Georgia also had a special
relationship with Israel that was mostly under the radar. Georgian
Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili is a former Israeli who moved
things along by facilitating Israeli arms sales with U.S. aid. “We are
now in a fight against the great Russia,” he was quoted as saying, “and
our hope is to receive assistance from the White House because Georgia
cannot survive on its own.”

The Jerusalem Post on Aug. 12
reported, “Georgian Prime Minister Vladimir Gurgenidze made a special
call to Israel Tuesday morning to receive a blessing from one of the
Haredi community's most important rabbis and spiritual leaders, Rabbi
Aaron Leib Steinman. 'I want him to pray for us and our state,'” he was
quoted.

Israel began selling arms to Georgia seven years ago.
U.S. grants facilitated these purchases. From Israel came former
minister and former Tel Aviv Mayor Roni Milo, representing Elbit
Systems, and his brother Shlomo, former director general of Military
Industries. Israeli UAV spy drones, made by Elbit Maarahot Systems,
conducted recon flights over southern Russia, as well as into nearby
Iran.

In a secret agreement between Israel and Georgia, two
military airfields in southern Georgia had been earmarked for the use
of Israeli fighter-bombers in the event of pre-emptive attacks against
Iranian nuclear installations. This would sharply reduce the distance
Israeli fighter-bombers would have to fly to hit targets in Iran. And
to reach Georgian airstrips, the Israeli air force would fly over
Turkey.

The attack ordered by Saakashvili against South Ossetia
the night of Aug. 7 provided the Russians the pretext for Moscow to
order Special Forces to raid these Israeli facilities where some
Israeli drones were reported captured.