Despite U.S. rap, Netanyahu says IDF will keep 'aggressively' defending Israelis

Extrajudicial killings on a routine basis. This is democracy? Israel needs to stop intoning this tired old fiction.

what is there to be explained? Criminal should be put to death, in Israel or USA, what does obama know?

Appreciate the honesty. Do you support israel policy ?

I think you will find that a greater number of Americans Citizens voted for President Obama than "Majority of American Jews" You take to much credit!!

many people do not realize that the level of arab aggression is also a determining factor in what goes on in israel. they also overestimate the abilities of israel to "enforce the law". The law does not apply in the west bank because the people there do not believe in it, at least the same laws that we believe in. If murder is not condemned if done for a reason then we should be arguing about the reasons and not about who did what to whom.

Game over every time you play "throwing the stone and hide the hand" this is not working anymore. Every time your people is going to attack Israel they will receive back "disproportionate" response. If like play with our civilians you know that we have an army that will defend them Enjoy your medicine.

It is true the money is spent in the US. However if we spent it on infrastructure instead of sending it to Israel, it would still be spent in the US and we would wind up very far ahead in terms of benefit to us.

They had a military trial,were judged for their previous crimes,crimes against humanity,war crimes,found guilty,condemned to death and executed with the respect for their military past.With bullets. So where is the problem?Can't live with the fact that they won't kill any civilian anymore?

Kudos to those who demand that Israel put all militants on trial. But they don't go far enough! This principle should be applied to every war. No soldier should be permitted to try to kill any other soldier, even during a fire fight, unless that other soldier had been found guilty--of being a soldier on the other side I presume--by a fair and open trial.

Is that the Bush doctrine? the Netanyahu doctrine?

Bibi please tell Obama you will call him back shortly to explain fully,, like in three years...

Rabbi Hai? Another hudna,Fatah style.!

civillian casualties.? Ditto for all the forces present in Afghanistan.

How do any police who corner what they think is a murderer know what they think is right? All they can do is pursue those they think responsible, ask them to give themselves up and if there is a refusal to give up, then use force. Where the suspicion is that the culprits are murderers, lethal force is warranted and used throughout the world. What's missing in your analysis is that these Pal thugs did not give the settler any opportunity to defend himself for his terrible sin, according to these thugs, of trespass.

Its pretty significant, about $3 B. However, almost all of that is spent in the U.S. and benefits U.S. suppliers. Its far less significant than most anti-Israeli's make out, especially in light of Israel's booming economy mostly spawned by intellectual property. And the big beneficiary of that intellectual property is the U.S.

Everyear in the U.S. there are many criminals who refuse to come out of a hidehout or house and ultimately get killed BEFORE THEY CAN FACE A JUSTICE SYSTEM. Not only in the states but throughout the world. Nothing more and nothing less happened in the case you complain about. But much less happened when these three delusional thugs killed the settler. There was no opportunity for him to defend what you say is his big crime, one deserving death, of trespass.

At least Israel gave them an opportunity to face a justice system. That is far more than they gave the settler.

Chet, Like most of my colleagues here in Washington, I am a strong supporter of Israel. I am in no way an unbiased observer. I am, and will always be, a vigorous advocate for the only Jewish state on the planet. Best wishes to you!

nyl:"A militant Rabbi is killed" Where did you get the adjective "militant", while this makes great propaganda nowhere was it stated that he is/was militant. nyl:"identified the killers" How ominous? Remember the Malvo case here in the U.S. we just executed his accomplice about two weeks ago. nyl:"boldly assassinated them with impunity" Actually they could have surrendered but chose not to. nyl:"confirming ballistics test on a confiscated weapon" Exactly, in the original article pictures of the confiscated weapons were shown. Ballistic testing was positive. So what your problem? Why present the facts as if conspiracy, one that you simply don't prove. Instead you use adjectives to create the false and unprovable implication of a conspiracy.

So that ends that. Now of course the anti-Israel writers again will protest. If the gloves fits you must not acquit. Case closed, Guilty as charged.

Israel is not being clear as to how they identified these three subjects as the perpetrators in the shooting of the settler. I mean if they are the perpetrators then do what you have to do. However, you kill someone who didn't pose a threat to the soldiers and then you send his weapon into the crime lab for ballistic testing and identification? Sounds like Israel has a policy of executing suspects before being found guilty. If that is so, it surely denies her the right of being a just nation.

It would be far more appropriate if the White House demanded an immediate clarification from the Abbas stooge of why the Rabbi was murdered. I don't believe he was firing from a rifle when attacked.

Your posts help show why the U.S. wars in the Mid-East have served the interests of Israel and not my country. Zionism has been at war with the Palestinians for a hundred years. Israeli pulic opinion shows not the slightest inclination to change that situation. When Netanyahu says he wants peace, what he (and you) mean is surrender. The pro-Israel lobby in my country has succeeded in drawing our righteous democracy into defending your apartheid state. Doubtless you now want us to make war on your behalf against Iran. At some point, the American people are going to wake up to the lies they have been fed. When that day comes, take to your fox hole.

Israel must do what it deems to be correct action to defend itself against terror. The vulnerable Rabbi had no chance against the group of cowardly terrorists. How dare USA ask for explanation when the IDF roots out the culprits. Has it gone mad? Israel please treat this with the contempt it deserves. Stand strong, you have millions of supporters all over the world, east west north and south. You are the world's silent hope against the relentless tyranny of the terrorists.

if all of you believe that israel's use of hit squads against "suspects" who have been implicated by "hearsay"(the ONLY way these guys could have been identified as the perpetrators), is "justice"; then you've got no room to criticize any of the worlds most repressive regimes, including the nazis, for their extrajudicial methods. "dead men tell no tales"...right guys? and israeli justice is "swift"...right guys? and everyone can breathe easier because they "know" the killers are dead...right guys? right? we "know" they're dead...right? cuz israeli "justice" is swift when it comes to palestinians...right guys? it makes bibi look good, too...right guys? and no one's alive to say otherwise...right guys? oh, and by the way, a weapon that "one" of the men had(the only one to have any weapons), was "found" to be the one used in the killing. nothing like having forensic evidence "after the fact"...right guys? and of course, "nobody" doubts the integrity of israeli security forces not to cover their tracks...right guys? they have a proven record of that...right guys? but were they the "right guys"? none of you know...and none of you care...right guys? the euphoria your posts exhibit is not for justice; it's for vengeance...right guys? maybe you don't see that...but everyone else CAN... and how DARE the u.s. question israel's use of "hit squads" to carry out "justice"...right guys? (psssst!...even iran at least puts on a show trial before executing "suspects")

... of your post. The spent casings have a distinctive dent on the primer, and abrasive longitudinal marks along the sides. Traceable to a particular weapon. You are right, however, that the bullet itself bears marks tracable to a particular weapon.

For all those wishing to see Obama out in 2012, keep it up, you'll probably get your wish. Minor problem, by then there will have passed 4 years during which the perception of Israel's activities had been seen for what they are by the world and half the US and there is no chance that the world will go back to looking the other way when it comes to occupation brutality and Israeli lack of democracy. In fact I believe that the next president will be twice the tyrant Bush and an even more ardent Israeli supporter was which is what is going to take to tip the world over the edge and US will be openly isolated. So keep on egging on Tyranny Israelis, eventually you will succeed and all you will have to back you is a diminishing old Giant in a world of growing young stronger giants.

My dream is not a "2 state solution" but to tell the US to keep their money and to mind their own business!

As to the Nablus men being unarmed and offering no resistance, please see: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1137753.html Of course, being the unbiased observer that you obviously are, you will question the accuracy of the B'Tselem investigation.

For all we know, the person who tipped the IDF may have planted the gun on these 3's premises in order to get rid of them. The Tipster may even have been the perpetrator who is walking clean to kill another settlor. Or the IDF itself may have planted the evidence to cover the assination. Afte all, we read a few days ago that the Israeli Forensics Institute harvested body parts without families' consents, so we are not dealing with Mother Teresea types. Or perhaps they were indeed guilty, but a fair and impartial trial is the only way to seek justice; but there has to be a willing government. Now we will never know the truth. The truth is just what the IDF says now. See the danger.

Hi Chet--Just wondering how you know these killers who were found with the guns they committed the murder of an innocent father of 7 children with "offerred no resistance"? In my opinion, Israel acted properly in this case. They are a tiny country sournded by hostiles. Deterance is a major facotor in their defense strategy. Those who would do harm to Israelis must be put on notice that there will be consequences.

First, as to the US right to question - Israel receives $3B a year from the US as well as the protection of the US veto in the UNSC. Without this support, would Israel have survived over the past sixty years? As to the "clarification" - the Israeli reasons for the killings of the three Palestinians are clearly bogus as they were unarmed and offered no resistance. If this was not extra-judicial murder, as it appears to be, the US needs clarity if it is called upon to defend Israel's actions.

Several versions of these "arrests" are available. Many people have noted IDF-"Settler" collusion in land theft. Many more have become sceptical of IDF accounts since Cast Lead and the stone-walling of Goldstone. It's just too convenient for the IDF that their inability to properly arrest these three suspects from three separate homes at that time of night will not be subject to court review.

it is the bullet not the spent shell that match that makes a case NOT spent shell casing....spent shell casing from that rifle all look the same...you are grabing at straws

Everyone's saying they had no chance to defend themselves which is ridiculous. The Israelis fairly and justly gave them all the warning they needed. They did not surrender and they paid the consequences. What is so inhumane? Police in America shoot people who run away from them. It shouldn't be different in Israel. Palestinians need to cooperate with the IDF or face the consequences. Plus, these people are proven to be terrorists. Their guns matched the ballistics test from the bullets used to murder the innocent Rabbi. I wonder if these other people even bothered reading the whole article.

P.M. populist statement is for medias and not for public consumption . While at Abu Mazzen urging , P.M. fight Hamas , P.M. fail to keep the tab against Abu Mazzen suicidal military Al Aqsa brigades . In return for medias consumption, medias cover P.M. fatal mistakes saying 'isolated incident'. Israel's gestures and roadblocks removal enable freedom of movement to terrorists and more arab terror .

OK, the US gives billions of dollars of aid a year to Israel. I think it's silly for nationalists on the Israeli side to complain about America's involvement in their affairs while taking American money. If you DONT want to answer questions about what you do with the money of US taxpayers, don't recieve it.

What you say is true for countries of laws. However, the WB is not a country of laws. It is more like the American West of the late 1800s. Essentially the law is established by whoever is the best shot. Everyone including you rejoiced when the Rabbi was shot. The Brigades bragged, Abbas approved. But if the rabbi was your own brother, you would have grabbed a rifle, stormed into town, and did the deed yourself. Maybe when Abbas gets off his arse, sits down and establishes his state, there can be law and order in the WB.

it seems due processes and fair trials are something unnkown in Israel, especially when it comes to Palestinians!!! The declaration of Netanyahu is similar to announcements of former Iraqi President Sadam against the Kurds... BRAVO Netanyahu, welcome in the club of politicians that history will remember as racists...

#10 & #18 my Condolences to the victims.

The USA should put their act together at home first, where they have a hell of a lot to do. Somehow I missed the request from the USA about a clarification about last week killing in the West Bank of an innocent driver? Arrogance comes befor the fall!!

Police say M-16 belonging to terrorist killed during IDF operation Saturday matches shells found at scene of Rabbi Meir Avshalom Hai's murder. The police forensics lab determined that one of the rifles seized from the Palestinian terrorists who were killed in Shckhem (Nablus) Saturday was used in last week's murder of Jewish settler Rabbi Meir Avshalom Hai in the West Bank. The M-16 rifle, which belonged to Tanzim member Anan Sabah, was found to be compatible with the bullet shells found at the scene of Hai-s murder. Sabah had been released from an Israeli prison as part of the amnesty deal with the Palestinian Authority in 2007, in which Israel agreed not to hunt down Palestinian gunmen who agreed to lay down their arms. "No two weapons leave the same indentation on the ammunition," a police official said Sunday. The lab test results are admissible in court. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3825733,00.html

Well, perhaps it would have been better had they allowed the Palestinians to arrest them, as one did turn himself in to the Palestinian authorities. Are they going to bother to do a DNA check if truly their fingerprints were on the weapons? If the PA is truly responsible, how is it that these Fatah affiliated militants who were responsible for the second intifada managed to kill Meir Hai,z"l? Israel was not going to wait around for all these questions to be answered, as Obama and the U.S. do not wait around in their aggressive campaigns, as posters have mentioned.

The aid money comes back into American economy , while Israel is in a front line in defending American and the free worlds interests in the ME for decades . The crams , of what many call money, is well spent . It is just a big BS giving some a dead horse to jump on .

In a lawful state you cannot resist an arrest. The right to defence, a lawyer, etc. applies to a trial, which is to be held after the arrest. If you resist an arrest, and are armed, expect bad things to happen.

One would hope you voted for him to do what is best for the US. If that involves hurting Israel, what's wrong with that (if it's good for us)?

But why can't Israel throw the pa a bone. Acknowledge their efforts. Say all violence against civilian will be dealt with harshly. It's not just israelis getting pummeled. The "price tag" policy has yet to be called by Israel for what it is--"terror". When that happens there will be more sympathy for Israel.

Let's review the facts - A militant Rabbi is killed on Thursday. By the following Saturday, the Israeli authorities have not only identified the killers, but have boldly assassinated them with impunity, run a confirming ballistics test on a confiscated weapon and are already being absolved of any culpability by the USA. This is not how law-abiding democracies are supposed to operate in the 21st century. This is faith-based martial law. The murder of the three suspects were summary executions. This is not democracy, nor the rule of law, this is extra-judicial vendetta and the law of the jungle. Bibi keeps the fear level high and the hate level even higher, without the "justified" antipathy, he is nothing, and he knows it. This self-serving demagogue may lead Israel to absolute ruination, the trajectory seems about right. Shalom!

why was the guy in jail for seven years then released maybe he was locked up for no reason and wanted revenge

How do you know that they refused to be arrested or were even the actual murderers of the rabbi Jay in light of the fact they were shot at point blank unarmed withouta trial? Israel is becoming a perfect replica of all other states in the Middle East a theocratic state with no rule of law. This is why there will never be mass aliyah of US Jews, they know that Israel is no United States.

I thought your answer would be apropriate when I see you frustrated over the death of the three ethnic cleansers who were killed without a fair trial...

We, the majority of American Jews that voted Obama into office, demand clarification as to why he is trying to weaken Israel's resolve to defend itself. We didn't vote for him so that he should harm Israel. 2012 is around the corner.

Perhaps killing unarmed men is against the rule of law that most nations observe, with the exception of course of Israel, Russia, Zimbabwe, The Sudan, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, and Syria. Nice company to be a member of. A nation of laws arrests criminals and puts them on trial and then when found guilty, imprisons them. The right wing in Israel believe every Arab is a terrorist that can be shot and killed whenever an Israeli feels the urge. This is not the same country David Ben Gurion helped create. It is a country without a soul that is the strongest country in the region but yet feels itself the victim and lashes out at its enemies recklessly without regard for human life.

If murderers do not surrender to the authorties who come to arrest them, should they be let free or should lethal force be used. The choice was the murders. Surrender or die.

@Doron Katz Quod licet iovi non licet bovi

and what about israeli killers ? and settlers ? They should not go free. Palestinians have the right to defend themselves against those agressions ! NACHON ? Your justice is not justice.

for targeting civilians by an enemy? Congratulations to the IDF for finding those responsible, and putting an end to the murder of civilians by terrorists.

We are not questioning your methods of killing terrorists. Why do you think that we owe you an explanation regarding how we deal with them?

Unless of course they keep on taking American Taxpayer money. There will come a day even when AIPAC's congressional friends cannot justify the continuation of aid on present terms. Hopefully soon. JStreet should help.

Bibi acted correctly. The worse answer for the terror attack would be hesitation. And I have to admit that the Israelis know act as bad boys when necessary.

first place and why didn't the Palestinian Authority take care of it quickly... The US even asking is way out of line... Israel owes no explanation to the Obama administration.

Asking for an explanation is like asking U.S marines in Iraq why they shoot and kill known terrorists responsible for killing Americans. Obama, you can choose to side with a people who choose violence over growth, or you can support Israel. The only democracy in the middle east. Either way, it's to late to win me back. Obama, you have gone to far in subjugating your friends.

If in fact Israel can make it without the financial and diplomatic support of the US, it would still wind up in tough shape. He who pays the piper calls the tune. If you don't like our butting in, do without our help.

Meir Hai was not given a trial and was unarmed when he was shot in the head. Don't remember you decrying his murder. Hypocrites!

I have not heard Obama ask for explanations about the murder of a rabbi. Why doesn?t he ask the al-aqsa murderers? chief, Abbas.

What the heck is the problem?? They were members of a terror group and they were killed. Case closed. Move on to the next group.

Has Israel lost its independence? The US doesn`t even wait for a customary declaration, it immediately urges for an EXPLANATION.

Self defence from "suspects" who, as usual, had no opportunity to present a defence of their own! Let's see if the Americans agree with Israel's definition of "self defence" They know full well that this will escalate the violence - putting more Settles at risk. Difficult to see how they are being defended!

Israel's definition of trial by Jury.

Nuuu. They were terrorists. They killed a Jewish west bank "RESIDENT". The IDF found them. The IDF shot them. That's it! Any more stupid questions? P.S. If the killers are dead the IDF doesn't have to set them free later in an exchange. Killers should not go free, NACHON? What language do you need this explaind in Mr. Obama?

If this story is really true, Bibi, should ask himself how would begin respond. Or Sharon, Shamir or Arens. Enough getting pushed around by Rahm. If Bibi can't stand up to Obama, bring back Arens!