Visiting the US today for two days of meetings, Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz is pushing for the Obama Administration to move beyond simply imposing round after round of new sanctions on Iran and get toward “credible threats” to invade Iran at a specific date.
“They need something in addition to the sanctions and in addition to the statements,” Steinitz insisted, adding that Israel is growing “impatient” and doesn’t believe negotiations are a path forward.
Steinitz stopped short of making any specific statements on what the date of the Israeli-demanded “ultimatum” for war should be, but Prime Minister Netanyahu has previously suggested dates in the next few months would suit Israeli interests in such a war.
Though Steinitz downplayed the timing of his visit, and insisted it had nothing to do with the nomination of Chuck Hagel for defense secretary, other members of his Likud Party have expressed “serious concern” about the nominee. The real timing, however, may be more related to Israel’s election later this month, with pushes for war being a centerpiece of Likud’s election campaign.
Again, if the Israelis are so set on starting a war they can't afford – unless they can cajole the US into doing the deed for them – why don't they just go ahead and do it…Is it because they don't know how the US would react? Is it they can't guarantee the US would take up the slack when it became obvious the Israelis civilians were going to get their butts kicked when the Iranians retaliated?
Don't be surprised when the Israelis attempt to instigate the US into the war — before the Hagel confirmation is completed, of course. You know, one of those "false flag" events the Israelis are so good at creating.
This is the guy who was pushing for an air and naval blockade of Iran this time last year, as reported here:
Israeli Finance Minister Pushes Naval, Aerial Blockade of Iran http://news.antiwar.com/2012/01/26/israeli-financ…
My guess is he's here to push the same idea since 2013 is the ideal time, once the latest round of talks are conveniently sabotaged, to start advocating for such a blockade. Once the Syria situation is resolved, sometime this year, Obama can start to prepare the US for the imposition of a blockade on Iran sometime later this year or in 2014.
It was Obama who suggested during his first election campaign that the US should blockade Iranian imports of refined petroleum products back when Iran did not have sufficient native refining capacity. Obama would be easily persuaded to impose a blockade today which he could spin as an "extension" of the unilateral sanctions regime.
Isreal is the ONLY threat to peace in the Middle East. The biggest terrorist threat the world has ever experienced.
The minister is correct – We should set a time line . But not for Iran ; the timeline should be for Israel to get its act together or forfeit our MONEY !!!
24 hours or the money stops. No, just stop the money – and pay back all the money loaned to you – with interest.
this guy whose bud nuttyahoo campaigned openly against obama….
now demands that he set a date to attack Iran…
the sheer arrogance of these people is astounding
and they wonder why no one likes them
It's called "chutzpah." Note how he's not talking about committing Israeli troops to the invasion. They have easier targets to beat up on, harass, shoot, maim, and bomb. The man is a fool.
In front of cameras, some one should have given him a gun and told him to get on with it.
I would take this as proof that Israel is now all about writing and starting wars. This guy is the finance minister. Why is he not talking about finance instead of attacking a member of the United nations. Btw would not the United nation be the organization to be the place to handle the problem?
What is really needed is total blocade of Israel, or eartquake 12!!! on Richter scale in Israel so Mankind is free. People in 4 corners will yet dearly regret most embarising mistake, most tragig decision of UN 1946 …humanity will defeat this Visible satanic nest on Planet Earth and truth Jews will be able restore their respect…. peter czech
Terrorist place in Province of Palestine State calls for wars! more wars! more destruction! ….Truth picture of Zionist nature!
Last major war may be WORLD against Zionism, World against Israel…and after that: Liberated World will enter Era of Universal peace – unchalenged …. peter czech
Here we go again .. I am so done with these guys running the USA foreign policy.
All of you commentors bring a tear of joy to my eye. Do you know how long I've been waiting to start hearing people acknowledge what a train wreck Israel is, how they manipulate US policy to our own detriment, how they abuse their neighbors and then claim to be the victim, how they suck the US dry with their entitled welfare attitudes, etc.? I'm so proud to see people willing to risk being called "anti-semitic" (sp?) in order to speak the truth.
Steven in Dallas.