Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel is said to have been stunned by the U.S. decision
to export advanced weapons to Egypt.

Officials said the Israeli military and Defense Ministry have been
closely monitoring a spate of recent U.S. arms sales to Egypt.

Officials said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have raised the issue repeatedly with U.S. leaders. They said Egypt failed to use U.S. military aid to stabilize the Sinai Peninsula, which has turned into a staging ground for attacks against the Jewish state.

“U.S. financial support to Egypt, following the peace with Israel, could be terminated if the peace treaty is canceled,” Netanyahu told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Jan. 16. “It is clear to us that all we knew in Egypt under Mubarak’s regime is not what will be in the future, and there will be wide security implications.”

Israeli officials said the U.S. weapons exports would significantly bolster Egypt’s army and navy as the
military regime becomes allied with the Muslim Brotherhood, which rejects
the peace treaty with Israel.

“Washington is pretending that [President Hosni] Mubarak is still in
power and can keep the military on a pro-Western course,” an official said.

In late 2011, the Defense Department granted contracts for
the export of the U.S.-origin Harpoon advanced anti-ship missile and the
M1A1 main battle tank. Officials said the administration of President Barack
Obama has ignored appeals by Israel to adopt a cautious approach toward
post-Mubarak Egypt.

Officials said the administration has determined that the new military
regime in Cairo would continue a pro-U.S. policy as well as honor the peace
treaty with Israel. But they said many in Congress disagree with the White
House assessment and warned that the Brotherhood has become the new
political power in the aftermath of parliamentary elections.

A key concern by Israel was that the administration would accede to an
Egyptian demand to accelerate procurement of 20 F-16 Block 52+ fighter-jets
from Lockheed Martin. Officials said the administration, despite Israel’s
urging, has pledged to Cairo to proceed with the F-16 project and begin
deliveries over the next 18 months.

“Egypt today faces no threat from its neighbors, but wants to engage in
an arms race with us,” another official said. “This is dangerous.”

  Barack Obama, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ehud Barak, Hosni Mubarak, Israel questions U.S. arms exports to post-Mubarak Egypt, Knesset, Sinai Peninsula, U.S. Defense Department