[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> This does not excuse some of their actions but it does explain them.
> The Israelis are distrustful of European Governments and not overly
> confident in the US for good reason.
One clear indicator of this is their arms industry. Israel purchased its
arms from various western nations, but every time there was any sort of
drama, the supplying countries would either (a) hand down an ultimatum
of toe the line or we pull support for your weapons, or (b) just pull
support... The French Mirages of the IAF spent an extraordinary amount
of time grounded because they couldn't spare parts from France.
The Israeli response - they now have a thriving and innovative arms
industry, and their Mirage based fighters were considerably superior to
the Dassault versions flown by France. Many western nations now go arms
shopping in Israel (Australia included). Once the Americans provide
technical help in designing the Merkava tank, they can't withdraw that
help - the Merkava remains in production...
In 1948, the western nation had an arms embargo preventing Israel from
creating an airforce, so they flew ancient aircraft until more could be
smuggled in. The only nation that sold them aircraft was Czechoslovakia!
Ironic that Israel flew Messerschmitt Me109s of the Third Reich to save
their country...
Whatever you might think of Israel, you have to give them credit for
succeeding against the odds...
Russell C.
