Pod Save America Hosts Call on Democrats to Cut All Israel Military Aid, No Longer Accept AIPAC Funding
Jews, Israelis Targeted in Austria Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents; Local Jewish Community Calls for Action
‘All of Our Strength’: Over 1,000 Pro-Israel Activists Gather in DC for Solidarity Conference
‘Devastated’: Wesley LePatner, Killed in Manhattan Mass Shooting, Was a Jewish Communal, Philanthropic Leader
Sen. Angus King Vows to No Longer Vote for Israel Military Aid Until Gaza Conditions Improve
Europe Won’t Pressure Israel to ‘Commit Suicide’ Amid Gaza Backlash, Palestinian State Push, Says Israeli FM
Israel’s National Soccer Coach Attacked in Athens Before Soccer Fans Chant ‘F–K Israel, Free Palestine’ at Match
New York Judge Sentences Neo-Nazi to 5 Years for Livestreaming Bomb Threats Against Jewish Hospitals
US Pressures Lebanon to Issue Cabinet Decision to Disarm Hezbollah Before Talks Continue
UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Meets Conditions, Starmer Says
Israel Defense Ministry Will Fight for Merkava Project in Effort to Save 8,000 Jobs
Error: Contact form not found.
by Zach Pontz
Israeli Merkava MK 1 tank.
Israel’s Defense Ministry says it will fight for the Merkava Tank development project in an effort to stave off the potential loss of 8,000 jobs if the project is shut down.
Director-General Udi Shani of the Defense Ministry spoke out Monday at a special session of the Knesset Labor, Welfare and Health Committee against the impact of cuts in the ministry budget on the Merkava Tank development project.
“The Ministry of Defense will fight for the Merkava as it fought for a blue and white (Israeli) satellite and other systems. We aspire that our armored force strength will be among the best there are in the world with an active defense.”
He noted that exports from the Merkava Tank industry total about $ 700 million annually, with much of the money returning to the economy.
According to Maariv, Deputy Defense Minister MK Danny Danon told the hearing that “these are vital industries. We can not recreate the technology of a closed factory. There is no intention, and I know of no intention to stop using tanks in the Israeli army.”
The IDF Blog provides details on the Merkava: “The initial planning for the Merkava began in the 1960s at a time when Israel wanted to become less reliant on foreign factories. The IDF began research and development together with the British army, but due to political reasons the project was soon abandoned. Years later, drawing on lessons from the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Israel Tal led a development team to begin work on the Merkava project. By 1974 the first designs and prototypes were ready and by the end of 1978 the IDF began to train its forces in the new tank.”
Last February the Israel Defense Ministry announced that it was considering cancelling the project on the grounds that “the budgetary situation requires making painful decisions.”
