Israel and U.S. Sign Agreement on ‘Star Wars’

Israel, joining Britain and West Germany, agreed Tuesday to participate in research projects intended to develop a U.S. space-based missile defense system.

Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin and U.S. Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger signed an agreement at the Pentagon providing a framework for Israeli laboratories and research organizations to participate in the “Star Wars” program, formally known as the Strategic Defense Initiative.

Although the multibillion-dollar U.S. research effort is aimed at constructing a defense against long-range ballistic missiles, a Pentagon official indicated that Israel would focus more on developing protection against tactical, short-range ballistic missiles, which are considered more of a threat to Israel.

“They have indicated they are particularly concerned about the threat posed to Israel itself by neighboring and other countries which have the capability to place Israel under attack by shorter-range ballistic missiles,” said Frank J. Gaffney Jr., a deputy assistant secretary of defense.

“I expect that a consistent theme throughout the Israelis’ effort in connection with SDI will be trying to assess how the technologies they’re working on can be relevant to their immediate security needs,” Gaffney said.

Broader Support Sought

The Reagan Administration, seeking to broaden support for the “Star Wars” program, reached agreements with Britain in December and West Germany in April that are intended to facilitate SDI research in those countries. Italy has expressed interest in joining the research effort, but U.S. allies France and Japan have balked at taking part.

After signing the document, formally known as a “memorandum of understanding,” Rabin said Israel views the project as one “of great interest for the future of the world.”