Israel enjoys US backing for nukes, jointly conduct missile test

By: Mohamed Ali

LOS ANGELES: The US Missile Defense Agency said an anti-ballistic missile under development by the United States and Israel intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile during a test Thursday.

The intercept over the Point Mugu Sea Range near California, 45 miles northwest of Los Angeles, was conducted as a test of an improved version of the Arrow II anti-missile missile.

“The objective of the test was to demonstrate the Arrow system's improved performance against a target that represents a threat to Israel,” the agency said.

“The test represented a realistic scenario that could not have been tested in Israel due to test-field safety restrictions.”

Project director Arieh Herzog told: “It was a complete success… We will continue development of the project to face future threats, particularly from Iran.”

It was the 12th Arrow intercept test and the seventh test of the complete Arrow system, which also includes radar and communications equipment.

Israel deployed the Arrow anti-missile system after the 1991 Persian Gulf War, when Iraq fired 39 Scud missiles at Israel.

Separately, Israeli premier Ariel Sharon said in an oblique reference to his country's secret nuclear arms that Israel has US backing for its deterrent weapons. He also claimed US support for key elements of Israel's policy toward the Palestinians.

Speaking at a political party gathering in Tel Aviv on Thursday, he said Washington recognizes: “Israel faces an existential threat and it must be able to defend itself by preserving its deterrent capability.”

Sharon noted Iran is under US pressure to stop its nuclear weapons program and Libya took steps to halt its nuclear-arms development but “we have received here a clear American position that says in other words that Israel must not be touched when it comes to its deterrent capability.”

Critics of Israeli and US policy have questioned why the United States has pressed Iraq, Iran, Libya and North Korea to stop developing nuclear weapons, when Israel faces no similar pressure.

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