Israel denies selling arms to Pakistan
Responding to Haaretz report, Defense Ministry says won't sell military equipment to Islamabad, citing Israel's strategic relationship with India.
By Aluf Benn and Gili Cohen | Jun.12, 2013
The Defense Ministry denied Wednesday having sold military equipment to Pakistan, a Muslim country with whom Israel has no diplomatic relations.
“The State of Israel categorically denies having sold military equipment of any kind to Pakistan,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement released to the media.
The statement was issued in the wake of a Haaretz report Tuesday which, citing official reports from the United Kingdom, indicated that Israel had sold defense equipment to Pakistan and other countries, including Morocco. In the statement, Defense Ministry officials said that within the next few days, Israel would ask the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, which is responsible for issuing export permits in Britain, “for details of the information that was published in the official reports.”
The reported sale of military equipment is particularly significant in light of Israel’s strong defense ties with India, Pakistan's arch-rival. The Defense Ministry’s statement mentioned that as well.
“Israel has a strategic relationship with India, the strongest democracy in the world – which, like Israel, deals with terrorist threats and serves as a major anchor in global international relations. The State of Israel does nothing that could compromise its excellent relations with India.”
On Tuesday, Pakistan denied that its military had purchased equipment from Israel. A spokesman from the media wing of the military, ISPR, said the report was baseless.
Israel denies selling arms to Pakistan - Diplomacy & Defense - Israel News | Haaretz Daily Newspaper