We are developing the social individualist meta-context for the future. From the very serious to the extremely frivolous... lets see what is on the mind of the Samizdata people.

Samizdata, derived from Samizdat /n. - a system of clandestine publication of banned literature in the USSR [Russ.,= self-publishing house]

Covert Israeli Boycott

Earlier this year, Britain refused to supply crucial parts for Israel’s aging Phantom aircraft. So what one might ask? Its hardly the most nimble of modern warplanes. It is, it should be noted. reputedly the backbone of Israel’s nuclear capability.

Tough call for Samizdatistas… I am a great supporter of Israel, but I am not sure Western interests would not be complicated by the mere potential of an Israeli nuclear offensive. However, something tells me that the Israelis would not be hampered by missing British ejector seats. There is the legendary tear jerking story of the request to the 1981 Israeli Air Force Academy intake for what was possibly a one-way ticket to bomb the Osiraq research reactor in Iraq. It was not certain whether the Phantom’s would have the range to return. The commanding officer called for volunteers for what he frankly admitted was possibly a suicide mission. When volunteers were asked to step forward, to a man, all did.

Paul Staines

11 comments to Covert Israeli Boycott

  • mad dog barker

    I hear the bloke who bombed the Osiraq reactor suffered his own meltdown. As a result of more western technology, I believe.

    Still, he who laughs last… :0)

  • T. Hartin

    Yes, one of the Osirak heroes died on the shuttle. I am sure he is laughing his ass off now, watching from on high while we stick a fork in Saddam. I am sure he heartily approves.

    Thanks for reminding me of him, mad dog. I will be hoisting one in his memory tonight.

  • I have trouble believing that an F-15 couldn’t transport anything you’d need a Phantom for. And Israel does have F-15s (bought “naked” from the US and outfitted with homebrews avionics).

    And yes, Col. Ilan Ramon (a true hero in more ways than one) was one of the eight pilots that took out the “O Chirac!” reactor. (The French satyrical press used to refer to it by that name, which may or may not account for it being renamed from Osiraq/OChirac to Tammuz.)

  • Jacob

    Maybe Tony Blair could mention this boycott to Chirac to gain some favour with him, to show that Blair too is capable of acting in a Chirac-like manner.

  • mark holland

    Mad Dog you are an asshole. Ilan Ramon tribute page

    Paul, Operation Opera consisted of 8 of F16s and 6 of F15s. Click here for an excellent flash presentation of the mission

  • Keep the remarks civil or your comments will be deleted.

  • Shaun Bourke

    And when demanded by Saddam to protect real military targets,the peacenik “human shields” have,to a man,FLED !!!

  • Kevin Connors

    Why do they need the UK to supply parts for a McDonnell-Douglas product?

  • Hal

    100% certain prediction: nuclear weapons will be used first in the Middle East by Israel. And no doubt chickenhawk libertarians will cheer more loudly than everyone else.

  • Snide

    So Hal, what exactly is your 100% prediction based on? Where are your sources? What do you know that we do not? Or are we just supposed to take your word for it?

    And as you make the ‘chickenhawk’ argument, I assume you are a fascist of some sort who think that only members of the military should decide when force gets used, not the civilians who actually pay for the volunteer military.

    Also, what the hell makes you think all that many libertarians are huge fans of the state of Israel?

  • Jeremy

    I think Israel can be trusted with nukes for one simple fact: There are still Palestinians left.

    The same people who say Israel will use nukes first are the same sort that said Israel would expel all the Palestinians the minute the war started. Much like Fidel did with all those dissidents in Cuba.

    (I’m not a huge supporter of Israel, since they tend to be anti-American and they tend to be socialists, but they’re better than anyone else in the region…and they’ve shown more restraint than most countries would in their place)