German Sub Deal Contains Exit Clause If Probe Reveals Criminality

YERUSHALAYIM

Germany is set to go through with a sale of three submarines to Israel that has been clouded by investigations into alleged corruption in the deal, though the memorandum of understanding (MOU) will include an escape clause if allegations prove prosecutable.

German government spokesman Steffen Seibert announced the imminent signing of the MOU on Monday. The German government is subsidizing 27 percent of the cost of the of the procurement, to be delivered to Israel in ten years.

The procedure for activation of the escape clause will be determined through bilateral consultations, according to Spiegel Online.

Germany deferred conclusion of the deal in July when the scandal broke in Israel. Sources were quoted as saying that Israeli defense and law enforcement officials conferred with their German counterparts to expedite the purchase despite the corruption charges.

However, Globes reported on Monday that another factor, in German politics, also speeded the process: opposition to the sale from the Alliance 90/Green Party.

Green Party leaders have in recent years criticized it based on reports that the vessels will have nuclear weapons capacity. They demand a commitment from Israel that the submarines will have no such capability.

Claudia Roth, a senior official in the Green Party who is participating in the coalition negotiations, said, “In my opinion, supplying the submarines is sending the wrong message… it also contravenes German policy on weapons exports.”

Given the likelihood that Chancellor Merkel will include the Greens in the next government coalition following her victory in last month’s elections, she wanted to expedite the matter so as to avoid a conflict over it with her putative partners.

The Greens declined to comment. The Israeli Embassy in Germany also declined to comment while Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it did not comment on matters relating to Israel’s defense.

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