Muslim tallies.

[rmlew]

How long is it before Israeli technology is given to Egypt and Jordan by the US and sold to the Gulf States?

Israel and the US need to sit down adn talk like adults about technology. Istead they are playing stupid games.
Israel seeks Chinese support. (Although China will reverse engineer the weapons and sell them to the Arabs) Likewise the Arabs and Pakistanis sell US weapons to China.
The US won't declare China an enemy and Israel won't tell the SU to stop giving top-line weapons to the Arabs.

[Texas_Jarhead]

I am aware of the goins-on with regard to Red China. I do not believe that the problem has been fixed. I am paying attention I just happen to disagree with your assessment.

[Texas_Jarhead]

"Likewise the Arabs and Pakistanis sell US weapons to China."

That's why the fleet of F-16s was never delivered to Pakistan.

"The US won't declare China an enemy and Israel won't tell the SU to stop giving top-line weapons to the Arabs."

Boy don't I know it. I wish we had a government that would askwoledge the threat that the ChiComs represent. As to the Arabs. The US didn't start providing "top-line" weapons to then until the peace initiates (primarily Camp David). Without providing the Arabs with miliatry H/W it would be politically dificult to provide Israel with any either. In peace talks the Arabs said, "stop providing Israel with weapons" to which we said, "we will not, but we will provide you with some as well". If you were on that hot seat what would you say?

[rmlew]

That quote was made up by Palestinian Information Center. They claim Kol Yisrael published the story, but there is no evidence for it.
Islamic Association For Palestine (a HAMAS front) published the story. Of course the Arab-owned Washington Report picked it up, followed by every anti-semitic site out there.

[rmlew]

Camp David?
The US sold top-line weapons to the Arab countries starting in the 1950's. (During the same time, the US did not sell weapons to Israel.) Ike was down right pro-Arab. He forced teh end of thej Suez War.

[Texas_Jarhead]

right but the big money (interchangeable with weapons) broke out in the 70s.

"Ike was down right pro-Arab."
I find this an interesting statement. Your implication is that America cannot or should not support Arab states. Perhaps the difference between us is that politically I don't care whom we support so long as it is in America's best interest. Be that Arabs, Israelies, Chinese or whomever.

[rmlew]

1. Losing an arguement? You can always slander your opponent. I'm disloyal?
2. Ike was dead wrong. (Liberal Republican being wrong. Shocking!) The Arabs responded by nationalising US property and alliegning with the Soviets.

[Texas_Jarhead]

hey chief, I never said you were disloyal. I ain't gonna go down this stupid road with you. I don't know much about Ike's policies towards Arab nations. I am a staunch supporter of Israel but it's not a blind support. Which brings me back to the original topic - China. I hope you are right about xfers to China but somehow I am unconvinced. Boy it's never easy to criticize Israel around here 'cause it seems a conservative Jew will tag you with the anti-Semitic tag just as quick as a liberal one. Also, telling people in that derogatory manner to 'pay attention' certainly doesn't start a dialog off on the right foot. Each time I try to engage is a critical discussion (and maybe learn something) about Israel it never goes well. Probably all my fault. FReegards.

[Texas_Jarhead]

before you mention it. You never said I was anti-Semitic and I was not insinuating that you did.