TEL AVIV, Israel, July 27 (UPI) -- U.S. sanctions against Israel over an arms deal with China will remain in effect until Israel improves monitoring sensitive exports, it was reported Wednesday.
The crisis erupted over Israel's sale to China of replacement parts for Harpy attack drones, the Ha'aretz newspaper reported. The drones that were sold in the mid-1990s reportedly can destroy enemy radar transmitters. The deal with China provided for upgrading them, Ha'aretz said.
The U.S. sanctions follow legislation that imposed a 5-year ban on purchasing defense items from any state that sells arms to China. Israel has acquiesced to most of the demands, but the United States then made additional demands, Ha'aretz said.
The report said that Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, who about to go to Washington to discuss the issue, but canceled the trip because of the new U.S. demands.
The United States reportedly wants the Knesset to pass a law, within 18 months, tightening control over military exports. It demands also a written apology from Israel and Mofaz, Ha'aretz said.
