REP. WEXLER DISCUSSES NATO WITH ISRAELI NATIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 001069

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/13/2019
TAGS: PREL PROG KWBG IR UK IS
SUBJECT: REP. WEXLER DISCUSSES NATO WITH ISRAELI NATIONAL
SECURITY ADVISOR UZI ARAD

Classified By: DCM Luis G, Moreno, Reason 1.4 (b) (d)


1. (C) Summary: Opinions vary widely within the GOI
regarding an enhanced relationship with NATO. According to
National Security Adviser Uzi Arad, there are those within PM
Netanyahu's administration who view an enhanced relationship
as a real opportunity, including FM Avigdor Lieberman.
Others have expressed reservations that such an enhanced
relationship might serve to confine or restrain Israel's
freedom of action. Arad noted these disparate views cut
across party lines -- and with no real consensus, the
strategy of former FM Tzipi Livni to gain as much as possible
from the current NATO-Israel relationship continues to hold
with the new government. Arad said PM Binyamin Netanyahu
views Israel's relationship with NATO as a potential method
to "share the burden" in preventing a nuclear-armed Iran.
Arad discussed these issues with Rep. Robert Wexler on May

10. End summary.


2. (C) Representative Robert Wexler (D, Florida),accompanied
by Deputy Chief of Staff Joshua Rogin, Pol Couns, Poloff and
Conoff (notetaker) met with National Security Adviser Uzi
Arad at the Prime Minister's Office on May 10. Dr. Arad
began the meeting by expressing his long-standing interest in
Israel's relationship with NATO, citing his time as the chair
of the Atlantic Forum of Israel. Rep. Wexler asked whether
Arad might be willing to appear at a Congressional hearing on
the subject. Arad expressed some willingness, but added he
could recommend other Israeli experts in the event such an
appearance was not possible.


3. (C) Arad described a lack of consensus within the GOI --
cutting across the political spectrum -- regarding an
enhanced relationship with NATO. Many European security/NATO
skeptics, for example, were interested in closer bilateral
relations with NATO member countries but were concerned with
preserving Israel's freedom of action. Others, including FM
Lieberman, see an enhanced relationship with NATO as an
opportunity. According to Arad, Lieberman has advocated a
NATO peacekeeping role in the Middle East -- including
specifically the Gaza Strip. Arad suggested the goal is to
structure a relationship with NATO that would be "profitable"
for Israel, where gains from partnership outweighed drawbacks.


4. (C) Arad cited the "British model" as an example of the
type of relationship Israel should try to achieve with NATO.
The United Kingdom, he said, is an "advanced and proud"
Western country with nuclear deterrent capabilities that
enjoys a special relationship with the United States -- and
yet, the UK maintains a very active and independent role in
NATO. He suggested the British never felt that this
arrangement limits freedom of action, and added this is the
type of model Israel should strive to emulate.


5. (C) Arad acknowledged that the relationship with NATO was
a matter greatly debated in Israel, with views ranging from
support for full membership and its collective defense
implications under Article 5, to complete autonomy. He noted
that many Israeli officials are skeptical that some European
member states would come to the defense of Israel -- let
alone Eastern European members states -- in the event of an
attack. Former FM Livni, Arad said, endorsed a "full
strategic partnership" with NATO that fell just shy of
Article 5 implications. Arad added, however, that these
views are not widely supported currently in the GOI.


6. (C) Arad said that PM Netanyahu viewed an Israeli
relationship with NATO as "a necessary layer" against the
nuclear capabilities of Iran, i.e., one stabilizer for an
unstable situation. In this way, the issue of Iran would
become a shared burden and thus "certain
mutually-advantageous activities" could be implemented.
According to Arad, Netanyahu sees the NATO-Israeli
relationship as a potential "safety net" preventing Iran from
"going nuclear." Arad added that Netanyahu also sees value
in the NATO-Israeli relationship as a partnership of
"like-minded nations," regardless of the Iranian factor.


7. (C) Arad said that while not all IDF leadership was on
board with an enhanced relationship with NATO, a notable
exception is CHOD Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi, who is "intrigued" by
this possibility. Ashkenazi has participated in several
meetings with his NATO counterparts, and has seen firsthand
the usefulness of collaboration. According to Arad,
Ashkenazi's predecessor Gen. Halutz "had difficulty" seeing
this potential -- which partially explains why he no longer
holds the job. Arad also mentioned that Uri Ne'eman was the
MOD's top expert on NATO. As there was no time on the
Congressman's schedule for a briefing by Ne'eman, Arad
instructed an aide to have Ne'eman prepare a written brief
and send it to Rep. Wexler.



8. (U) Rep. Wexler did not have the opportunity to clear this
cable.

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