Since mid-May, there’s been a sparsely reported fact underpinning the Israeli government’s position on the Iran nuclear talks and eventual deal: their policy stance is for sale, and the right amount of US military aid would make intense Israeli lobbying simply go away.
Israeli officials have admitted as much in local media, though of course much of the deal is contingent on them not publicly having to disavow their previous stance. There has even been semi-public debate between the foreign and defense ministries over the deal, with the military wanting to get the deal done soon, and the foreign ministry believing they can get more by holding out.
In his conversation with Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu today, President Obama is said to have brought the matter up directly, hoping to get the ball rolling on the deal. Netanyahu was not interested in talking, in part because he wants to keep the negotiations quiet.
But Netanyahu is also seen favoring the Foreign Ministry’s argument, that Israel can get more billions out of the US by holding out and threatening to kill the deal with lobbying to the US Congress. This is a risky gamble, however.
While many seem to be treating the Israel Lobby as nigh-omnipotent, it seems a real long shot that they could actually sabotage the deal in this manner. If it becomes more obvious they’ll fail, the US will have less and less reason to bargain with Israel on this “aid” package. If the rhetoric coming out of Netanyahu’s office continues to be so anti-Obama, it may also convince him that they don’t need to make any payment to Israel at all.
How about giving some money back to the taxpayers instead?
I have a better idea. Stick instead of carrot. No veto will be available, no aid released, no planes or anything else delivered, no military cooperation, nothing until Israel shapes up. We might even help with some Security Council drafting to move it along.
Make sure that message is delivered clearly, and not just to Netanyahu, but to the elites in Israel who can influence him.
Congress can authorized, but only the Executive can execute, and it both can and has used that power before.
Mark Thomason for President!
well said Mark
Americans aren't you tired of Israel leading us around by the nose. It's time for us to stop giving our money and military support to this insidious country.
Since they already own the US government, all of the US military hardware should be theirs. Perhaps we could put a Carrier Battle Group at their disposal or a couple of Ohio class ballistics missile submarines, so they can project their power to intimidate militarily beyond the range of the Jericho III ICBM.
It's disgusting how many times Prez candidates mention the word Israel … Every 'ho has to find that billionaire sugar daddy to finance the campaign.
So —
has Netanyahu sent his registered foreign agents to the USA to discuss the position of Israel vis a vis the Iran agreement?
Event Horizon moment here… Obama is in a position of power regarding Israel right now. Netanyahoo is weakened at home by his defeat in trying to stop the deal. He failed and his opposition at home is nipping at his ankles. His poodles in the US Congress will most likely not be able to compile the votes to overturn any deal.
Since Netanyahoo made it clear to everyone that he dislikes Obama by campaigning for the Mittster it is only fair that Obama take this opportunity to help Bibi retire. Use his moment of power to get the Israelis to sit down and shut up. Sign on to any and all attempts in the UN to hold Israel accountable to their actions in Gaza – and elsewhere and everywhere they've been poking. Force the Israelis to stop the settlement expansions and return stolen land to the Palestinians. And force the Israelis to admit to and sign the NPT and allow inspectors access to all their nuclear/military sites – just as they wanted to implement against Iran…only fair.
And then, and only then, will the US discuss military aid. Not before. And the American taxpayer will NOT be the sacrificial pig – the Israelis will pay the full going price.
Seems only right to me that when you have a recalcitrant child you use the power you have to straighten them out.
Excellent post, curmudgeonvt
November 18, 2012 Israel and the U.S. CREATED Hamas, Hezbollah and Al Qaeda
Creating the Enemies We Now Fight Against We’ve extensively documented that the U.S. and Israel created Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups in an attempt to fight other enemies.
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2012/11/israel-and…
the welfare scam ramps up, the beggar without a bowl is fearful
Israel is unsustainable it needs to be abolished.