Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to indicate whether or not an Israeli senior official will testify before a U.S. court on the transfer of Iranian funds to Hamas and to the Islamic Jihad, through the Bank of China.

Israel—a world renowned specialist in bank surveillance—is said to have proof of such transfers, including the account numbers, the dates and amounts, since 2005.

In 2009, Shlomo Matalon—an advisor to the Prime Minister—had testified under oath about informing China of these tranfers and warning her against possible legal consequences.

On November 25th 2013, a US court must examine the complaint filed by 22 families of victims of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad. Judge Shira Scheindlin asked to hear a former member of the Israeli Intelligence Services, Uzi Shaya, who had been following the case.

However, Israel is currently attempting to strengthen its commercial ties with China. One of Mr. Netanyahu’s military adivsors, former representative at the UN Dore Gold, and former National Security Counsellor General Uzi Dayan were both in Beijing this week. Tel-Aviv is opening up it’s defence industry to China.

At first, Israel had supported the complaint before the US court, but should Uzi Shata be allowed to testify, China would be condemned by US law. Beijing would then have to reject Tel Aviv’s overture. In the opposite case, it would signify that Israel would rather spare China to the detriment of its special relationship with the US.

Translation
Alizée Ville