ISRAELI COMPANIES INDICTED FOR ILLEGALLY EXPORTING CRUISE MISSILES TO CHINA

Tue 21 December 2021:

Israeli companies have been found guilty of illegally exporting cruise missiles to China, according to reports.

According to the Israeli state attorney’s office, ten Israeli suspects, including three companies, violated Israeli security laws in order to sell missiles to China.

According to the attorney general’s office, the deal was allegedly brokered by drone entrepreneur Ephraim Menashe. The suspects were accused of “manufacturing, trading, and exporting cruise missiles for military use without a license,” according to the prosecutor.

The suspects have been charged with security violations such as money laundering and violating the Defense Export Act. According to the attorney general, the suspects conducted tests, manufactured cruise missiles, transferred the missiles to China, and received millions of dollars from Chinese authorities.

According to reports, China did not use the missiles. Several hundred licensed arms exporters operate in the country, with several involved in the defense supply chain.

China has not issued an official statement in response to Israel’s sale of cruise missiles. Two years ago, Israeli authorities moved in to investigate Menashe’s business dealings. He is the owner of Solar Sky and is said to be the mastermind behind the entire operation.

Menashe is thought to have struck a deal with Chinese companies vying for a contract in the country. The suspects allegedly smuggled missile components to China, according to the prosecutor’s office. Because the missiles were allegedly tested in residential areas in Israel, they were also charged with endangering human life.

Over 20 Israelis were interrogated by the Shin Bet and Israel Police in February on suspicion of developing, manufacturing, and trading illegal weapons with an Asian country.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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