ISRAEL'S RELATIONSHIP WITH SOUTH AFRICA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP06T00412R000606480008-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 16, 2012
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: July 17, 1986
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/05: CIA-RDP06T00412R000606480008-9
Iq
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/05: CIA-RDP06T00412R000606480008-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/05: CIA-RDP06T00412R000606480008-9 5X1
Talking Points for the DDI
17 July 1986
Israel's Relationship with South Africa
Israel's National Unity Government has been publicly
critical of South Africa's apartheid policy, but it is unlikely
soon to reduce close, longstanding bilateral relations.
Israel, in a largely symbolic move, closed its embassy
in Pretoria for one day last month to protest the
recently-imposed state-of-emergency.
Prime Minister Peres, however, intends to follow closely
the US lead in formulating Israel's stance toward
Pretoria and thus is unlikely to take strong unilateral
Deep-Rooted Economic Ties
South Africa is Israel's leading trade partner in Africa,
with trade between the two amounting to about $250 million
annually, not including military equipment and diamonds.
Israel imports almost 60% of its coal from South Africa.
South Africa's large and affluent Jewish community--
numbering about 120,000--is the largest per-capita
financial contributor to Israel.
Tourism from South Africa is becoming increasingly
important with declining visits from Europeans and
Israel and South Africa also conduct extensive private
contacts.
Reciprocal visits by trade unions are frequent. A
delegation From the Histadrut, Israel's powerful trade
union organization, is now in South Africa organizing
training for black workers.
The two countries also cooperate in scientific and
academic fields, including mathematics and advanced
computer research.
Copy of 10
9 (I
25X1
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/05: CIA-RDP06T00412R000606480008-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/05: CIA-RDP06T00412R000606480008-9
states.
Military Relationship--Through the Backdoor
Tel Aviv conducts its military relationship with South
Africa discreetly in hopes of minimizing damage to Israel's
efforts to restore formal diplomatic ties with black African
Military cooperation began in 1964 with an agreement for
licensed production of Israeli Uzi submachine guns in South
Africa and has greatly expanded during the past decade. Israeli
military assistance has included:
-- Modernization of South Africa's Centurian tanks with
105mm guns now produced under license in South Africa;
-- Three Reshef guided missile patrol boats and rights to
produce the craft in South Africa. The deal also
probably included transferring anti-ship missile
*echnology which the South Africans now produce;
-- Scout remotely-piloted reconnaissance drones;
-- Galil assault rifles--a modified version of this rifle,
designated the R-4, is now produced in South Africa;
-- Technical assistance in South Africa's development of
155mm howitzers;
-- Kits and technical assistance to modernize South
Africa's Mirage 3 fighter-aircraft;
-- Sale of large quantities of small arms and ammunition;
25X1
-- Riot control equipment--principally gas masks and tear
gas--and extensive training programs. 25X1
South Africa recently unveiled its "new" fighter aircraft,
designated the Cheetah.
-- Last month the
that the new fighter would bean upgraded Mirage,
similar to 1sraE-,1~ s Kfir. He speculated that South
Africa alone did not have the technical expertise
required to develop an advanced combat aircraft, but
--with Israeli help-,could easily modernize its present
fleet.
--
Israel
probably has provided an upgraded avionics and
canard
.would
package similar to that in their Kfir, which
greatly improve the performance of the Cheetah.
--
Israel probably provided the avionics and canard
technology to improve the plane's mobility and all-
weather capability. 25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/05: CIA-RDP06T00412R000606480008-9
 25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/05: CIA-RDP06T00412R000606480008-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/05: CIA-RDP06T00412R000606480008-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/05: CIA-RDP06T00412R000606480008-9 5X1
P
SUBJECT: Israel's Relationship with South Africa
DISTRIBUTION:
Copy 1 - DDI
2 - ADDI
3 - NIO/NESA
4 - ALA/SA/AF
5 - D/NESA
6 - DD/NESA
7 - NESA/AI
8-10 - NESA/AI/I
DDI/NESA/AI/If
17 July 1986
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/05: CIA-RDP06T00412R000606480008-9