Bangladesh-Israel relations

[Maisson]

Bangladesh maintains unofficial ties with Israel through third parties such as Singapore.

The Bangladesh Army imported Israeli made Spike ATGMs during 2011-2012 and the air force also uses Mi-17 helicopter simulators which are developed by an Israeli company with offices in Singapore.

Unfortunately now the Bangladesh Army changed its policies as far as weapons imports are concerned. Due to introduction of standardisation the Army has to inspects the production facilities of the manufacturers for any standardised or significant military equipment. Equipment like Spike are made in Israeli factories and transfer of technology cannot be undertaken so acquisition of Spike and its technology could not be done. Israel also asked Singapore not to export the Spike ATGM to Bangladesh fearing some strong Indian reaction.

This has kept the Indians and Islamist's very happy as they are on the same page as far as Israel is concerned.

 

[Salted Cola]

No point following the Arabs around anymore. Sooner or later we will have to forge ties with Israel officially.

[Aparajita Banerjee]

I have no qualms about starting formal, mutually beneficial ties with the state of Israel. Bangladesh doesn't have to be like India, it doesn't need to play a double standard game. It can be far more effective in relation to the Palestinian statehood than it can by simply not recognizing a country that already exists.

And let me remind you, Israel does not just simply exist, it thrives, its powerful, its a useful country.

Bangladesh could effectively neuter India using Israeli equipment and tactics against the much larger Indian Army, that is an analogue to the Syrian Arab republic's army.

[Alim]

We have tried the non-recognition gimmick for 49 years now. How has that helped Palestinians in any meaningful way?

Once the far-right, fascist Liqud is out of office we should offer conditional recognition to Israel in exchange for allowing peacekeeping operations and humanitarian aid to Gaza and West Bank and continued negotiations for a two-state solution.

[Aparajita Banerjee]

Bangladesh Navy is respected through its work with UNFIL. The IDF and BN never faced problems while Bangladesh Navy frigates were carrying out their UN mandated duties off the Lebanese coast. Professional armed services usually respect each others work spaces.

[Alim]

18 minutes ago, Aparajita Banerjee said:

Bangladesh Navy is respected through its work with UNFIL. The IDF and BN never faced problems while Bangladesh Navy frigates were carrying out their UN mandated duties off the Lebanese coast. Professional armed services usually respect each others work spaces.

Well, the main purpose of UNFIL is to keep Hezbollah in check, not the IDF. Of course the IDF would not mind.

Regardless, I would like Bangladesh to cooperate with Israel extensively in STEM.

[Maisson]

I don't think we should forgo the Arabs if we recognise Israel. Rather we should strive for strong ties with both blocs so that we can become a bridge between the two. Bangladesh is rising fast, the day will not be far when others look to Bangladesh for mediation. Our diplomats and government officials should actively engage with old friends and new ones to develop the relations for economic and political benefit of all concerned partners.

[Girls' Generation]

@Syed Amar Khan a local agent offered surveillance equipment of israel to rab few years ago. prothom alo revealed that. plus,even usa,ksa,etc use them. 

btw,bd personal can go to germany to purchase spike.

In order to facilitate the selling of the weapon system in Europe, the company EuroSpike GmbH was formed in Germany. Its shareholders Diehl Defence (40%), Rheinmetall Defence Electronics (40%) and Rafael via ERCAS B.V (20%). ERCAS B.V. is a Dutch holding company owned 100% by Rafael. EuroSpike GmbH is located in Röthenbach, Germany. The European variant of the Spike weapon system differs a little from the Israeli version and is marketed under the name EuroSpike.For other areas of the world, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. is solely responsible. (source Wiki)

[Girls' Generation]

if we start purchasing from israel,we can put pressure on israel to stop any delivery of weapons to burma. israel already stopped burmese delegates attending israeli pavilions and defence exhibitions

 

[Nihonjin Karatumo]

On 2/23/2020 at 7:17 PM, Aparajita Banerjee said:

I have no qualms about starting formal, mutually beneficial ties with the state of Israel. Bangladesh doesn't have to be like India, it doesn't need to play a double standard game. It can be far more effective in relation to the Palestinian statehood than it can by simply not recognizing a country that already exists.

And let me remind you, Israel does not just simply exist, it thrives, its powerful, its a useful country.

Bangladesh could effectively neuter India using Israeli equipment and tactics against the much larger Indian Army, that is an analogue to the Syrian Arab republic's army.

Actually this is where it complicates matter.

Not many realizes that israel has so-called ''thrived'' not because of neighborly co-operation. It thrived simply because it had immense bipartisan support from outside the middle east. The country did not face significant sanctions despite its questionable policies and conflicts. Lets just say israel still enjoys has immense support, but its support base has become right wing conservatives. That's where matters can get complicated in foreign policy wise!

Israel would LOVE to have a formal recognition from Bangladesh and the dividend for israel will be immense. But israel is still in security quagmire and has moderate political deadlock. Not many people knows that israel's main technology and economy lies in US, its prime strategic beneficiary. 

As opportunity cost for relation with israel diminishes, doors will surely open up. And this is where foreign policy balance might get thrown into a curve ball, as BD is often at the mercy of its bigger neighbors and global powers. 

 

[Nihonjin Karatumo]

..... I would like to add few things into perspective here.

Apart from drip irrigation (BD has abundant water resources), desalination ( which Bangladesh has less of a need) and high end tech manufacturing (BD is still in rudimentary stage). In terms of security ( which's israel's main export), BD's can only leverage from it unless it has to quell a larger internal security uncertainty. 

Even though, our Economic relations with Gulf forbids us for a formal recognition of israel, this Faustian bargain has a greater meaning to it. Because israel won't be able to provide billion dollar in remittance nor it can provide an alternate market.

But trust me, its israel who will be benefited from getting a recognition from us, not the other way around. Sooner we know the dynamic here, its Bangladesh who can pull the right string. 

[Sana]

On 2/23/2020 at 11:23 AM, Salted Cola said:

No point following the Arabs around anymore. Sooner or later we will have to forge ties with Israel officially.

On a personal level Arabs are the most horrible people I have ever dealt with. They really don't have any civility in them. We

might as well recognise Israel.