S. Africa-Israel Military Ties

Jack Salem (letter, Feb. 14) criticizes Halford Fairchild (“Overcoming Captivity to the Worst in Us,” Op-Ed Page, Feb. 2) for “singling out Israel” and its ties to South Africa. No matter how vehemently Salem and others seek to deny this, the history of Israel and South Africa manifests a bond between the two nations that distinguishes them from all others.

In 1976, comprehensive accords were signed by Israel and South Africa that created a standing ministerial committee that meets annually. Pursuant to some of these agreements, South Africa underwrites Israeli military research and development in exchange for a full range of modern weaponry.

In 1977, the United Nations passed a mandatory arms embargo against South Africa. Israel has repeatedly violated this mandate, equipping the white minority government with a number of weapons, including missiles, several kinds of aircraft, long-range missile boats and other lethal equipment. Israelis have also trained South African troops and provided advisers to the apartheid state in its military attacks against Angola.

The dollar value of Israel’s military trade with South Africa have been published in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. In 1985, the figure provided was $250 million, while the estimate for 1986 was $400-$800 million.

More than any other nation, Israel has provided South Africa with the military wherewithal to oppress its black majority. African Americans who raise this issue are not anti-Semitic; they simply do not understand how Jews can justify cooperating with a government, many of whose members are not only racist, but also blatant Nazi sympathizers.

DAVID L. HORNE

Compton