TEL AVIV Ñ Israeli arms exports are said to be in danger in Western
Europe.
Israeli defense sources said several European clients have either
suspended or cancelled contracts signed for the purchase of Israeli weapons
and munitions. They said the Europeans halted deliveries over the last month
in the wake of the Israeli military campaign in the West Bank.
"We are now seeing some difficult problems in our defense exports in
Europe that could affect sales in the years to come," a senior defense
source said. "The prospect is not pretty."
The sources said the delays in ordering Israeli weapons have been felt
in such countries as Belgium, the Republic of Cyprus, France, the
Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland. They said that in some cases, such as
Norway, defense deals are being suspended.
In other cases, the Europeans have suspended efforts to conclude
negotiations of defense contracts. In Switzerland, defense officials have
been banned from arriving in Israel to conclude agreements and negotiate new
deals.
So far, the sources said, no major Israeli sale has been affected. This
includes an estimated $250 million sale of Israel's anti-tank Gil missile to
Holland. The Gil, or Spike missile, is manufactured by Rafael, Israel
Armament Development Authority and a sale was concluded late last year.
On May 24, Greece and Israel discussed defense cooperation. The
discussion took place in Athens between Israel's ambassador to Athens, David
Sasson, and Greek Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou. No details were
reported.
Still, the Israeli sources said the result is that such markets opened
to Israeli weapons Ñ as Britain and Switzerland Ñ are being closed. They
said these and other European countries have been urged by the European
Union not to conclude weapons contracts with Israel.
Instead, the sources said, the EU is encouraging its member states to
buy from Israel's competitors. This means returning to the European
companies defeated by their Israeli counterparts during hard-fought
competitions.
Moreover, several European states have placed new conditions on weapons
sales to Israel. The sources said both Britain and Switzerland require
Israel to pledge that no European weapon is used in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip.
