Israeli Firm’s Trade With Iran Proves Awkward for Activists Pushing Sanctions

Washington — Israel activists advocating tougher sanctions against Iran are dealing with the embarrassment caused by the blacklisting of a prominent Israeli firm for trading with Tehran.

The Ofer Brothers Group, a powerful family-owned conglomerate, was sanctioned for selling an oil tanker to Iran, ignoring laws in the United States that restrict dealings with Iran’s energy sector. The company claimed that its actions were coordinated with the Israeli government and hinted that it was part of a covert Israeli operation.

Israelis and their supporters in the United States are still trying to understand how and why an Israeli company was entered on the State Department’s list of firms ignoring American sanctions put in place to block the Iranian nuclear program. While some had argued that the move is yet another sign of deteriorating relations between the Obama administration and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, others point to Israel’s decision to ignore warnings and questions from the administration regarding Ofer Brothers’ business with Iran.

On one issue, however, there is agreement: The decision has put Israel and its backers in an awkward situation.

MORE...

http://forward.com/articles/138469/