Israelis may be excluded from Pentagon contracts

WASHINGTON — Israeli nationals could be banned from participating in U.S. defense contracts under new regulations that seek to keep foreigners out of sensitive projects.

U.S. officials said the Defense Department plans to reduce access by foreign nationals to military programs. They said this would include the use of foreign nationals in contracts relating to unclassified information used by the Pentagon.

Israeli nationals are said to be included in information technology-related contracts with the Pentagon, according to Middle East Newsline. This includes the sale of encryption technology and software required to protect the department's huge data base.