Israeli to be extradited for selling weapons parts to Iran

An Israeli belonging to a hasidic sect is wanted in the U.S., where he was indicted for selling sensitive weapons parts to Iran.

Kikar Shabbat, a Hebrew-language Israeli paper geared to the ultra-orthodox Jewish community, reported that Eli Cohen, 66, a resident of the B’nei Brak suburb of Tel Aviv, had been posing as an antique goods dealer when, in fact, he was selling weapons parts to Iran.

Cohen’s activities were reportedly carried out in Israel, where – according to the indictment – he was illegally exporting parts for missiles, personnel carriers and fighter jets from America to Israel. He also exported parts for fighter jets from Israel to the Islamic Republic via Greece, the indictment continues.

Cohen claimed that he held permits from the Department of Defense to conduct business with foreign governments and companies concerning the export of these parts and that their destination was not his responsibility.

The incidents surrounding this case have been taking place for many years, and Cohen has already served time in jail in Israel.

As far back as 2002, for instance, Haaretz reported that a shipment of spare parts was seized in Germany, with Thailand listed as its final destination. German authorities discovered, however, that the shipment was en route to Iran.

In 2014, Cohen and Avihai Weinstein, owners of R.S.P. Rebuilt Spare Parts Ltd in the north-central region of Binyamina, were in custody for allegedly shipping spare parts for the U.S.-made F-4 Phantom aircraft to Iran.

On Sunday, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that Cohen will be deported to the U.S., where he will face arrest.

By: World Israel News Staff
(With files from Arutz-7)