Israel Should Not Press Russia on Arms Sales

In an editorial published on October 8, the state-run newspaper Tishreen said it was “illogical” for Israel to try to stop Russia selling weapons to Syria and Iran.



Tishreen’s editor-in-chief Isam Dari said the advanced weapons that Moscow was considering selling to the Iranians and Syrians, including an advanced anti-aircraft missile system, were defensive in nature. He said the Israelis did not want Middle Eastern countries to acquire even defensive weapons.



Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert said this week that Russian president Dmitry Medvedev had given no assurances that Moscow would not sell the weapons to Damascus and Tehran.