S E C R E T TEL AVIV 001814

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2015
TAGS: PREL MCAP MASS CH IS MILITARY RELATIONS GOI EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER CAUTIONS ARMS INDUSTRY ON
CHINA TIES

Classified By: Ambassador Daniel C. Kurtzer; Reasons: 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (S) Israeli Defense Ministry Director General Amos Yaron
told the Ambassador on March 24 that Defense Minister Shaul
Mofaz had strongly cautioned representatives from Israeli
defense firms about ties with China. According to Yaron,
Mofaz said that senior MOD approval is required before
Israeli companies can propose or enter into any deal with
China for military or dual-use items that could be
interpreted as being for military purposes. Yaron said that
he sends the same message to Israeli companies "every day,"
but that industry needed to hear it from the minister himself
in light of current sensitivities with the USG.


2. (U) The Israeli press reported on March 22 that Mofaz
insisted on formal approval by the MOD of "every commercial
contract, anticipated sale or even visits by representatives
of the defense industry companies to China." The article
said that these provisions also apply to civilian equipment
manufactured by Israeli defense firms. The article quoted
Mofaz as saying, "we have made a commitment to the U.S. and I
have no intention of breaking it."

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KURTZER