Germany, which bought the US Patriot air defense missile system just as the Cold War ended, has decided to sell some of the (many) missiles and launchers it no longer needs to Israel. Normally, Germany will not sell military equipment to Israel, as Germany considers Israel's use of such equipment to defend itself against Palestinian attack as oppression of the Palestinian people. But in this case, the missiles can only be used for defensive purposes (namely, Iraqi ballistic missiles.) However, Israel may only lease some Patriot systems from Germany, rather than buy them.