ISRAEL'S NEW DEFENSE EXPORT CONTROL ACT ENTERS

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 000055 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ETTC KNNP KOMC IS SUBJECT: ISRAEL'S NEW DEFENSE EXPORT CONTROL ACT ENTERS INTO FORCE ¶1. (SBU) On December 31, Israeli MFA Export Control Department Director Haim Waxman informed poloff that that the Knesset had just passed the implementing regulations for Israel's new Defense Export Control Act (DECA),a law enhancing Israel's export control system that was passed on July 17. Waxman said that the implementing regulations include various control lists (which identify which exports require export licenses),the procedures on how to apply for export licenses, and how to appeal refusals. The regulations also reportedly detail exemptions from export licenses, and procedures by which Israel's MOD coordinates with the MFA on export licensing. Waxman estimated that there were between 10-13 control orders (the equivalent of our executive orders) passed by the Knesset. ¶2. (SBU) Waxman clarified that this important step in the legislative process does not complete everything that needs to be done (e.g., there are still some regulations and control orders that need to be finalized pending agreement by various elements of Israel's defense industry),and that this is an "interim solution." Nevertheless, Waxman stressed that the DECA had entered into force, and that the bulk of the implementing regulations had been passed by the deadline set (December 31, 2007). He pointed out that since the DECA's passage earlier in the year, Israel's export control system has been operating as if the DECA had already entered into force. ¶3. (SBU) Embassy is attempting to obtain copies of the implementing regulations and will provide them to NEA/IPA at Main State. ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** MORENO