Germany told Israel about plans to sell submarines to Egypt

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin that a senior Israeli official “had given Germany permission” to sell Egypt four submarines and two anti-submarine ships, Ynet reports. The agreement got the greenlight despite objections from “top” Israeli defense officials. Unlike past agreements, this one “involved advanced submarines similar to those purchased by Israel,” Ynet says. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had kept defence officials and Rivlin “in the dark” about the agreement, according to the Times of Israel.