Homeland Security and Defense

Homeland Security and Defense

Meitar has one of Israel’s most experienced practices in the sensitive area of homeland security and national defense. Our team is well-versed in the unique legal and commercial issues related to these areas of activity, from both the private and governmental perspectives. With hands-on experience working with the Israel Defense Forces and the Ministry of Defense, Meitar counts among its clients many of the world’s leading global manufacturing concerns, defense contractors, aviation companies and government agencies from across the globe.

Our firm’s experience spans all commercial aspects of this area, including structuring, drafting and negotiating defense contracts, civil and military aerospace issues and homeland security. We offer expertise in negotiating joint ventures, drafting R&D agreements, executing sale lease-back and buy-back program transactions, compliance with foreign military financing (FMF) regulations, building consortiums, government-industry alliances, transfer and establishment of production facilities, government tenders, and managing transactions as part of complex government aid packages. Moreover, our expertise includes in-depth knowledge and expertise in export control permits and licenses, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) regulations, brokering, anti-corruption and bribery programs, encryption permits, Wassenaar Arrangement compliance, trade issues under Israel’s Trading with the Enemy Ordinance, export bans and legal advisory services on matters related to global humanitarian treaties, such as the Geneva and Hague Conventions.

On the regulatory side, we offer specialized services advising and supporting clients on export control permits and licenses, and agency and brokering permits.

The Group also represents technology companies engaged in the development of offensive or defensive cyber platforms and is fully acquainted with the technological background of these industries.

Yuval Sasson heads the firm’s Homeland Security, Defense and Aerospace practice. He is a well-known lecturer and commentator on the legal and commercial issues relating to defense, homeland security, aerospace and military operations. As a former Deputy to Israel’s State Prosecutor, Yuval has extensive experience handling high profile cases involving sensitive security matters.

Representative experience

• Representation of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel’s largest defense company, on various aspects of its activities.
• Representation of Mikal Group and Soltam Systems Ltd. in their commercial activities.
• Representation of Israeli pilots arrested in Eritrea on suspicion of arms smuggling, leading to their release together with their aircraft.
• Representation of an Israeli arms manufacturer in an investigation and compliance committee regarding export control matters.
• Representation of Global CST Ltd., part of the Shapir Group, as one of the two finalists in a Ministry of Defense tender to move the IDF’s training camps to the Negev.
• Advising an African State in matters concerning United Nations Security Council’s arms bans.
• Representation of multinational and local companies in connection with accusations of bribery and other alleged corruption.
• Representation of Namakwa Diamonds Ltd. in cross-border litigation in Israel, South Africa and Belgium involving local diamond exchanges as well as the WFDB (World Federation of Diamond Bourses).
• Representation of the cyber start-up company Cyvera in all regulatory matters related to its acquisition by Palo Alto Networks.
• Representation of Spacecom in various issues, including international arbitration matters.