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| Europe |
| German state encouraging Israel’s Rafael to establish operations at Volkswagen plant |
| 2026-07-17 |
| [IsraelTimes] The German state of Lower Saxony is interested in supporting plans by Israeli defense company Rafael to establish operations at Volkswagen’s Osnabrueck site, two people familiar with the matter tell Reuters. The sources say various structures are being examined to facilitate Rafael’s entry into the site, where production of Volkswagen’s T-Roc Cabriolet is due to end next year. One model under discussion is a split of the Osnabrueck operation into two companies, an option first reported by the Handelsblatt news outlet, though the sources say this is only one of several strategies being considered. Rafael is interested in manufacturing components for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system at the plant. Reuters reported in April that the Israeli state-owned defense company had signed a letter of intent with Volkswagen regarding the site. A second source familiar with the discussions says that Lower Saxony — where Volkswagen is based and where it operates five ​of its six western German assembly plants — is optimistic the project will succeed despite reservations from Qatar, one of Volkswagen’s major shareholders. Volkswagen and Rafael do not immediately respond to requests for comment. Related: Lower Saxony: 2026-07-13 Majority of Gang Rape Suspects in Germany Are Foreign Nationals Lower Saxony: 2026-07-12 Germany Plans to Deport Afghans Without Criminal Records Lower Saxony: 2026-07-11 'A Pile of Ruins.' German auto giant closes plants and lays off workers Related: Rafael 07/16/2026 Blue-and-White Arms: Tracking Israel’s Long-Term Production and Import Programs Rafael 07/15/2026 Author says US publisher suddenly nixed Holocaust book after he refused to condemn Israel Rafael 07/13/2026 Qatar vetoes Volkswagen deal with Israeli defense company Rafael in Germany - report Related: Osnabrueck: 2022-07-06 Police across Europe have arrested about 130 people suspected of involvement in human trafficking Osnabrueck: 2017-08-22 Turku Attack Suspect Lived In Germany, Was Denied Asylum In Finland Osnabrueck: 2016-07-26 German police have 410 leads on possible terrorists among refugees |
| Posted by:trailing wife |
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| Posted by: European Conservative 2026-07-17 11:36 |
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| Posted by: trailing wife 2026-07-17 09:50 |
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| Posted by: trailing wife 2026-07-17 09:45 |
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| Posted by: Grom the Reflective 2026-07-17 07:11 |
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