'Israel' refuses to arm Ukraine fearing weapons would end up with Iran

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Jun 2023 01:03

Netanyahu praised the former government's policy towards Ukraine in maintaining distance from being involved in weapon supplies and providing only 'humanitarian and political' support to Kiev.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on as he convenes a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, May 7, 2023 (AP)

During the Knesset committee meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that "Israel's" reluctance about supplying Ukraine with arms is for fear of them being recycled to Iran. Iran acquiring sensitive Israeli military technology could endanger "Israel's" security, Israeli news website Walla! reported citing several deputies present at the meeting.

Netanyahu revealed has recurrently requested air and missile defense systems such as the Iron Dome, however, the occupation government turned them down for fear of them being captured by Russian forces who would then hand them over to Iran.

Surprisingly, Netanyahu praised the former government's policy towards Ukraine in maintaining distance from being involved in weapon supplies and providing only humanitarian and political support to Kiev.

The occupation prime minister noted that "Israel" and Russia are in contradiction in regard to the war in Ukraine. He added that a "quiet dialogue" is underway with the Russian government to discuss the conflict "honestly and openly", the report noted.

Netanyahu added that both sides had complaints: whereby, Russia is concerned about Israel's support for Ukrainian forces, while Israel is concerned about military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran, the report added.

Earlier today, Israeli media revealed that hundreds of old Merkava tanks are on their way to Europe, in light of increased demand for them because of diminishing arsenal stocks due to the war in Ukraine.

"40 years after being employed by the Israeli army, hundreds of second and third-generation Merkava tanks are expected to be sold to two foreign countries, including for the first time to a European country," YNet reported.

"These tanks have ceased to be used in recent years, and they are stored in maintenance facilities, but after the break out of the war in Ukraine and the renewed demand for armored war vehicles, they were tested and found suitable enough for sale."

The report said the Israeli Ministry of Security "is expected to approve the selling of 2nd and 3rd generation Merkava tanks, which were manufactured in Israel, in the eighties and nineties, and were decommissioned in recent years, to two foreign countries, one of which is in Europe."

The Ministry, according to YNet, did not specify the names of the two countries that "agreed to purchase more than 200 used Israeli tanks, due to the sensitivity of the process." However, it was specified that the deal is on the brink of being signed and is expected to be signed within 3 months.

Officials in the Israeli Ministry of Security said that "since some of the mechanical parts in these tanks are US-made, the engine in particular, the approval of the Ministry of Defense in Washington is required to implement the deal."