Source: The Jerusalem Post
Apr 18, 2007
When US Defense Secretary Robert Gates flies into Israel on his first visit Wednesday, he will bring the calming message that the Jewish state need not overly fear an Iranian nuclear threat.
This is according to reports in the Israeli press.
Gates will also, it is believed, try persuade Jerusalem to change its position on America's plans to sell advanced military equipment to Saudi Arabia.
Israeli opposition to the sales stems from concerns that a new, Islamist regime may take power in Saudi Arabia and turn the top-of-the-range US-made weaponry against little Israel.
Tension has arisen between Jerusalem and Washington on a number of occasions over the years on the issue of arms sales to Saudi Arabia.