US embassy cable - 05TELAVIV1814

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