The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) headquarters approved lately the Israeli Navy's inclusion in Operation Active Endeavour.
Task Force Endeavour consists of surface units, submarines and patrol aircraft and regularly uses frigate forces.
Operation Active Endeavour was launched in 2001 after the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. During the operation ships, submarines and patrol aircraft from NATO members patrol the Mediterranean to "detect, deter and protect against terrorist activity," according to NATO.
Israel had first requested to deploy a vessel as part of the force two years ago, but did not get a positive reply maybe to avoid the contreversy that may be caused by the Israeli ships participation due to their an active role in both Lebanon 2006 war and Gaza 2008-2009 war.
Israel part of NATO military drillsThe announcement came just days after Turkey scrapped a joint aerial exercise that was to have included Israel.
Of all the states in the Middle East region, Israel has established the closest links with NATO. Israel is an active member in the alliance's Individual Cooperation Program, and in summer 2006 (before Lebanese-Israel 2006 war) Israeli naval and air force units participated for the first time in a NATO military exercise, "Cooperation Mako", in the Black Sea.
Israel NATO future membershipAccepting Israel in the NATO before achieving peace in the middle east will be problematic, for several reasons:
1-It will announce hostility to the entire region.
2-Brussels has required aspirants to comply with membership criteria, which specify resolution of pre-existing border disputes with neighboring states, Israel occupy both Lebanese and Syrian lands.
3-Also there's consideration of domestic, nationality and minority rights issues.
submitted by sam
