Israel blocks arms sales to Georgia
Published: 10 August, 2008, 16:52
Edited: 08 November, 2009, 18:23
Israel is to stop selling military equipment to Georgia after a complaint from Moscow. The arms ban includes sales of unmanned spy planes – several of which have been shot down over Abkhazia during recent tensions between Georgia and its breaka
The Ministry of Defence in Israel imposed the weapons embargo after ministers in Jerusalem received complaints from Russia. The ban prohibits the sale of Hermes 450 UAV spy drones, made by Elbit Maarahot Systems Ltd.
The decision to cut the trade is thought to be linked to growing tensions in the Caucasus and Russia’s reaction to flights of unmanned drones over the demilitarized zone between the Georgia and Abkhazia.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livny is reported to have reluctantly made the decision to cut arms supplies to Tbilisi after consultations with Russia.
Moscow reminded the Israeli government that it had refrained from selling certain kinds of weapons to states that could threaten Israel. Russia said it had every right to expect Jerusalem to reciprocate the goodwill.
With tension rising in Georgia’s breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Israel’s leadership has been facing a tricky choice between Russia and Georgia.
Russia’s barely hidden threat had the desired effect and Jerusalem opted for a ban on arms sales to Georgia.
Georgia has become a real goldmine for Israeli arms dealers, who will suffer because of the embargo.
Tbilisi had placed orders with several Israeli military manufacturers. Among the weaponry ordered were 70 million rifle cartridges, Merkava tanks, APCs, helicopters, UAVs, fire control systems and night-vision devices.
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It is tragic dilemma when Israel has to compromise its values to survive. Georgia and Israel are small countries and are dependent of super powers. When Bush and Obama failed to defend Israel from Iran, Israel had to try to negotiated with Russia, asking them not to provide missiles to Iran against Israel. The jury is out. So far I am not sure it is working. Russians are getting very close to Iran. Similarly with Turkey, Israel never recognized the Holocaust against the Armenians to benefit Turkey. The results are bad . Turkey has turn Islamic and is now against Israel.
Does anybody out there see this. Israel is told by the US to stop building settlements in the West Bank, specifically, East Jerusalem. Today, the Euro national Jewish state, tells the Obama administration they plan to build in those areas anyway. This despite efforts at reviving peace talks with the Palestinians. Yet, when the Russians say stop arming the Georgians, or else, the Jewish state, stopped. What is the message we in the US should learn. This is proof again of the arrogance of that gov't. They tremble at the thought of a Russian invasion into their homeland. The history speaks volumes of what the Russians will do to them, if they act in defiance to the bear. But to the eagle, their is no fear of historical experience or reference. So like children they continue to push their US parents, to see what they can get away with. Hey Israel!, No means no!
Perhaps George Bush "encouraged" the Israelis to arm Georgia so that the US is not seen to be doing so itself. Israel from its inception has been regarded by many as the USA's agent in the Middle East