I
n a sign of growing concern in Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s government over US President Barack Obama’s Middle East policies, Minister-without-Portfolio Yossi Peled proposed Israeli sanctions on the US in a letter to cabinet ministers on Sunday.
In the 11-page letter, obtained by The Jerusalem Post from a minister on Monday, Peled recommends steps Israel can take to compensate for the shift in American policy, which he believes has become hostile to Israel.
“Obama’s ascendance represents a turning point in America’s approach to the region, especially to Israel,” he wrote in the letter. “The new administration believes that in order to fight terror, guarantee stability and withdraw from Iraq, a new diplomatic slant is needed involving drastic steps to pacify the Muslim world and the adoption of a more balanced approach to Israel, including intensive pressure to stop building in settlements, remove outposts and advance the formation of a Palestinian state.”
… the minister suggests reconsidering military and civilian purchases from the US, selling sensitive equipment that the Washington opposes distributing internationally, and allowing other countries that compete with the US to get involved with the peace process and be given a foothold for their military forces and intelligence agencies….
In what may be his most controversial suggestion, Peled recommends intervening in American congressional races to weaken Obama and asking American Jewish donors not to contribute to Democratic congressional candidates. He predicted that this would result in Democratic candidates pressuring Obama to become more pro-Israel….
Peled personally gave the letter to Netanyahu at Sunday’s cabinet meeting and urged him to take it seriously. But a source close to the prime minister reacted to it with scorn and stressed that none of Peled’s suggestions would be implemented.
338 comments Add your comment
ByteMe
June 10th, 2009
2:26 pm
In the midst of insanity…
But a source close to the prime minister reacted to it with scorn
… sanity.
getalife
June 10th, 2009
2:30 pm
Sorry Israel.
We have to fight our own terrorists now.
Need to start arresting them before they attack again.
Right cons?
Normal
June 10th, 2009
2:33 pm
“Obama’s ascendance represents a turning point in America’s approach to the region, especially to Israel,” he wrote in the letter. “The new administration believes that in order to fight terror, guarantee stability and withdraw from Iraq, a new diplomatic slant is needed involving drastic steps to pacify the Muslim world and the adoption of a more balanced approach to Israel, including intensive pressure to stop building in settlements, remove outposts and advance the formation of a Palestinian state.”
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I have no problem with that.
… the minister suggests reconsidering military and civilian purchases from the US, selling sensitive equipment that the Washington opposes distributing internationally, and allowing other countries that compete with the US to get involved with the peace process and be given a foothold for their military forces and intelligence agencies….
———————-
I think that their are other people there who might buy them, as much as I hate to say that…
In what may be his most controversial suggestion, Peled recommends intervening in American congressional races to weaken Obama and asking American Jewish donors not to contribute to Democratic congressional candidates. He predicted that this would result in Democratic candidates pressuring Obama to become more pro-Israel….
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This is a slap in the face of all Americans who have held Isreal in esteem. Isreal wants peace, it seems, but only at their terms. A case of cutting off your nose to spite your face, I think. Another think
Mr Peled ought to be told to apologize at once. This is unreal
Zip
June 10th, 2009
2:46 pm
I agree with Peled. Elections have consequences. It’s nice to know that the Democrats aren’t just for sale to the Chinese. That’s what I call diversity.
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
June 10th, 2009
2:47 pm
Well, well, well, we sent our little bull-crapper out and he took a NYC date night, visited Paris, and spoke to the muslim world.
Seems the initials, B.O., are they only thing indicating an unhygenic, sorry-Joe the-Biden, stank eminating from the new adminsitration.
Looks like President Two-left Feet, while he was admiring his own reflection in the teleprompter, managed to back one of two civilized democracies in the middle east (thanks again, our heroic President Bush) into the corner.
Ol’ “Jess wordts” fancies himself to be sort sort of messianic pied piper who can blow his own horn and then have everyone fall in line behind him. As with: 1) his total unsuccesful request of Europe to take Gitmo prisons; 2) his daliance with Hugo Chavez which has left Chavez mocking President “I didn’t Understand” at every turn; and 3) the door he opened that has the Iranian dicatator laughing in his and America’s collective face, President Ob-amateur hit a very sour note and it looks as if he has, unwittingly and foolishly, hardened positions on both sides.
Good job num-nutz.
@@
June 10th, 2009
2:48 pm
I was reading an article at The Jerusalem Post the other day. Talked about how from an re-election standpoint, Obama is playing with fire. Bush 41 paid a political price.
Times have changed but depending on the circumstances, Jewish voters can be fickle.
Normal
June 10th, 2009
2:50 pm
@@ answered you downstairs.
Doggone/GA
June 10th, 2009
2:54 pm
Jay…all very well & good, I suppose, and I usually defend you when people get snarky about “cut and paste” on your blog…but it DOES say “little bit of opinion about a lot of things.” up at the top.
So, where’s the opinion?
RealityKing
June 10th, 2009
2:55 pm
Multiple Canadian City Councils voting to not allow US contractors access to Canadian projects is a much better problem for Americans. But apparently…, Jay is more concerned about Obummers re-election.
I Rule You :-)/ You Whine :-(
June 10th, 2009
2:55 pm
I remember not too long ago a mother that lost a son in the Iraq war was put, by the liberals, on the same moral equivalency as the Commander In Chief, so just for a moment, let us all try to figure where anyone can criticize the actions of a people that had whole entire generations slaughtered by assorted madmen all through their history.
I would be looking out for my people to.
josef nix
June 10th, 2009
2:56 pm
NORMAL–got your post earlier about my family. Yeah, have to admit we’re not standard issue in a lot of ways, but then, whose is? I wouldn’t take anything for it, though, I learned a lot just by “being seen and not heard.”
This post might be interesting for you and me. Just bear in mind, I respect you highly and along the way if you happen to have a bottle of Carmel Shiraz,,,,
@@
June 10th, 2009
2:57 pm
Normal:
…and I responded.
Paul
June 10th, 2009
3:06 pm
Jay
[[allowing other countries that compete with the US to get involved with the peace process and be given a foothold for their military forces and intelligence agencies….]]
Wow. But okay, which other countries really want to get involved? Intel sharing is one thing, but who in their right minds wants ‘a foothold for their military forces’?!!?
[[In what may be his most controversial suggestion, Peled recommends intervening in American congressional races to weaken Obama and asking American Jewish donors not to contribute to Democratic congressional candidates.]]
Controversial? He’s just following the pattern of America! Pres Obama supports certain Afg and Iraqi candidates, stumps for Ahmadinejad’s opponent…
Whether we do it or Israel does it, it’s called looking out for one’s national interests.
I still don’t think Pres Obama has seen the end game of what he’s doing. I find the attempt to break the logjam a good move, but if he doesn’t know where he’s going after that….
He watched what happened with that kind of shuttered thinking in Iraq and Afghanistan… and he repeats it…
Bosch
June 10th, 2009
3:07 pm
Hey man, it’s their funeral.
Doggone/GA
June 10th, 2009
3:08 pm
“but if he doesn’t know where he’s going after that….”
Who does? When it comes to the Middle-East all you can do is poke them and see which way they jump. And hope you’re nimble enough to get out of the way. No one can predict what they’ll do. Not ANY of them.
Normal
June 10th, 2009
3:09 pm
@@ and I did too…
Bosch
June 10th, 2009
3:09 pm
Maybe Rahm Emanuel needs to pay a “visit” to this Mr. Peled – with his baseball bat.
Bud Wiser
June 10th, 2009
3:12 pm
I wonder if this new approach to the US will include refusal to accept any and/or all aid, including military.
I doubt it.
Doggone/GA
June 10th, 2009
3:13 pm
“I wonder if this new approach to the US will include refusal to accept any and/or all aid, including military”
Yeah, it’s 2 edged sword, no doubt.
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
June 10th, 2009
3:15 pm
Bosch 3:07 pm
It is not, “their funeral.” My family has exclusively employed Jewish accountants, lawyers, & doctors sine the 1960s. Those folks will figure out a way to comeout on top. No one I have more respect for in the business world than the Jewish people, I don’t like their food, but they sure know how to put a deal together.
This is; however, America’s funeral as we President Ob-amateur take another step in forsaking the Lord G-d and his chosen people.
sane jane
June 10th, 2009
3:16 pm
I don’t really follow Israeli politics closely, but if Peled had to “urge [BiBi} to take it seriously” and other colleagues reacted with “scorn”… how is this any different from news outlets reporting the fringe lunatic ravings of Michelle “Crazy Eyes” Bachmann?
Just because you managed to get elected, it doesn’t mean people immediately start giving a hoot.
Besides, methinks it is Israel who is playing with fire.
TnGelding
June 10th, 2009
3:16 pm
Sanctions against the U.S.? He must have been joking. Might be time to show him who butters his bread.
As the philosopher Rodney King infamously said, can’t we all get along?
In the case of Israel and its neighbors, I would have to answer no, never.
sane jane
June 10th, 2009
3:17 pm
Byll, how can you not LOVE those latkes, fried potato pancakes with a bit o’ sour cream! Yum!
Paul
June 10th, 2009
3:18 pm
Doggone/GA
By that I meant: will he press Abbas to recognize Israel, as did Jordan and Egypt, in return for land and a treaty?
What’s the plan if Israel agrees and Abbas doesn’t?
What are the security guarantees and how will they be enforced?
What happens with Gaza? Two Palestinian states? Or one, split geographically? How administered? How to reconcile Hamas and Hezbollah? Or does he have a plan not to?
How does he realistically expect Netanyahu to agree? Will it cause the coalition to fracture? Who comes in then?
We may not be able to predict what they will do, but we have a pretty good idea. Pres Obama isn’t really saying anything different than past Presidents. Difference is, past presidents are like the parent who says “don’t make me tell you again… I mean it…. I told you to not make me tell you again…” and Obama’s bringing down the stick.
And why all the poking and prodding with just the Israelis? Are not the Palestinians part of the equation? The motivation is what?
Bosch
June 10th, 2009
3:19 pm
sane jane,
And bagels with lox topped with slivered onions and capers? YUMMY!!!
N-GA
June 10th, 2009
3:22 pm
Check this out: http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/politics/us-foreign-aid.htm
It would be interesting if the US stopped economic and military aid to Israel. In 2006 it amounted to $2.5 billion…more than any other country. Netanyahu and Jewish voters here in the US would soil their pants! Personally I find Israel creates more problems for the US than it eliminates.
Bud Wiser
June 10th, 2009
3:23 pm
Yeah, I’d agree that the Israelis are playing with fire.
And it is very very hot near the center of those exploding atoms…..
John
June 10th, 2009
3:26 pm
Sanctions? HA! We’re the only reason that pathetic little rock survives, and all we get for it are suicide bombers and intelligence we only need because of our support of them. You heard ‘em Obama, cut the bums off, do something right for a change.
Mya
June 10th, 2009
3:26 pm
Israel would not exists without the direct financial support of this nation. How arrogant that they think they can control US with their petty sanctions. They have got to be the most self-centered, self-serving people on the planet.
Jake
June 10th, 2009
3:28 pm
It’s pretty clear O’s gonna let Israel do the dirty work when Iran has to be taken care of but Netanyahu’s the man for the job. The Israelis simply cannot allow their neighbors to develop nuclear weapons, whether we help or not.
sane jane
June 10th, 2009
3:28 pm
Hiya Boschie! Are you related to (or the actual attorney) Bosch who has been… umm… in the news lately? Kudos if so! I wondered where you had been!
I’m guessing Byll was probably talking about gefilte fish? Only time I’ll say it on this blog: “ewwwwww”
I have no ill will toward the Israelis, but do find this kind of poke-in-the-eye annoying. Weren’t we, like, Israel’s only friend for fifty-some-odd years?
Grand Old Plan
June 10th, 2009
3:29 pm
That’s nothing. You ought to hear what sort of proposals our Congressmen have regarding Israel. Sanctions are a laugh. Like they do something. Talk of sanctions are just one item in a long list of trash talk to appease voters. About like that pro-life bull and drill here crap. Got tools.
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
June 10th, 2009
3:33 pm
sane jane 3:17 pm
Here’s how, everytime I have been to an authentic Jewish person’s home, I have been given stuff like pickled herring, something called “filtered fish” which looks like a white meatball that has been crapped out of a good sized dog, and a greasy pile of hashbrowns that they said was made with something called smoltz, like the pitcher, or a big greasy stew with lima beans and short ribs. Not my kind of fare.
On the other hand, those delicate potato pancakes (just like you, my strong liberal sugar plum) sound like something I’d really like to sample.
@@
June 10th, 2009
3:44 pm
Normal:
I’ll check it out, hoping that it’s not riddled with another hysterical outburst like the last one.
Bosch
June 10th, 2009
3:45 pm
sane jane,
OMG! What have we done now? I’ve been out of town soaking myself in tequilia and sand.
Me? An attorney? (Ya’ catch that Paul?) Oh dear jane – you just gave me quite a chuckle.
Bosch
June 10th, 2009
3:47 pm
I feel this situation is as someone mentioned a bit ago – like the Baumann chick (or however you spell the possessed one’s name) – they walk in the room, spouting their complete non-sense and all the rational sane ones in the room go “Oy! Will you shut the hell up? Geez!!!”
Jay
June 10th, 2009
3:49 pm
Is Wyld Byll for real, dear blogizens, or is he a slightly more subtle leg-puller along the lines of Redneck Convert?
Just when I think he’s this, he turns into that.
mm
June 10th, 2009
3:49 pm
Imanutjob will lose the Iran election tomorrow. With that happening, cutting the aid to Israel might be in store. Lose lips sink ships.
sane jane
June 10th, 2009
3:50 pm
Mya, you might consider directing your scorn at the other of the proposed idiotic sanctions, Peled.
When you paint with such broad strokes, labeling an entire nation of people as “the most self-centered, self-serving people on the planet”… it makes you sound kinda racists. Very racist, actually.
Unless that’s the look you’re going for?
Dave R.
June 10th, 2009
3:50 pm
Welcome to reality, Hope & Change.
Not everybody loves you or worships you.
I wonder how many American jobs you’re gonna “save or create” in the defense industry when the Israelis stop buying our technology? I hear Russia could use hard cash right about now.
Shawny
June 10th, 2009
3:51 pm
heck, we are even reading them their Miranda rights. Foreign fighters that targeted US troops:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/06/miranda_rights_for_terrorists.asp
Bud Wiser
June 10th, 2009
3:52 pm
Wyld Byll, you certainly have a way with words…“something called “filtered fish” which looks like a white meatball that has been crapped out of a good sized dog….
That is truly Pulitzer Prize material when laid next to something written by CynTuck and/or Jay.
I envy your literary skills.
Paul
June 10th, 2009
3:54 pm
Bosch the Attorney.
The mind reels…….
mm
June 10th, 2009
3:55 pm
Jay,
Some of these rightwing posters are so far out there, it’s hard to tell if they are serious or not.
Redneck Convert
June 10th, 2009
3:56 pm
Well, I sure hope the old guy that shot the guard at that museum had a liscence to carry. He might could be in real trouble if he didn’t. I mean, after we went to all the trouble of getting the DC gun laws overturned.
Have a good night everybody.
sane jane
June 10th, 2009
3:56 pm
Bosch is the name of the attorney in the “was she really kidnapped or was that part of her role-playing rape fantasy” story. Which has been a really fascinating read, by the way.
Oh Wyld Byll, flattery will get you EVERYWHERE. It’s a good thing you’re such a devout and pious Christian, otherwise I might try to tempt ya with the sins of the flesh!
(Everybody’s a religionist till the hot schoolteacher with a great rack starts flirting, huh? Then it’s “Hollyweird, here we come!”)
And by the way, Bosch, that “someone” referencing Bachmann was me. Sniff sniff.
rcs
June 10th, 2009
3:56 pm
What is an authentic Jewish person?
mm
June 10th, 2009
3:57 pm
Shawny posts a link to the Weekly Sh*tpile. You know it must be true.
sane jane
June 10th, 2009
3:57 pm
@ Sane Jane 3:50… “other” = “author”, you idiot.
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
June 10th, 2009
3:59 pm
rcs 3:56 pm
Someone who goes to church on Saturday and doesn’t believe in Jesus.