Israel wants to buy US missile defense system

[cali]

By STEVE WEIZMAN – 1 hour ago

JERUSALEM (AP) — Defense Minister Ehud Barak hopes to buy a U.S. missile defense system to protect Israeli towns from short-range rockets and mortar fire, defense officials said Tuesday.

Barak plans to ask U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates to sell Israel the Vulcan-Phalanx cannon and radar system when he visits Washington in June, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the request has not yet formally been made.

The Vulcan-Phalanx — manufactured by U.S. company Raytheon Co._ is to be integrated into a multilayer defense umbrella that will include Israel's Iron Dome and two other missile systems being developed with the United States, the officials said.

During Israel's recent military offensive into the Gaza Strip, Palestinians there fired rockets more than 28 miles (45 kilometers) into Israel. They continue to lob mortar shells across the border.

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http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iVqjXPWQGE0sY-00wrn_8YksbwJwD97MO6BG1

[no_hypocrisy]

1. There appears to be a blurry line b/n defense and aggression.

I'm not certain anymore whether sales of missiles and other war technology to Israel isn't allowing their military to expand the country's borders, claim territory in dispute, and displace a group of people who are dispossesed of society of their choice. Not to mention the same missiles could be used to instigate a situation with Iran. Providing Israel with more than enough arms to do so makes this country a fascilitator.