Boeing Takes Elbit Training System For US NAVY: Will Seattle Divest?

Written by: Aaron Katsman | July 2, 2008

Aaron Katsman
IsraelNewsletter.com

The Israeli business daily Globes is reporting that Boeing (BA) has selected a training system made by the Israeli defense contractor Elbit Sysytems (ESLT), to be used in US Navy training.

According to Globes: ” Boeing Co. has selected Elbit Systems Ltd. as the supplier for the US Navy’s T-45 Goshawk Virtual Mission Training System (VMTS)…..The T-45 will replace aging T-39s as a key element in the US Navy’s Undergraduate Military Flight Officer (UMFO) training modernization plan. The T-45 will provide realistic training at a lower cost in a fighter-like environment.”

Elbit Systems has been an IOI favorite for quite some time. The company has continued to sign deal after deal and has a pipeline of almost $5 billion. While the size of the deal wasn’t disclosed, this type of high profile deal is great not only for the company but for shareholders as well. While Elbit has done a phenomenal job of growing the business and creating profits for shareholders, the company still remains under the ‘radar screen’ of many investors. This type of high profile deal involving Boeing and the US Navy, is the kind of deal that can put the spotlight on the company, and create general knowledge to the greater investment community.

This deal could be problematic for those in Seattle (read our post on the issue) that are pushing the city to divest from Israel. A hi-profile Seattle employer that enters into a defense deal with an Israeli company, to help train US Navy fighters. It can’t get worse than that.

Disclosure: Author’s fund has a position in ESLT. He has no position in any other stock mentioned as of 7/02/08.

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Aaron Katsman is Managing Editor of the Israel Opportunity Investor newsletter. He is lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.

 

Will Seattle Be First U.S. City to Divest From Israel?

Written by: Aaron Katsman | May 22, 2008

Aaron Katsman
www.IsraelNewsletter.com

If “Initiative 97″ makes it on the ballot in the fall, citizens of Seattle will be asked to approve a measure that would prohibit the city from investing its pension funds in corporations that benefit from the Iraq war, or companies that provide material support to the Israeli government within the so-called “occupied territories.” The opposition to the initiative is being led by StandWithUs.org. It strikes me as a bit odd that a measure that seems to be intended to protest the U.S. Iraq policy also includes divestment from Israel.

Why the connection?

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