Officials in Berlin confirm reports that the diplomatic row surrounding Israel’s plans to continue building homes in areas of Jerusalem may result in the cancelation of the order of a Dolphin submarine for the Israel Navy, the Der Spiegel reports. The current order would be the sixth submarine sold to Israel by Germany.
According to official sources in Yerushalayim, despite German’s displeasure over Israeli policy, the submarine program is moving ahead on schedule.
Der Spiegel reports however that Chancellor Angela Merkel in conversations with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu expressed harsh criticism over Israel’s decision to advance building at this time, authorizing 1,100 housing units in the Gilo neighborhood of the southern capital. According to the international community, Gilo is not part of the capital, but ‘occupied’ by Israel since it is over the pre-June 1967 Green Line.
Israel already has three submarines capable of firing nuclear weapons and two others in the works, under construction by Germany. The German government this year approved $189 million in aid for the purchase of the sixth submarine for the Israel Navy fleet during the next four years. This program is in jeopardy according to the Dir Spiegel report.
The report states that in a telephone conversation between the two leaders last month, Merkel explained that the announcement of the building approval signals Israel is not serious about resuming negotiations with the PA (Palestinian Authority).
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
Oh fiddle! Germany (or anyone else) cannot tell Israel where and how many houses to build! Especially Germany!! What nerve! I think Israel should cancel the order, and make it themselves. I’m sure they’re perfectly capable. What a chutzpa!!
Israel would be better off making its own submarines and developing an industry that could lead to real jobs for Israelis.
But Gilo is and will always remind inside Israel so Germany you barking up the wrong tree