Though senior White House officials were quoted on Israel’s Channel 10 as saying that the cabinet shuffle in Israel would not impact ongoing “cooperation” with Israel, Israel’s Channel 2 reported that the US had privately warned that Avigdor Lieberman’s installation as defense minister “complicates” the aid talks.
The US currently gives Israel $3 billion annually, under a 10-year deal that expires in 2018. The two nations are negotiating a new military aid package, with Israel seeking at least $4 billion annually and reportedly turning down an offer of $3.5 billion.
The US plans to up the aid, coming at a time when Israel is installing its most far-right government ever, complete with an ultra-hawkish defense minister, is likely to raise eyebrows internationally, and while it indeed probably won’t keep the US from signing off on the deal, it certain does “complicate” the process.
At the same time, the US didn’t particularly care for outgoing Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, who had publicly criticized Secretary of State John Kerry on occasion, earning some angry condemnations from US officials.
Lieberman’s general hostility to the peace process, and his general hostility to most things, are likely to make him wildly controversial internationally, and if the US quickly signs a boosted aid package, it risks being seen both as endorsing Israel’s latest shift rightward and everything Lieberman ends up doing in office.
As usual, the U.S. will continue to aid and abet the fascist state of Israel and American citizens will have no say in the matter. Truly, a “Democracy”.
Too bad it doesn’t “complicate” things enough to put an end to the illegitimate welfare.
“reportedly turning down an offer of $3.5 billion.”
In a typical negotiation each party has something of value to the other party. In this case you have the U.S.’s blind support, which is essential to the survival of Israel and you have the racist and belligerent state of Israel, which is a net liability to the U.S. If it wasn’t for the traitorous zionist fifth column in the U.S. there would be zero funding for this wealthy state. It’s not a negotiation, it’s a parasite feeding on its host.
Even that $3.5 billion in financial/military aid is $3.5 billion too much. As you said, Donatella, in a typical negotiation each party has something of value to the other; and in this case, you have America’s blind support, which is essential to Israel’s survival, and you have the racist, belligerent state of Israel, which is a net liability to the US. As you also said, if it wasn’t for the traitorous Zionist fifth column, there would be zero funding for this wealthy state. It isn’t a negotiation; it’s a parasite feeding on its host.
Great analogy, buddy; you just hit the nail squarely on the head.
Its all smoke & mirrors. Israel gets whatever they want from the USA, but hopefully, they won’t get the increase in military aid.
Stop all “aid” to the Middle East and BDS Israel until she sues for a real peace.