Bribing Israel to Look Away

To help convince Israel that billions of dollars in advanced weapons sales (including smart bombs and air-to-air missiles) to some seven Arab countries will not diminish Israel's "qualitative military edge over any combination of Arab foes" (as the long-standing promise goes), the US reportedly will provide Israel with $30 billion in new weapons of its own over the next decade.

The United States has sought to allay Israeli concerns about the forthcoming package. The senior U.S. defense official said Washington was working on a military assistance deal for Israel expected to top $30 billion during the next decade, a significant increase on current levels.

Rather than take the bait, Israel should take the high road and tell its closest ally, the United States, that the planned weapons sales to the Arabs are counter-productive, will derail efforts to pursue significant reform in these countries, and put in the hands of Israel's enemies the means to threaten Israel's security. Furthermore, the weapons will not deter, as intended, Iran from attacking its neighbors once it acquires nuclear weapons. Rather, the weapons only further fuel the regional arms race.

"This administration does not have an arms sales policy, except to sell, sell, sell," said Daryl G. Kimball of the Arms Control Association. "That approach in the Middle
East can be like throwing gasoline on a brush fire." (Washington Post, July 28, 2007)