Already on 16 November 1993, shortly after his meeting with President Clinton, the president advised Prime Minister Rabin that the U.S. agreed to allow Israeli companies to participate in lenders and competitions to gain contracts in the area of civil space technologies. This move was also seen as part of the U.S. commitment to preserve and strengthen Israel's qualitative capability, and to strengthen the defense and economic immunity of Israel in the era of peace. The letter was made public by Mr. Rabin 's media adviser. Text:
President Bill Clinton of the United States sent a letter to Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yitzhak Rabin this week in which he authorized the export, to the United States, of [Israeli] equipment and technology for the launch of civil satellites into space. This is the first time that Israel has been allowed to participate in tenders and competitions for the [awarding of contracts] in the field of civil space technologies. If [Israeli] factories succeed in [winning] the tenders, large-scale employment [opportunities] are anticipated for Israeli and American industries.
In the letter, Clinton stated that this step represents a re-affirmation of the American commitment to preserve and strengthen the Israeli qualitative capability, and to ensure that the risks for peace taken by Israel are minimized as much as possible.
The Clinton letter was given to Prime Minister Rabin on 16 November 1993 by Dr. Dennis Ross and Martin Indyk, following talks held by Rabin during his last visit to Washington in November 1993. During these talks, the prime minister asked that knowledge-heavy Israeli firms be allowed to enter into the area of economic/ civilian cooperation which had been closed thereto. The decision of President Clinton is another expression of the profound commitment and friendship that the United
States feels vis-a-vis Israel, as well as of its desire to strengthen the defensive and economic immunity of Israel in the peace era.
This decision acknowledges the capabilities of Israeli industry and offers a new chance for Israeli firms to enter into the American market. It is assumed that the decision will enable the creation of numerous industrial jobs in Israel, particularly in JAI, IMI and Rafael.