During a visit last week to Israel by the Chinese president, Prime Minister Ehud Barak said Israel wouldn't risk losing opportunities in the Chinese market by backing out of a signed contract, despite U.S. objections. Israeli officials weakly plead that its contract has to be honored, even though contracts for military equipment are frequently broken or changed because of security or diplomatic concerns. Even the speaker of Israel's parliament, Avraham Burg, attacked the deal.
Some reports say that Israel wants even more.
Yes, Israel is a valuable ally, but there comes a time when Uncle Sam, the sugar daddy in this relationship, has to start saying no, especially when our friend sells military equipment to the most powerful communist country in the world.