Joanna
Bryan wrote:
>
> Well, um...this is pretty saddening...
>
> I can see this being used as a tool against any future anti-Israel
> policy boycotts proposed: "How can you justify boycotting Israel using
> Apartheid SA as an example when SA is renewing ties with Israel as we
> speak?..."
>
> Not that boycotts have much of a chance of success following the AUT
> fiasco.
>
> Bryan
>
> ---------
>
> Israel, South Africa revive defense ties after 15-year hiatus
> By Yossi Melman, Haaretz Correspondent
>
> http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/objects/pages/PrintArticleEn.jhtml?itemNo=582665
>
>
> Israel and South Africa are resuming security cooperation after a
> hiatus of almost 15 years, with a senior delegation from the South
> African defense ministry due here next week for the first time since
> the fall of the apartheid regime.
>
> The two countries had close security relations during the apartheid
> years, but the ties were severed when white rule in South Africa was
> replaced by a democratic government.
>
> The delegation, which also includes representatives of South Africa's
> defense industries, will be hosted by Defense Ministry Director
> General Amos Yaron. The trip will include visits to Israel's defense
> industries.
>
> A spokeswoman for Israel's Defense Ministry declined to respond when
> asked for comment on the visit.
>
> Off the record, however, local officials said the main topic of
> discussion will be cooperation on civilian projects between defense
> industries in the two countries. For instance, the delegation will
> visit Israel Aircraft Industries' (IAI) Bedek division to discuss
> possible joint ventures in converting civilian passenger planes to
> cargo planes and then marketing them in Asia, Africa and South America
> - all regions where South Africa's aviation industry has connections.
>
> However, the sources added, the intention is also to resume
> cooperation on purely military matters at some stage.
>
> Israel and South Africa had extensive security ties throughout the
> 1960s, `70s and `80s, with Israel serving as one of the apartheid
> government's most important suppliers of arms, know-how and
> technology. Among other things, according to foreign reports, Israel
> helped South Africa's defense industries manufacture radar systems and
> Cheetah fighter jets, which were partly based on IAI's Kfir and Nesher
> planes. Foreign reports also say that the two countries engaged in
> nuclear cooperation during those years.
>
> Since the apartheid regime fell there have been no formal security
> ties, though Israel did give an armored car as a personal gift to
> South Africa's first black president, Nelson Mandela.
>
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