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July 1, 2009:
The Egyptian military is reportedly interested in purchasing the Russian-manufactured S-300 and S-400 air defense systems. The S-300, which is highly effective against aircraft, is capable of tracking up to 100 targets simultaneously, while engaging up to 12 at the same time. The S-300 has a range of approximate range of 200 km and is able to hit targets at altitudes of 27,000 meters. The advanced S-400 (400 km range) counters aircraft, long-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. Israeli defense officials claim Egypt's interest in the Russian air defense systems is not directly connected to Israel, but conceeded that the S-300 and S-400 would have an impact in the event of a future conflict. Indeed, an anonymous official noted that "this is Egypt's answer to the Iranians' growing missile capability." WeaponSurvey Assessment: Expressing concern over the threat of Iranian missiles is simply a guise to deflect US and Israeli criticism. Both Jerusalem and Washington are undoubtedly aware of Cairo's intention to bolster its air force and relevant defense platforms in an attempt to achieve parity with the IAF. Unlike Israel, Egypt does not face an existential threat from neighboring states. Both Sudan and Libya maintain minimal armies, with an arsenal of aging Soviet tanks and Migs dating back to the 1960's. Nevertheless, Egyptian military expenditure has risen significantly over the past decade. Currently, the Egyptian Air Force includes 240 U.S.-manufactured F-16's and Apache helicopters slated for a Longbow upgrade. Cairo also maintains Abrams tanks and frigates as well as missiles boats from Holland, Spain and the United States. Since 1996, three years after the Oslo Accords were signed with the Palestinian Authority, the majority of general military exercises undertaken by the Egyptian army have simulated war against Israel. Indeed, the 1996 Badar Exercises involved "a little country northeast of Egypt." In addition, indoctrination of new Egyptian officers focuses on preparation for a possible future war against Israel. Dr. Yuval Steinitz: "Egypt has invested billions in relocating its military infrastructures so they are opposite Israel. Initially its surface-to-surface missiles were scattered across Egypt, whereas now they are massed against us in the Suez Canal region. The same holds for the logistics facilities and ammunition dumps. Everything is concentrated on the two sides of the Suez Canal...If it looks like preparations for a military confrontation and sounds like preparations for a military confrontation, then maybe it really is preparations for a military confrontation against Israel." (Yaakov Katz "Egypt Interested in S-400 to Counter Iranian Missiles," Jerusalem Post, July 1, 2009; Aharon Etengoff, "Analysis: Egpytian Military Eyes S-300," WeaponSurvey, July 1, 2009). July 1, 2009:
Defense Minister Ehud Barak and US special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell have failed to reach an agreement regarding Israeli construction in Judea and Samaria (West Bank). Joint statement: "[The two] discussed the full range of issues related to Middle East peace and security and the contributions Israelis, Palestinians, their neighbors and the international community should make to this effort. "Specifically, their discussions covered a wide range of measures needed to create a climate conducive to peace. These included measures on security and incitement by the Palestinians, steps by Arab states toward normalization with Israel; and, from Israel, actions on access and movement in the West Bank and on settlement activity. The discussions were constructive and will continue soon." (Yitzhak Benhorin, "Barak, Mitchell Remain Disputed on Settlements," YnetNews, July 1, 2009). July 1, 2009:
Moshe Arens: "The right of Jews to live in Judea and Samaria is a basic principle not subject to negotiations. There is more at stake here than mere rights to natural growth. Britain tried to abrogate these rights in the infamous MacDonald White Paper of May 1939. That document ended up in the trash bin of history. "The Arab Legion tried to deny this right from 1948-1967, after destroying the Jewish settlements in the area, only to be driven out in the Six-Day War. And today, too, no coalition of friends or foes is going to succeed in this endeavor. The Israel prime minister has to make this crystal clear. The gauntlet has been dropped and it has to be taken up. "Succumbing to the pressure that is being applied on the settlement issue will only result in additional pressure on other issues, and before long Israel's position on matters of principle and substance will begin to crumble. This is not going to be easy, but Israel's staunch supporters in the U.S. will stand by it. It will be a test for the American Jewish leadership - and for the people of Israel." (Moshe Arens, "Obama Sweet-Talks Dictators, Yet Strong-Arms Israel," Ha'aretz, June 30, 2009). June 30, 2009:
June 30, 2009:
In the last hour, an Israeli Navy force intercepted, boarded, and took control of the cargo boat 'Arion,' which was bearing the flag of Greece and was illegally attempting to enter the Gaza Strip. The boat departed from Cyprus yesterday. Yesterday evening, the Israeli Navy contacted the boat while at sea, clarifying that it would not be permitted to enter Gazan coastal waters because of security risks in the area and the existing naval blockade. Disregarding all warnings made, the cargo boat entered Gazan coastal waters. As a result of the actions taken by the boat crew, an Israeli Navy force intercepted, boarded, and took control of the boat, directing it towards Ashdod, Israel. No shots were fired during the boarding of the boat. The boat crew will be handed over to the appropriate authorities. Humanitarian goods found on board the boat will be transferred to the Gaza Strip, subject to authorization. The IDF Spokesperson Unit would like to emphasize that any organization or country that wishes to transfer humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, can legally do so via the established crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip with prior coordination. ("Cargo Boat Attempting Illegal Entry to Gazan Coastal Waters Intercepted," IDF Spokesperson's Office, June 30, 2009). June 30, 2009:
During Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, females who served as weapons instructors during their regular service were called to reserve duty. They instructed combat soldiers minutes before entering the battlefield by giving quick reminders to refresh their memories. Due to the success of the draft, it was decided that these female weapons instructors would be drafted on a regular basis to the reserve forces. The Ground Forces decided to establish a mandatory reserve draft of female weapons instructors, in order to create a pool of reserve instructors ready to act when necessary. The weapons instructors will serve during their reserve duty under a new department, the Training Department, which was built in the School of Commanders and Professionals of the Infantry Divisions. The department is composed of female weapons instructors in mandatory service together with female weapons instructors from reserve duty, who will be called for reserve duty until age 27, unless they are pregnant. This Training Department is a form of customer service for infantry divisions where they can ask questions to quickly refresh their memories. "The female weapons instructors that serve in this department went through a long and professional training," said Lt. Gen. Eran Granit, Commander of the Reserve Battalion in the Alexander Brigade, who is the first to train side by side with the reserve soldiers. "We see the female instructors in our infantry division as a type of elite unit," said Lt. Gen. Berger. ("Israeli Ministers Fear Temporary Settlement Freeze Will Set Precedent," IDF Spokesperson's Office, June 28, 2009). June 29, 2009:
Defense Minister Ehud Barak is expected to meet US Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell in an effort to agree on a compromise formula on settlement construction. Meanwhile, a political source in Jerusalem noted that a "temporary freeze" of construction in the settlements was met with objections by three of the six senior ministers in Netanyahu's forum. Deputy Prime Minister Ya'alon: "We must explain to the Americans that we, too, have red lines." Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon: "Israel and the U.S. will not enter a confrontation over the settlements. The shared interests are too strong and the joint aim is to work together and avoid a dead end." DM Barak: "The intimate and direct dialogue with the US continues, and its purpose is to advance regional order. Within this framework it is possible to have effective and practical negotiations with the Palestinians, and within this framework it is also possible to find an appropriate solution to the issue of settlement construction." (Barak Ravid, "Israeli Ministers Fear Temporary Settlement Freeze Will Set Precedent," Ha'aretz, June 29, 2009). June 29, 2009:
Supporters of Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri clash with Hizballah gunmen in the streets of Beirut. One woman is killed and at least three people are wounded, including a Lebanese soldier. Lebanese troops reportedly cordon off the Aisha Bakkar neighborhood in the capital's Muslim sector and deploy in force to restore calm. (Herb Keinon, "Hariri Supporters Clash with Hizbullah," Jerusalem Post, June 29, 2009). June 28, 2009:
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu: "Last Thursday, I returned from an important and successful round of talks with Italian and French leaders. The goal of the visit was to brief them on our principles for a peaceful solution as I expressed them in my Bar-Ilan University speech, and persuade them that this is the correct, just and practical path to achieve an agreement between us and the Palestinians. "Over three days, I met with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon and French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, as well as with leading Italian and French opinion-makers and commentators, and I found that my interlocutors were attentive. Regarding the principles that we presented, I saw that there was a genuine international willingness to accept them as foundations for peace. "The first principle is the need for explicit Palestinian recognition of the State of Israel as the national state of the Jewish People. The second need is the demilitarization of a Palestinian state in such a manner that all of Israel's security needs will be met. The third item is that there must be international backing of these security arrangements in the form of explicit international guarantees. The fourth item is that the problem of refugees must be resolved outside the borders of Israel. The fifth item is the need that the agreement be an end to the conflict. This is to say that the Palestinians will not be able to raise additional claims following the signing of a peace agreement. "These principles are very solid and were raised very clearly by myself and by those in my delegation, which included Finance Minister Dr. Yuval Steinitz and Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan, and I think, I know, that they expressed a very broad national consensus." ("PM Netanyahu: Bar Ilan U. Speech Principles Enjoy International Acceptance," PMO's Office, June 28, 2009). |
