No warning to Israel about use of U.S. weapons

By Andrea Koppel
and Elise Labott CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senior State Department and Israeli officials tell CNN the Bush administration has not warned Israel about its use of U.S. weapons in what the United States calls "targeted killings" of Palestinians in recent days and weeks.

In fact, one senior State Department official said the last time the administration made an issue of the use of U.S. weapons was in March when Israeli used F-16s to fire on Palestinian targets. This is "not an issue in the present circumstances," said this official.

However, these officials also made clear that the United States does not approve of the Israeli policy of "targeted killings" -- which the Palestinians call "assassinations" of Palestinian officials.

Israel a close ally

Nor does the United States approve of any weapons being used to carry out this policy -- no matter who manufactured the weapons, officials said.

Nevertheless, officials acknowledge that Israel "knows about the U.S. law (the Arms Export Control Act) and doesn't need reminding."

Israel is one of the United States' closest allies and officials admit it's an open secret that the United States would never stop selling weapons to Israel.

Officials said they might stop selling some "minor items" for symbolic effect, but never any heavy weapons which they say Israel needs for its self-defense.

Powell: Get back on track

In a related matter, the State Department said Secretary of State Colin Powell played an active role in getting Israel to agree to withdraw from Beit Jala and the Palestinians to agree to stop shooting at the Jewish neighborhood of Gilo.

Officials said Powell spoke with Israel Foreign Minister Shimon Peres once and with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat twice each.

Powell is said to have told the leaders both sides need to get "back on track" to stop the violence and work to implement the Mitchell committee report.