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Europe
Sale of Dutch air defence system parts to Israel "will go through"
2007-10-19
Amsterdam - The Dutch government will go ahead with the sale of outdated HAWK-parts to Israel, Foreign minister Maxime Verhagen told parliament Friday.

The HAWK is a ground-based air defence system comparable with the US Patriot system, which can take down missiles and fighter aircraft. Israel says it wants the parts to maintain its air defence system.

Earlier this week all leftist parties Greens (GL), the Socialists Party (SP) and Labour said they opposed the deal. The Greens and SP are in the opposition, while Labour is a government coalition party. The leftist parties argued the Netherlands violated its earlier position not to sell any arms to parties in conflict areas, including Israel.

But Verhagen said selling parts of an air defence system was not the same as selling arms. He stressed the HAWK cannot be used in the conflict with the Palestinians, nor be used against the Palestinian population. Verhagen said a licence for the sale would be provided once the contract has been signed in November, and after the had permitted the sale of the originally American equipment.

Deputy Defence Minister Cees van der Knaap had informed parliament about the planned sale on Monday.
Posted by:anonymous5089

#6  The leftist parties argued the Netherlands violated its earlier position not to sell any arms to parties in conflict areas, including Israel.

Ironic. Rotterdam is home to one of the largest arms black-markets in the world; Iran is (or was) one of its frequent customers.
Posted by: Pappy   2007-10-19 21:11  

#5  Every test ended the same way, the last thing you saw before the screen went black was a big circle with 4 fins sticking out. The HAWK really doesn't need a warhead, it is good for kinetic kills.

Me like.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-10-19 20:55  

#4  The Greens (GL), the Socialists Party (SP) and Labour (PVDA) are part of the Muslim Marxist brotherhood.
Posted by: Slats Clarong8110   2007-10-19 16:22  

#3  The HAWK (Homing All-the-Way Killer) might be a little old, but it will still knock down anything flying in the Middle East that doesn't carry the latest US ECM.
In a previous life, I participated in a live fire exercise / ECM test against an IHAWK (Improved HAWK) battery. To prepare for the test, we watched TWO HOURS of cockpit camera footage from previous tests. Every test ended the same way, the last thing you saw before the screen went black was a big circle with 4 fins sticking out. The HAWK really doesn't need a warhead, it is good for kinetic kills.
Posted by: RWV   2007-10-19 15:23  

#2  The leftist parties argued the Netherlands violated its earlier position not to sell any arms to parties in conflict areas, including Israel.

Because when there is conflict all sides are equally to blame. Though usually it is safer to blame the Jews, the Americans or the British against any romantic barbarians at hand.
Posted by: Excalibur   2007-10-19 10:44  

#1  Congratulations to the Dutch government for actually doing the right thing.
Posted by: trailing wife   2007-10-19 10:31  

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