Obama blocked arms deliveries to Israel, directed that no shipment be made without his approval

[Galraedia]

Source: World Tribune

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has ordered his administration not to approve U.S. weapons deliveries to Israel.

Officials said the White House ordered the State Department and Defense Department to suspend any Israeli request for weapons or other military supplies. They said Obama issued a directive that any Israeli request, regardless of size, must require his approval.

“It is unprecedented that the president approve every item in a military-to-military relationship, but this is exactly what has been decided,” an official said.

Officials said the White House issued the directive amid Israel’s war with the Gaza Strip. They said Obama, who approved aid to Israel’s Iron Dome missile and rocket defense program, was furious that the Defense Department approved what was termed routine Israeli requests for munitions and missiles in July 2014.

Read more: http://www.worldtribune.com/2014/08/15/furious-obama-blocked-arms-deliveries-israel-state-dept-approved-july-request/

[Mr.Bill]

1. There you go, Pubs.

You want strong leadership? There it is.

[Voice for Peace]

2. thanks Obama.

see how Bibi likes dat.

[Bigmack]

3. 'Bout Time! Thanks nt

[Galraedia]

4. US Aid To Israel Is Illegal According To US Law

The 1976 amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 clearly bans U.S. economic/military assistance, and export credits to countries that deliver, receive, acquire, or transfer nuclear enrichment technology when they do not comply with IAEA regulations and inspections. The Glenn Amendment of 1977 also bans aid to countries that import nuclear reprocessing technology. Not only does Israel refuse to comply with IAEA regulations and inspections, but it has actually stolen nuclear technology and equipment from the US. In fact, recently declassified documents implicate current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the theft of US nuclear materials.

The US-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 secures further aid to Israel to ensure its military advantage in the region, but in reality, Israel has an enormous nuclear arsenal that could destroy half of the planet. According to United Nations records, and human rights groups, Israel is one of the worst nations on the planet. In reality, Israel is in no danger from its neighbors, but quite the reverse is actually true.

Read more: http://thebilzerianreport.com/us-aid-to-israel-is-illegal-according-to-us-law/

[rocktivity]

10. Which is why we've they've been getting aid all these years with a nudge and wink

and without "official" U.S. presidential approval.

Which no doubt would have continued if Netanyahu hadn't mouthed off.


rocktivity

[winstars]

5. World Tribune, who are they????? nt

[leftynyc]

12. Looks like a Buddhist

paper on international stories. There is not one person quoted in the article. I found this part very interesting. Look who their partners are.

The Internet community is a cooperative arena. Going it alone is not an option. The following World Tribune.com content partners have both contributed articles and columns and have helped alert the worldwide web to its exclusive reports:
DrudgeReport.com Middle East Newsline GertzFile.com
Breitbart.com The Washington Times Hoover Institution
NewsMax.com Geostrategy-Direct.com Hudson Institute
WorldNetDaily.com East-Asia-Intel.com Int. Strat. Studies Assoc.

http://www.worldtribune.com/about/

This bastion of journalism is the only place I'm seeing this story. Neither the NY Times or the Wash Post has it anywhere on their sites.

[winstars]

18. Well, by that list it looks like they play it straight down the middle... NOT!!!!!

[bunnies]

19. posts like this are the reason i try to read entire threads. nt

[karynnj]

24. It's name seems to suggest it hsopes that Americans confuse it with the International Herald Tribune

which was (back in the pre internet day) the paper that many travelers bought for American news.

The story was also in the Wall Street Journal - in a pretty even handed account. (Their opinion page is right wing, but their news pages are often fine.

However, read the Jerusalem Post article and it is clear that the articles intentionally maximized the differences between Israel and the administration. To me, what I see is the state department spokeswoman trying to put the decision in context ... and Netanyahu, who in my mind deserves by far the majority of blame for the relationship's problems, is quoted as saying:

At a press conference with the foreign press on August 2, Netanyahu said that the US has been “terrific” during the current crisis.

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon’s office, meanwhile, would not comment on the report, saying only that there was a conversation on Wednesday between Ya’alon and US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel that went well.

In a statement released on Thursday, Ya’alon’s office quoted him as saying “We very much appreciate our relations with the United States.
http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/No-change-in-policy-on-weapons-deliveries-to-Israel-US-says-371159


The fact is that Netanyahu, despite his outrageous behavior to the US, won't pay a price for this. It elevated his approval in Israel and neither Obama or Kerry are petty enough to punish Israel for their despicable President -- and Congress would not let them.

I wonder if the real goal was to weaken Kerry/Obama on the Iran negotiations by trying to destroy their reputations. It is pretty clear that Netanyahu sees that ends justify means -- no matter the collateral cost. His action on the DRAFT shows this - a normal response would have been to privately said what was not ok and what their alternative was. That would have led to either a stalemate with no agreement or repeated changes on both sides. Instead he and his administration tried to destroy Kerry's reputation (and Obama's as the person directing him).

I am Jewish and have often questioned people screaming about Israel/AIPAC setting our policy - but their actions this year and their pushing our Congress on Iran makes it hard to defend them. It is sickening that they clearly want the US to attack Iran rather than reach a peaceful solution.

[leftynyc]

29. I detest Bibi

I think he's been horrible for Israel but when people feel threatened, they move right wing. We've seen this time and time again. Bibi understands American politics (he was educated here) and knows he doesn't have to get along with the President, he has to get along with Congress. The reality is that the majority of Americans, in both parties, strongly support Israel and Congress is representing their interests.

I've been taking heat here for being a strong supporter of Israel and heat from another site that doesn't think I'm a strong enough supporter of Israel. It's been an interesting time. But you're right, this was a terrible source that speculates and uses no officials by name. It seems I was the only one who went to find out who they associated with and it's quite a list. That people ate up what they had to say - a source with a strong interest in creating a chasm between Jewish voters and the Democratic party - without question - is disturbing.

[karynnj]

31. I am pretty much in the place you are

and agree that Bibi knows he can get away with everything he does and still have 100 Senators vote to support Israel.

In some ways, I feel about the same as I did as an American who hated Bush's actions - being a Jew who detests where Israel is going. It is pretty clear that Bibi will strong arm the administration to avoid any improvement in the Gaza strip - because it is clear he wants the story to be that he "won".

I can imagine how hard it is to be in your position being hit from each side.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

25. can you link me to the Buddhist connection?

As a Buddhist, I subscribe to the World Tribune, and it bears no resemblance whatsoever to what I saw at the link.

I scrolled and clicked around the site, but didn't see any connections to the SGI.org --Soka Gakkai International, nor to SGI-USA.org, which publishes and distributes the Buddhist World Tribune.

I did see, at the bottom of the page. (Bolded by me) ,

World Tribune Log in StatCounter - Free Web Tracker and Counter - • Legal Counsel: Roy M. Cohn (1927-1986) Backup Paralegals: Hammer, Rude, Hussein, Nasty and Tong

lol!


Thanks!

[leftynyc]

30. My apologies

I did the google search and the two came up one after the other and I assumed they were connected due to the exact same name (how did they get that passed the patent office?). Seems the source used in the OP is merely a right wing piece of shit.

[Maedhros]

6. Good work, Obama.

More efforts like this, please.

[Botany]

7. force Israel to really seak a real peace and a two state solution

[Chemisse]

15. Exactly. They have had no real incentive in the past,

with American money and war supplies theirs for the asking, and unqualified support of whatever they choose to do to the Palestinians.

[Cha]

8. Bibi and the repubs are pissed! And who else?

[supercats]

9. Good Work...

Thats how you lead....Don't ever let Netanyahu tell you what to do again...He's just a bully. Keep him in his place. Now why don't you act like this with all the vulgar republicans? Show them who's in charge too!!!

[Sienna86]

11. I've always felt that Obama assumes everyone has his high standards

Then he is shocked and angry to find they don't.

[Chemisse]

13. Holy crap! Is this The Onion?!!

Or is Obama really taking a stand that goes against all political pressure?

[Chasstev365]

14. NEVER Second Guess me on Hamas Again!

Arrogant Asshole! Benjamin Netayhu is a war criminal!

[Chemisse]

16. I wonder if it was that very comment that turned the tide.

Since Obama was spouting the usual pro-Israeli jargon just a few weeks ago.

Or, more likely, it was the really shocking news out of Gaza.

[savalez]

32. You betcha.

Well, that and the senseless killing.

[leftynyc]

20. Why don't you read comment #12

And see what this "source" is all about.

[awoke_in_2003]

17. K&R. nt

[peacebird]

21. This is reported in the WSJ and The Hill also

Google Obama arms Israel and multiple mainstream sources pop up with the story so it appears Bibi may have effed up with his "never criticize me" comments....

[leftynyc]

22. Please provide links

I just went to both sites and see nothing about all arms to Israel being stopped and the President having to approve all shipments. Absolutely nothing. Did you read comment #12 about the bastion of journalism you're using here? Aside from their partners, not one official is quoted. Has it escaped everyone here that all their partners have a stake in trying to drive a wedge between Jewish voters and the Democratic party and making it seem Pres Obama is anti-Israel? Has this place gone round the bend so far on this issue that they'll use a partner of the Drudge report, Newsmax, WWD to push their point?

[peacebird]

23. Here you go!

http://thehill.com/policy/defense/215108-wh-scrutinizing-israeli-arms-requests-after-caught-off-guard

Go to google and search on obama arms israel

http://www.timesofisrael.com/washington-limiting-arms-transfers-to-israel-as-ties-cool-report/

http://online.wsj.com/articles/u-s-sway-over-israel-on-gaza-at-a-low-1407979365

http://www.newsweek.com/usisrael-relations-low-ebb-hellfire-missile-supplies-halted-264724

[BlancheSplanchnik]

26. thanks! n/t

[leftynyc]

35. The story is complete bullshit

Just as I suspected:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/18/1322634/--No-change-in-procedure-for-arming-Israel

[peacebird]

36. Too bad. Here at last I thought there was Change I could believe in.

[fredamae]

27. Now-if we could only

get our government to stop "supplying arms" to law enforcement in our country?

[Owl]

34. Exactly!

[wildbilln864]

28. good! n/t

[Iamthetruth]

33. Interesting

Not one network is reporting this, wonder why?

[LiberalElite]

37. Good for him nt