Diplomatic source: Israel trying to block U.S.-Jordan arms deal

[Violet_Crumble]

Israel is trying to block an American-Jordanian arms deal, a diplomatic source said Saturday. The deal is for AMRAAM air-to-air missiles to be installed in Jordanian airplanes. The source said this is the first time since signing the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan that Israel has tried to stop arms from reaching Jordan.


Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom decided to try to sabotage the deal, fearing that if the U.S. sold the missiles to Jordan, it would ultimately sell them to Egypt as well. Israel is concerned at Egypt arming itself with advanced weapons.


<snip>

The deal is at an advanced stage and the American administration has already asked Congress for approval. The Americans saw no problem in selling Jordan the missiles in view of the good relations it has with Israel and since Israel does not regard Jordan as any significant threat. However, when the issue reached Mofaz's desk about two weeks ago he decided Israel must object.

<snip>

American sources expressed astonishment at Israel's attempt to thwart the deal because Jordan has signed a peace agreement with Israel and its army does not threaten Israel. Certain Israeli officials have also objected to Israel's bid to torpedo the deal. They said sabotaging the deal would damage Israel's relations with Jordan and that it was better not to go against the Americans on a "borderline" issue.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/458433.html

[lefty_mcduff]

1. I guess Israel wants all the good toys for herself.

Be interesting to see if the US caves, especially after the recent flap about Israel selling AWACS planes to India during which the US asked the Israelis to postpone the deal (due to the risk of distabilizing India/Pakistan conflict). Israel thumbed her nose at the US, and the US retracted the request.

[Gimel]

2. Or the China deal

opposed by the US. May go through eventually.