By Beauty Damned

Real Smart

The U.S. sho' do like to sell off some weapons. Hopefully, they'll be used wisely or not at all. I've always been concerned about the level of support we give to Israel, while neglecting and alienating Palestine.

U.S. sells 5,000 'smart bombs' to Israel

Associated Press
Tuesday, Sep 21, 2004

Jerusalem — The United States will sell Israel nearly 5,000 smart bombs in one of the largest weapons deals between the allies in years, Israeli military sources said Tuesday. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the sources said the deal will expand Israel's existing supply of the weapons. They did not identify possible targets.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said the deal is valued at $319-million (U.S.) and was revealed in a Pentagon report made to the U.S. Congress a few weeks ago. Funding for the sale will come from U.S. military aid to Israel. Disclosure of the deal comes amid escalating Israeli worries over Iran's nuclear development program.

Israel fears that Iran is trying to produce nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is for generating electricity. The bombs Israel is acquiring include airborne versions, guidance units, training bombs and detonators. The bombs would be guided to their target by an existing Israeli satellite used by the military.

The Israeli sources would not say whether the bombs might be intended for use against Iran. They ruled out the possibility that they could be used against Palestinian targets.

Israel drew heavy international criticism after a one-tonne smart bomb meant for a senior Palestinian militant also killed 15 civilians in an attack in the Gaza Strip in July 2002. It has rarely used such weapons since then.