Georgian Minister: Israel Sold Us Out - by Yaniv Berman
Israel's Foreign Ministry recently issued a recommendation to freeze the sale of Israeli security equipment to Georgia, fearing complications with Russia. Israeli officials believe Russia may interpret the sale of Israeli weapons to Georgia as a move that jeopardizes Russia's security. "Weapons deals in the Caucasus can reflect on weapons deals in the Middle East," Dr. Avinoam Idan, an expert on the Caucasus and Central Asia at the Haifa University told The Media Line.
According to Idan, Israel found itself with a difficult dilemma following the eruption of violence in Southern Ossetia. Russia plays a significant role in security issues in the Middle East, which have a direct effect on Israel. Among them is Russia's supply of weapons to Syria and Iran.
"Since 2000 Israel has supplied about $200-million worth of equipment, especially drones. A few former army officers were also training the Georgian army. The French and American involvement was considerably bigger," added Brudny. According to Brudny, Israel’s final decision regarding the supply of weapons to Georgia would depend on the United States. "If the American administration encourages Israel to sell weapons to Georgia, Israel cannot say no. The kinds of weapons Israel sells to Georgia have American components in them, so I suspect the Bush administration definitely wanted Israel to supply weapons to Georgia," Brudny said.
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