Israel urges U.S. to reaffirm support in light of Egypt unrest
U.S. officials meeting Barak stress administration's 'unshakeable' commitment; Israeli envoy: Foreign aid to Israel can't be taken for granted.
By Natasha MozgovayaDefense Minister Ehud Barak on Wednesday stressed the importance of U.S. support for Israeli security in light of the political unrest in Egypt, while Ambassador Michael Oren urged the Obama administration to reaffirm its commitment to that regard.
Barak met with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and National Security Advisor Tom Donilon at the White House on Wednesday evening, to discuss the tense situation in Egypt.
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Defense Minister Ehud Barak |
| Photo by: Emil Salman |
The White House press office said the meeting dealt with “the need to move forward on Middle East peace, our efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and other regional and bilateral issues.”
The U.S. officials stressed their country’s “unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security, including through our continued support for Israel’s military, and the unprecedented security cooperation between our two governments,” the White House said in its statement.
Barak's spokesman characterized the meeting as “excellent”.
Israel envoy Oren later Wednesday conveyed a similar message when he urged the administration to reaffirm its commitment to Israel, in an address to the Congressional Israel Allies Сaucus reception on Capitol Hill.
"The Israeli people would like to see the Egyptian people to enjoy the same liberties as we do, but there is also an anxiety and concern, because we've seen the democratic process being hijacked by radicals in Iran and Gaza," Oren said.
"We turn to the U.S. and send a message that we need your commitment to our security, especially today when the foreign aid for Israel cannot be taken for granted," Oren added. "We call upon you to maintain the same level of commitment to Israel’s security”.
Earlier on Wednesday, Barak met with the House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, and emphasized the importance of retaining the same level of assistance to Israel.
Following Wednesday's meetings, Barak left for New York, where he is schedule to meet Friday with Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations.
Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) told Haaretz in the aftermath of the meetings that he did not foresee any changes U.S. support for Israel.
“I think [cutting aid to Israel is] unlikely to happen. When there are deficits, it’s very easy to start talking about cutting foreign aid, because most people don’t care about foreign aid, but there is strong bipartisan support for Israel at the Congress”, said Engel.
Asked about the perceived foreign policy flip-flop of the U.S. administration on the situation in Egypt, Representative Engel said, “The message is mixed because it has to be mixed – on the one hand, you want to promote freedom and democracy, but on the other hand you don’t want it to slip into a situation similar to the Iranian revolution."
"We also have an obligation to the people who worked with us trying to keep stability in the Middle East, and the U.S. has to be a reliable friend," Engel added. "If the moment someone slips and falls, we kick him out of the door – we won’t have any friends in the future."
"It’s a very delicate balance. We all know Mubarak has finally got to go, but the administration is trying to work a very delicate balance to maintain stability,” Engel added.
“The situation is volatile and it changes every day, but I don’t think that the U.S. government will accept a new Egyptian government that doesn’t recognize the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel," Engel said.
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My American children will NOT fight and die to protect Israel after the mess that Israel has gotten ITSELF into. You don't want peace with your neighbors because you think Americans will die to protect you. You had better start thinking about creating your own peace with your neighbors, or you are liable to be fighting the Muslim world by yourself. No one I know will send their children to die for a greedy, land stealing country like Israel. Make peace with your neighbors, stop stealing land, stop ejecting Palestinians from the homes, stop stealing jerusalem. Make peace now while you still have a chance.
It is wonderful seeing the Arab countries, who occupy their people in a myriad of ways that would make the Marquis de Sade proud, finally attempting to change from within. I am hopeful that once they stop occupying the MIddle East with their hate, anger, racism, and avarice, Israel will be able to exist in peace not only with the Palestinians, but her neighbors who finally, finally, finally after so many years have at least a semblance of freedom. Perhaps then the rest of these horrific tyrants will step aside and a sense of trust amongst all of us will develop. Then, all of us can help support a very, very sick and tired America that truly has lost its soul and purpose. Yes, America needs help and I hope that the Middle East can repay them for all they have done for us in this time of great financial and moral need that poor nation is undergoing.
When the fit hits the shan Israel whines for the US. Grow up, shut up! End the occupation and make peace
why does every body wants america to stop his aid to israel? why did they not ask america to stop her aid to afganistan; egypt; pakistan; jordan and the palestinians? i see this as the propaganda of those who have been defeated( peaple without hope) the relation between the united states and israel is a relation which apes can not understand. when those who founded the US founded her two hundred years ago they did it with the BIBLE in their hands and their joy was great when israel came out in the forthys. so therefor the relation between the US and israel is far much more than the relations between two brothers. the united states is a judio/christian society they can not abandon the jewish GOD for islamic lies and propaganda .10/2/11
It's a meaningless concept without protection of minority rights. If the majority of Israelis voted to kill all the Palestinians, that wouldn't work out, but it would be democratic. Law either reflects human nature or it doesn't provide the stability that one hopes for. People will do what they want to do, but the limit is when this interferes with other persons' "pursuit of happiness". That is a delicate balance, but, ironically, one can see absolutely clearly the wooden shoe in the machinery that "sabotages" social welfare--some "law" that makes some group immune to this balancing effect. Jim Crow, if you will. You can spot Jim Crow a mile away. Mubarak should have a statue erected to him: just a huge pair of feet, on the sandy waist: and then a poem, by a noted Romantic--but when the statue was first set up, you could see it a mile away.
What has Israel done for the US to have a 'unshakeable' band: - USS liberty bombing? - Spying on the US? - Disgracing US with the settlements? - Israeli soldiers fighting in Iraq &Afganistan? What?
money, politicians. your answer, sir.
most citizens understand that it is either a waste, or it goes to countries such as Israel that frankly are rich enough to do without. It is time to take care of US financial matters first!
let barak and his attempt to once again sway US foreign policy be answered by the voice of the Egyptian people being heard. Mubarak is stepping down. The people have brought about a victory. Now focus on holding Israel to account and exposing its racist policies and the crimes of its occupation. Hold them to account. Now or never. Congratulations Egypt!
Sick of Israel's sycophantic fawning around the USA. I will scream if I have to read about any more of the unwavering support BS. Just cant fathom why the USA complies when Israel never ever seems to return any favours.
What about Israel being the only democratic ally in the middle east? What about most information about the middle east that the US has is from Israel? Are you saying the US should just have no part in the ME?
This guy seems to get a lot of "Air" time on Haaretz. The U.S. only assists when it sees a benefit. Plain and simple. Aside from the Wiki Leaks and the Palestine Papers which have ZERO credibility the reality of Middle East politics escapes 99% of people here. You have Arabs posing as Jews, Arabs posing as Americans and giving their propaganda. I can even notice discrepancies in the way the same person writes English. Take what people like Silver write with a grain of salt. The reality is that the U.S. needs a strong Israel more than ever. WHY?? Because without Israel the next regimes to fall are the Oil Sheikdoms. Then the entire world is in very very bad shape.
"the U.S. needs a strong Israel more than ever. WHY?? Because without Israel the next regimes to fall are the Oil Sheikdoms. Then the entire world is in very very bad shape." -- First: Israel has absolutely no influence on what happens in the Arab states. They are helpless onlookers at the Egypt scebery. Second: No matter who rules, they all have to sell their oil. Or did you see Iran drop out of oil-exporting countries?
Israel does not need American financial aid. We can do just fine without it but truly, thank you for the aid throughout the years. It came in handy and you could really afford it. Now that we are self-sufficient, we should discuss what we can sell you in terms of security and mutual interests. That will probably cost the US more that what it was giving before but the point is to negotiate what its worth to have landing rights, Israeli technology, etc. And if the US doesnt want to buy it from us, we will sell it to others, but recognize that the USA had first rights to it. And in lieu of the years of aid, we will always come to the help of the US as it gets weaker until it removes Obama and stops appeasing its enemies.
"Israel does not need American financial aid. We can do just fine without it" -- So speaks the big-mouth in full awareness that his bragging won't come to the test ...
You mean couscous? We grow it better here.
Yeah, We The People see how Israel comes to our aid . . . Just ask the crew of the USS Liberty . . Or
Does anyone ever in the US gov ask srael: what have you ever done for us?
"America’s ties to Israel are NOT based primarily on U.S. strategic interests. At the best of times, an Israeli government that pursues the path to peace provides some intelligence, some minor advances in military technology, and a potential source of stabilizing military power that could help Arab states like Jordan. Even then, however, any actual Israeli military intervention in an Arab state could prove as destabilizing as beneficial.. Israel should show enough discretion to reflect the fact that it is a TERTIARY U.S. strategic interest in a complex and demanding world.. Israel’s government should act on the understanding that the long-term nature of the U.S.-Israel strategic relationship will depend on Israel clearly and actively seeking peace with the Palestinians—the kind of peace that is in Israel’s own strategic interests. Israelis should understand that the United States opposes expansion and retention of its settlements and its efforts to push Palestinians out of greater Jerusalem.." - Anthony Cordesman (2 June 2010) csis.org/publication/israel-strategic-liability
Netanyahu: Iran can happen in Egypt, so let us not worry about peace with the Palestinians..
While what happened in Iran might happen in Egypt, Israel should try to pre-empt such a blow, but that is not what Netanyahu has in mind. President Carter criticized the Shah's human rights record, so the regime was reluctant to use force against the demonstrators, until the Shah fell. We have a repeat performance by Obama and Hillary, so it is possible the regime Nasser built will also fall, and it is possible that the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood will take over. Can Israel do something to improve the future? Yes, of course. Proceed to have a peace agreement with the Palestinians! With the Palestinian problem gone, Egypt has no serious problem with Israel, nor will Iran be too excited about Israel. And given that there is no more Soviet Union that can provide advance weaponry to Egypt, a war with Israel is not likely. So do something useful Mr. Nutty Yahoo, instead of the usual empty talk.
While what happened in Iran might happen in Egypt, Israel should try to pre-empt such a blow, but that is not what Netanyahu has in mind. President Carter criticized the Shah's human rights record, so the regime was reluctant to use force against the demonstrators, until the Shah fell. We have a repeat performance by Obama and Hillary, so it is possible the regime Nasser built will also fall, and it is possible that the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood will take over. Can Israel do something to improve the future? Yes, of course. Proceed to have a peace agreement with the Palestinians! With the Palestinian problem gone, Egypt has no serious problem with Israel, nor will Iran be too excited about Israel. And given that there is no more Soviet Union that can provide advance weaponry to Egypt, a war with Israel is not likely. So do something useful Mr. Nutty Yahoo, instead of the usual empty talk.
i'LL TAKE THE OCCUPATION AND THE ILLEGAL SETTLEMENTS
Israel must make a clear commitment to democracy through separating State from religion.
Makes sense, I guess. If you've been in Israel since '45 you can't have much time left - so why bother about the future? And it's too late for you to worry about morals and human rights, anyway.
Not too sure why a 60-year old state has to be funded by American taxpayers.
yes, why?
America wiped out entire Native Indian Population and build the Country on illegally occupied land of Natives while Zionists Israel doing same with Palestinians and illegally created country on occupied land of Palestine with the help of their illegitimate dad US.
TS: Do a google search as I did: "Racism in Denmark," then let's talk about what is and is not legal or legit. We are far from perfect, which is pretty normal for any successful country it seems. We are no better, but as many on this forum seem to believe, we are no worse.
Handoouts to Israel should have been halted years ago - it's time Israel tap her natural gas discoveries and pay the US back And yes speaking on behalf of America we will take 'free natural gas' in exchange
People are just over it Israel People around the world are just over it. I used to be very pro-Israel, but after the Palestine Papers and after seeing the perfect agreement which Israel rejected, I along with lots of people around the world are OVER IT. The only reason why Israel wants Mubarak to stay is because it is in its own interests. Perhaps if he GOES it will fire a rocket up the butt of Israel to achieve a peace agreement.
You reasd the palestine papers from Al Jezeera and you beileve everything you read. Even Abbas says they are false. So you believe what palis are saying are false documents. Smart.. real smart. Now have you read the peace agreement various ISraeli presidents have put forwards that Abbas has rejecyed and arafat... maybe they arew true.. Suspend belief..nothing is as it seems in the middle east
Show me a country on this planet that doesn't view its own interests first. And BTW the Palestinian papers are questionable - they jumped on the Wikileaks bandwagon.
The U.S. officials stressed their country’s “unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security, including through our continued support for Israel’s military, and the unprecedented security cooperation between our two governments,” the White House said in its statement.?
...with no representation. Support for Israel is a subject for pronouncements, never public debate. Our representatives are covertly bought and owned. Look how Rand Paul shut up... Our aid to Israel should be based on need and merit, not tradition and lobby-muscle. What say you Israel, how great is your need compared to Congo or Guatemala? Where is the merit in beating up Lebanon and Gaza with infinitely greater firepower?
Poor Israel, its poodles in the ME - Mubarak, Hariri etc are falling like dominoes. Iran's influence is on the rise, Turkey is the new main player and its source of dollars and military hardware - the US is a fading force on the world stage. Maybe Israel will have to question its brutal occupation and expansionism.
Not long ago President Obama told Sarkozy that France was America's best ally. Naturally the Brits were outraged as they should have been. But where does Israel stand in this ally ranking order? I don't think Israel can even be considered an ally. There are no treaties or mutual defense pacts. America's protection of Israel is all verbal and terms vary by administration. Taiwan and South Korea have guarantees. If Israel has such guarantees they should be publicized so as to ease the nervousness of all the firsters on the Hill.
Can't Israel face anything without running and crying to America? What did all those tens of billions buy us? How can Israel expect to be taken seiously? Talk abour "delegitimizing".
The US is a dog on a leash held by israel. When Israel says bark, it barks. When Israel says, sit it sits. When Israel says roll over, it rolls over.
The time has come for the U.S. to cut its losses and rid itself of any vestiges of support to the doomed dictators. Coming to grips with the new reality in the ME must be an essential component of its foreign policy in that region of the world. As for Israel it can fend for itself. Its policies of brutal occupation, illegal settlements and their expansion, and the ethnic cleansing of occupied East Jerusalem has done very little to endear itself to those Arab states that soon will be shucking their autocrats. What price is to be paid remains to be seen but Israelis of all stripes should be very worried indeed.
America has trillions of dollars in debt and it is giving billions MORE dollars to Israel in addition to the $3 billion per year, so they can build a bunker against an imaginary enemy? No wonder why the US is going bankrupt, man! Israel isn’t a poorhouse, let them pay for their own crap.
As Valentines Day approaches Oren longs for words of love from our country to his. An official Valentine Card with an affirmation of our unwavering love would be a beautiful thing.
Well it would appear the government doesn't feel the way you do. At the first sign of a threat to the billions from the US, they ask for recommitment!
Israel's position: Give us your money and support but mind your own business.
Why US borrow money from China to support the war against the Palestinians. Israel should pay for all of the costs of occupation. Egypt gets a similar amount and that military expenditure should be axed also. Occupation should be done in Shekels not Dolars
Yes. When he concentrates on important and strategic issues. But he fails at home, because he is not a social genius. And he is the product of the corrupt mess that we are witnessing among the top brass in the Kirya.
Time has come for Israel to grow up and become independent. American cannot keep funding a foreign country.
As long as we are throwing around "don't you dare"s. don't you dare forget that as an American your first interest is what is good for the US, not what is good for Israel.
Posing as an Israeli?? America funds what and who they want for their own reasons. If for one second they saw Israel as a liability they would cut them loose. In a world besieged by Islamic fundamentalism, Europeans afraid to walk the streets for fear of attacks by Muslim exteremists, America knows what she is doing. Why fund Egypt? Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia?
As an American citizen, your duty is to defend the interests of your country and of your felloz countrymen, not those of Israel's.
The US almost got down on it's knees to persuade Israel to stop settlement construction for an other 3 months, the response was a clear NO and therefore making a complete fool out of the US. Now all of a sudden, Israel is scared stiff of losing US aid, well guys when you treat a friend and ally with such arrogance, don't be surprised when they turn their back on you....Israel is not the center of the universe.
how would you know where the centre of the universe is? when was the last time you took g-d seriously, not to mention the countless navi'im? you want to wake up to yourself mr. immortal D.
Why US borrow money from China to support the war against the Palestinians. Israel should pay for all of the costs of occupation. Egypt gets a similar amount and that military expenditure should be axed also. Occupation should be done in Shekels not Dolars.