Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., October 04, 2008 Tishrei 5, 5769 | | Israel Time: 21:05 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 14:00 26/09/2008
Israel and Azerbaijan close multi-million dollar arms deal
By Yossi Melman, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Israel News, Azerbaijan, Iran 

Israel and Azerbaijan have closed a weapons deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

According to agreements signed by the Defense Ministry and the government of Azerbaijan, which borders on Iran, Israel will sell the southern Caucasus state ammunition, mortars and radio equipment.

Predominantly Muslim Azerbaijan has increasingly been caught in a tug-of-war for influence between its large southern neighbor, and the secular, democratic West.
Advertisement

Rumblings of Shi'ite political Islam have been particularly noticeable in the more conservative regions that border Iran, and the secular government has displayed concern over Iranian influence.

An number of Israeli firms were involved in the various deal. Soltam will sell mortars and ammunition to Azerbaijan, Israel Military Industries will sell the country rocket artillery and Tadiran Communications will sell it radio equipment.

Israeli companies have also recently signed deals worth tens of millions of dollars with Kazakhstan, a neighbor of Azerbaijan's.

Minister of National Infrastructures and former defense minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer has visited Azerbaijan in the past, and has said that the country can serve as a source of oil and gas for Israel.

Foreign news outlets have reported that the two countries maintain intelligence and security contacts. The bolstering of these ties has reportedly been achieved by former Mossad agent Michael Ross. The Canadian-born Ross describes Iranian intelligence operations in Azerbaijan in a book he published last year.

Azeri President Ilham Aliyev has met with Israeli leaders at various international forums as well as at Baku, his nation's capital. He has voiced the desire for closer relations with Israel and has also spoken of threats that both countries face from Iran.


Related articles:
  • Azerbaijan: 15 convicted of treason gave Iran information on Israel
  • Iran to Azerbaijan: Show proof for claims of spying on Israel
  • Avigdor Lieberman meets with Azerbaijan pres. on Iran, energy
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Out in the open
    Security officials fear U.S. radar system will expose IDF secrets.
    Israel on their minds
    Biden: Bush Mideast policy a failure; Palin: Mideast will top our agenda.
      1.   when do the russians invade ?? 11:47  |  v.hardman 26/09/08
      2.   Israel has been in the weapons selling business a long time 12:32  |  Natallie Durson 26/09/08
      3.   This should encourage Iran to go for nukes. 12:36  |  Michael 26/09/08
      4.   Be wise....Do not mess with Russia! 13:18  |  Persian Hero 26/09/08
      5.   So now it`s bad to sell weaponry? 14:23  |  Hastaroth 26/09/08
      6.   Here we Go Again.. 15:22  |  Steve 26/09/08
      7.   Keep arming Arab countries 15:38  |  D 26/09/08
      8.   #2Natalie and other countries like the US have not 17:40  |  Big Sur 26/09/08
      9.   More and more countries see the threat of Iran, Land of Aryans 18:45  |  David 26/09/08
      10.   #2, Natallie, double standards? try holding the Arabs to NORMAL 18:46  |  David 26/09/08
      11.   #2 Get your facts right, HONEY 19:29  |  MJ 26/09/08
      12.   # 5 hastaroth 20:39  |  Axel 26/09/08
      13.   Liberation of South Azerbaijan? 21:46  |  David G 26/09/08
      14.   2 21:52  |  zionist forever 26/09/08
      15.   #5 Axel 07:27  |  DAVID KAPLAN 27/09/08
      16.   Liberation of South Azerbaijan 10:00  |  Magic 27/09/08
      17.   #13 Liberation of South Azerbaijan!!! Hehehehe.. 13:35  |  Persian Hero 27/09/08
      18.   RIGHT ON Israel give Iran a taste of their own medicine. 15:12  |  PETER SM 27/09/08
      19.   # 17 petersm 17:05  |  Axel 27/09/08
      20.   I dout it`s a good idea. 19:19  |  Ana 27/09/08
      21.   And this is a good idea? 08:38  |  Johnboy 29/09/08
      22.   # 3 not really the case 20:51  |  michael 04/10/08
     Read & React
    ADL: Financial crisis sparking anti-Semitic upsurge on Internet
    Responses: 327
    UN General Assembly Chief: Some Security Council members are worse than Iran
    Responses: 77
    Yoel Marcus: Israel won't top agenda for either McCain or Obama
    Responses: 67
    Claude Kandiyoti: A red line is needed between Jews, Israel
    Responses: 87
    Hezbollah: Ghajar, Shaba Farms will soon be liberated
    Responses: 94
    Saudi cleric urges Muslim women to cover up all but one eye
    Responses: 43


    More Headlines
    15:08 Israel: North Korea supplying weapons to six Mideast states
    21:04 Iran: Natural gas conference in Tehran proof U.S., Israel pressure ineffective
    20:07 Palestinian Authority on alert for Hamas takeover of West Bank
    19:16 Israeli Arabs mark anniversary of October 2000 riots
    19:41 VP debate / Palin beats the odds, fails to be field dressed by Biden
    02:14 Fugee Friday Post III / From war-torn Sudan to a tiny classroom in south Tel Aviv
    13:30 NEW ON HAARETZ.COM / Play the news: Build your own Israeli government
    16:57 Bush: Our economy continues to face serious challenges
    14:05 French FM says considering proposal to deploy int'l monitors in Palestinian territories
    09:21 U.S. drops plan to set up diplomatic outpost in Iran
    08:53 UN General Assembly chief: Some Security Council members worse than Iran
    22:37 Comedian Jackie Mason hits back at Sarah Silverman's pro-Obama video
    12:07 Saudi cleric urges Muslim women to cover up all but one eye
    21:46 Time Magazine: Israel fears U.S. radar will leave it 'naked in front of America'
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Dial 013 for your long-distance calls
    and get all your money back
    US CITIZENS
    Vote for real change. Request your ballot today!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved