Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vetoed a US-backed proposal to transfer Iron Dome air defence batteries to Ukraine in 2023, citing concerns that the technology could ultimately fall into Iranian hands, according to The Washington Post.
The report said the proposal was backed by late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham as part of efforts to strengthen Ukraine's air defences against Russian attacks. However, the transfer was blocked under the terms of a US-Israeli joint-production agreement that gives Israel final authority over the system's use, despite the batteries having been funded by the US government.
Responding to questions from The Washington Post, the Israeli embassy in Washington defended both the co-production arrangement and Netanyahu's decision.
“The concern was that the technology could find its way to the Iranians.”
The embassy also noted that Israel had instead returned Patriot air defence missile batteries to the United States, allowing them to be transferred to Ukraine.
“In lieu of Iron Dome,” Israel returned Patriot missile batteries to the U.S. so they could be sent to Ukraine instead.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had no objection to Israel's ability to block exports of jointly produced weapons systems to third countries.
“Any time you enter into co-production, we have those restrictions,” he said.
By Sabina Mammadli
