Israel wary of U.S.-Arab arms deals

Israel got by just fine while you and the Soviets both armed the Arabs. When France would not deliver the ships Israel Paid for, Israel took the French Ships by Force and those Tanks you gave to Jordan are sitting in Israeli Museums as Trophies. No, Israel can withstand all Billion and a Half Moslems, no matter how you serve them and will continue to do so, even as your banks, your homes and your children, are bought and paid for by the Saudis.

Maybe if Israel stopped squatting on land thats not theirs and treating the Palestinians the way they do there might be a little more sympathy for their plight. But the fact is Israel is a client state that would not even exist without the US paying the bill for their arms and settlements, I mean you can only export so much fruit. Understandably Israel is worried about Iran getting the bomb since they want to rule the roost alone. However all the problems Israel currently has it has brought upon itself. Give back the West Bank and the Golan Heights then complain.

by arming all sides to the teeth - the government of the United States seeks peace agreements. great plan.

While America is protected by Israeli Anti-Missile Systems, Israeli Armor, Israeli Medicine and Israeli Encryption, we no longer have Any Objection, to you Selling Yourselves into Slavery. The Saudis, Kuwaitis, Syrians and Abu Dhabians bought your Banks, Military and Your President and soon they will Buy your Lives.

to China and other states. Israeli weapons are mostly remade foreign weapon technologies. They are cheaper because hardly any research and Development capital was spent. Most R & D is brought in via Industrial Spying or via Jewish Immigrant Scientists who studied abroad.

this is the reason why U.S., Europe, Russia, and China sell weapons to the Arabs.

Yes, the people who have eight kids and then move six of them in to your country, where they will vote to Destroy You, do not receive the kinds of loans Israel receives, because Israel has perfect credit and a business relationship with America, providing considerable technology in return for loan guarantees and those many, many other people, mostly just kill you and take your stuff.

The only quality things that the US manufactures are weapons and weapon systems. These are high paying jobs. Most of the factories have moved to China. The US is simply buying their own weapons and giving them away as 'aid.' It is business plain and simple. The US couldn't care less how much their aircraft carrier/spoiled child pouts.

What are you crying about now? Did we say you could use our weapons to obliterate your former "territory" Gaza? Did we say you could use our weapons to collectively punish Lebanon which, incidentally, has never attacked Israel? Do you know how much it's cost us to pay for your indiscriminate bombing (with our weapons) of Gazan civilian infrastructure? $900 million and counting. And finally. The extent of anti-american sentiments of these talkbacks is eye-opening. There is an old saying "With friends like these who needs enemies?"

it is all about stability.Israel is stable and the arms sold to it will NEVER BE USED AGAINST AMERICAN.Which is more then i can say about the arab states that can be sweptby the muslem extremists any day,Mubarak will not live forever and so is the jordanian king ,and the same with the ruling family in saudi arabia.so when america sells arms to those country make sure you can defend american troops from the same weapons you sell to arab countries

Yes Us sells arms to neighbouring Arab countries and will continue for whatever reason, but what about those that fall in the hands of Arab and non Arab states and militias in the region?? does not that void all these concerns and urges a rethink of the whole issue?

...the lies never stop with you people. "We also have the added threat to Israel called Obama who is in love with everything arab and muslim and hates Israel." There is simply no truth to your statement, like many of them I'm afraid... President Obama is simply ensuring that there are sufficient arms for these states to protect themselves against Israeli aggression. Iran has nothing to do with it, and neither does "hatred of Israel". The fact is, Israel is the ONLY country in the region constantly making threats (and making good on) against other sovereign nations.

I have never heard anything as stupid as America has to sell arms to terrorist producing Arab countries.

Act like a Gazan in America and see how long you live. Terry Nichols ring a bell? These are not innocent people and Israel is far more gentle with them than any other country in the world would be. Work with us, enjoying our technology and selling us what we pay for on perfect credit, or betray us the way you do India and Eastern Europe and follow Rome and Imperial Spain into a New Dark Age.

Actually, most of this stuff will be used against Americans. Look at where the Chechens get the weapons they use against Russians. The Terrorists are laughing their heads off.

America appreciated our technology and we appreciated the loans, on perfect credit, to utilize America's manufacturing base. Of course, that was when America had a manufacturing base. Now you can either work with us and maybe save yourselves, or you can continue selling your children into Slavery by betraying us to our mutual enemies. Abu Dhabi and the Saudis own your mortgages, your banks, are buying out your last few Military Industries like Bell Helicopters and soon they will own your lives.

"Nothing Israel Can`t Beat, but These Weapons Will Kill Americans" When it comes to money, we don't decriminate on the basis of nationality! All persons are expendable, including Americans! You don't believe me??? Take a look at Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, .... and Next! The Arabian Peninsula! It is good for the economy! When is D-Day in Yemen?

Israel was happy to provide America with Missile, Radar, Armor, Computer, Communications and Medical Technology. If Israel feels the need to sell this technology to China, then China will be more advanced than America. Not an ideal situation for either of us I am sure. So how does this sound, you sell your weapons to terrorists who will use them to kill your children and we will sell our technology to countries that will replace you as superpower after you are dead? Not good? Very well then, stop betraying Israel, India, Africa and Eastern Europe and you might have a future. Continue down the path you have chosen and you will no longer be a free people, let alone a "Superpower". We are the stone upon which the world will pivot.

The law is one of affirmative disapproval. If they don't take action to actively disapprove within a limited time frame, they are SOL. The sales go forward. For example, if the Senate is tied up over and bemoaning death panels and vampires voting as it was the night before Christmas eve and the time limit expires, sales go forward. That actually happened this past Christmas. It is in the Congressional record. Politicians are not always rational. They rarely are, in fact.

"Only the US has the decision to sell arms????" Of course! Anything else upsets our monopoly! How dare Israel, or anyone else, threaten our Imperium?

And Israel has been a checker player from the start. Strictly tactics, no strategy.

"Israel reneges on the conditions made when we sell it arms; why shouldn`t other countries?" Conditions on arms sales are just so the seller won't be cited as an accessory to the crime which the buyer already intends to commit anyway or he wouldn't be buyng the arms to begin with. Surely you don't buy that nonsense, do you? No one else does. I can see the headlines now: ICC prosecutor cites USA as accessory in Cast Lead! Goldstone Report takes second place. Obama stops smiling, Abbas frowns, Barak looks ashen, Kadima MK's desert to Netanyahu, who adopts clever smile to suit the occasion. Livni despondent. LOOL!

During the Cold War, especially when Reagan was President, we had few long term thinkers in Government. We even talked Israel into shipping arms to the Mujaheddin. The Stinger missile brought down lots of Soviet stuff. We armed and equipped bin Laden and Saddam Hussein so he could launch the Iraq-Iran war. Later we knew Saddam had WMD, we still had the receipts.

No justification for the sales is needed under the US system. We are not Europe. In the US, what is not specifically prohibited is permitted to individuals and to corporate persons. US law doesn't require justification. It requires companies to notify the government. The government then has a limited time to object if it is so inclined and the objections meet certain parameters. For example, there is no way to object to sales to off-world species at present. They can buy all the tanks and fighter aircraft they want, just as if they were France, Germany or the UK.

really, then why are you killing each other with such abandon. by the way, it is understood by modern science that race is just a social construct. to the extent that the term race is still used at all, there are only three races: the black, the yellow and the white. to be precise, most scientists accept that all modern humans are descendents of a small african migration.

Israel is the highest recipient of American Aid per capita than any country in the world. Israel recieves more aid than the poorest countries on Earth.

Have you added the total foreign aid provided by the USA to Arab states? You should no better given your previous claims of where you work.

"Those in the Israeli arsenal are paid for courtsey of the American tax payer." you forgot to add Egypt and Jordan at the least..

"Arms are shiped to the Arabs to be destroyed by Israel.Then the replacements.It is good business only" sssssh! You are not supposed to say that! It is classified Top Secret! Say something patriotic instead!

Arabs are a race of people. Israel is a nation. You need to stop mixing your terms in order to make sense

"what is scary to note..." anyone who followed the primaries right here on haaretz and paid close attention to who was supporting him should have understood what was happening. what i find really scary is the people arround him: yes men of absolutely no calliber.

It appears to me that the only beneficiary to all these transactions is the US economy. This transaction will only promote all the negatives for the entire Middle East. I only wish that the same brains that are promoting and enhancing destruction will switch gears and direction and resolve the human and economic disasters in this world.There are many wise Solomons in this world that are not utilizing there wisdom, that are fueled with greed and crime against humanity.

"When they [Israel} wanted to sell the Chinese some unmanned drones, the US had a fit about that" - Joe. Natuarally the US had a fit about that! The ingrates in Israel had the sheer gall to interfere with the money flow. Hitting us in our our pocketbook is the most despicable form of warfare! We of the military-industrial complex work hard to provoke war so as to sell our products. JCS gives the orders, politicians obey! Israelis should keep to their own turf! Competition screws our monopoly!

spent in the USA. The final destination of aid to Fatah is an open joke, on the US taxpayer. Proud?

Israel has good reason to not be happy about these deals. The US promised that Israels naighbors would not be sold anything that will erode Israels strategic edge in the region. Javelins & harpoon missiles, smart bombs and all these other toys could do serious harm to Israel if war broke out especially a coalition and treaties don't guarantee an end to war they can be broken even easier than they can be made. Israel agreed to the idea of the US selling the saudis F15s as long as they were based where they were not within reach of Israel. They got the planes but forgot about that little term about them not being based within striking range of Israel. We also have the added threat to Israel called Obama who is in love with everything arab and muslim and hates Israel. Israel made a request to buy Apaches Obama ruled it out Egypt requested to buy Apaches & Obama was all in favour of the idea. The Obama administration is just as much a threat to Israel than the arabs or persians

for her views on Israel and the Medieval nature of the Kingdom with which Israel has no treaty hasn't bothered youy somehow.. btw ,your pal hubby would be expelled by the Saudis ,just like Kuwaitis have done so their stance on Israel doesn't help you somehow..

"Israel is perhaps the only true ally of the US who receives arms and uses them for actual defense and not to oppress people and terrorism...." I can think of over a million people in Gaza and the West Bank who might disagree with that.

Politicians preach peace, raise taxes, pay industry; Industry produces weapons; Politicians give weapons to friendly foreiginers, sell to anyone else; Foreigners make war on each other; US armed forces intervene (rah, rah, rah); More war; Joint Chiefs thrive; Till the economy crashes Let's you and him fight! We supply the cannon; you supply the fodder! FDR's arsenal of democracy never had it so good! That's all, folks.

The US could use the extra 5.6 Billion a year it will be saving when it isn't delivered to SIBAT on October 1st.

1000 times stronger and arab arms superiority doesn't matter

Israel wants to keep its status as the bully in the region. Shame on Israel!

American arms can't be sold without US Congres consent (even private companies, b.t.w. they are usually public companies traded on Wall Street).Governement gets takses.....the more sold the more takses. So,as I said before, it's the economy.

Israel was reselling helicopters given to her by the US and reselling them to Columbian drug cartels against our treaty agreements. She has no right to say anything about who we sell arms to. Israel sold weapons to the imbecilic Georgians and nearly started a war. Who arms the Kurds? I wonder.

America needs to keep its aircraft industry afloat. Thankfully, the Arabs are willing to buy, using their own money.

THIS IS INSANE !! Most of this stuff will be used against Israel !!

Along with Israel taking notes, I hope the Jewish stary eyed Obama supporters are taking note. Israel will have if they do not already the necessary counter measures.

When arms are sold from USA to Syria, Lebannon etc... then you should panic. But there is good in this why? 1. most likely some clauses stating that these weapons can't be traded or resold else where, perhaps haaretz can clarify as it briefly notes this. 2. Arabs are going to want 21st century weapons, it does make sense,Egypt SA, UAE Jordan, these are countries they have armies and national threats. By buyin USA they are not buying Iranian and not forging those alliances. 3. Jordan and Egypt have peace, The Saudis can get nearly whatever they like due to Saudi USA oil alliance Israel still has stronger weapons and deterrence abilities. What is scary to note, for persons like myselves, is that Obama hasn't sold Israel a thing since taking Office. That is scary, that could be a betrayel of friendship, had Obama stated that he would not sell Israel weapons I do'nt think he'd have taken the vote, atleast by such a land slide, so that is nerve racker, personally at least

Anyone with half a brain knew that the primary incentive offered by the US for Arab states to make peace with Israel was that they'd have a chance to acquire state-of-the-art weaponry to upgrade their armed forces. (Did Peres really think Mubarak has cooperated with Israel because of warm personal affection for him?) After decades of promises, it's time to pay the piper. Israelis should have known this day was coming, and while Obama will no doubt be blamed, it is a policy that has been crafted and followed by all US presidents since the 1970s: Carter, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton and Bush II--reward peace gestures toward Israel with weapons of war. Duh!

It is well known that the entire IAF is a gift from America. It has been years since the Israel has allowed the American taxpayer to pay for more F-16's for Israel. We don't know what Israel is doing with their annual gift money, but somebody must keep the American aircraft industry afloat. Thankfully, the Arabs are willing to buy, using their own money.

despite Israeli lobbying,protests etc. The Israeli lobby is effective when it suits the USA. Nobody told Carter and Walt & Meerschaum

Cha-ching - and what the hell do they care, its too far away for US to worry.

Taking this to the side, Americans should be concerned with the unlimited aid given to Israel while normal Americans are losing their homes and jobs!

Of course if it ever uses its arsenal the Jewish homeland will quickly become no more! Deterrant my foot!

we dont mind when Israel selling arms to China and others why should they mind of our business. when we sell to others. I do not beliueve it is right to give away 3 Billions$ of arms and used them DISPROPORTIONALLY in Gaza War.

What a wrong move by the Obama administration! What is the purpose of arming Egypt? The only purpose is to enable Egypt to attack Israel. The right move should be to stop selling arms to the Islamist-Jihadist world. Arming them will only continue to fuel their belligerence and aggressions in the region and around the world. Congress should reject this Obama crap.

First of all, Israel depends on America. America doesn't depend on Israel. That's why they're telling you who you can't sell your weapons to. That's why they can sell them to whoever they want. And you wonder why people are holding back. We're not holding back. If US gives you billions of $ of weapons it's only ethical and normal to do the same to the neighbors you're at peace with. Obama is finally doing something smart. And why so much hatred? Shalom, Salam.

the tendency of the u.s. to sell arms, especially advanced arms, to so many countries whose citizens are far from amirers of the u.s. might backfire. the mujahadeen have shown their gratitude by blowing up americans. the saudis are known to have supported directly and indirectly terror. it strikes me as quite bizarre that a country on the special fly list just published should be so trusted. however, there might be a logic to what to me seems like alice in wonderland. stephen says so and he should know. personally, i have my reservations.

.Israel won"t relax until all its neighbours are armed only with bows and arrows.

You achieved peace with the unelected dictator Sadat in Egypt (today unelected dictator Mubarak). Protests are not allowed anywhere in Egypt. The secret police can arrest and detain without warrant because he is governing in state of emergency. In Jordan you achieved peace with the Monarch. Both of them don't reflect the will of their people, nor are they liked by their people. Democracy movements are rising in Egypt. Funny that the "democracy" of Israel only managed to achieve peace with a dictator and a monarch.

Pick one of two possible answers. Israel. Or Israel.

The US and the UK has been supplying all of the above-mentioned countries with modern arms since decades ago. Its not a question of parity with Israel. Its more of a question that said countries can defend themselves against Iran. You still haven't seen the big picture. Israel is a highly sophisticated mean military machine with the fourth most powerful military in the world. Good day.

Contrary to the propaganda of the Republican Party, US arms manufacturing and sales are privately done by private firms. A few corrupt Congressional Reps might get something. But the government makes bumpkis on any deal. There is no danger to Israel as long as Israel doesn't attack one of the countries doing the buying. The US is selling a full inventory to Iraq, too. We destroyed everything they had and now they are buying what they need.

America will spend a lot to prevent Arabs that hate America, from killing each other. America already exported its industry, soon it will have exported its money too and will no longer be able to bribe anyone. Then the world will learn, that when an Empire Implodes, you don't get another Empire. What you get is a Dark Age.

Israel designed your radar, your armor, your anti-missile systems, you communications and computer systems and taught your soldiers how to fight. Israel had a design for a next generation fighter before it got tangled up in your aircraft industries. Israel can manage without your cheap assault rifles that jam up all the time and cluster bombs that don't explode. Sell your toys to the terrorists who will use them to kill your children. You didn't need a future and the future certainly doesn't need you.

The US gov doesn't make the sale. Arms sales have to be approved. That is all. The stockholders of the arms makers profit. Sometimes, they pay taxes if they haven't bought an exemption from some enterprising Congress-critter.

against Al Qaeda in Yemen. Israel is not. Jordan and Egypt have comprehensive peace treaties with Israel. The United Arab Emirates is a country with a base containing $1billion worth of US assets and the capability to station Stealth Aircraft. It make sense to provide the UAE with the means to defend US assets in that country. Don't like it? Tough, the needs of the West outweighs the needs of Israel.

Nothing America has can stop Israel from attacking anyone. If Israel is dead set on landing a weapon smack in the middle of America, America can not stop it. So, nothing America sells to anyone else, is going to stop Israel either. Only Israel can stop Israel and only if Israel considers it necessary. America is betraying itself, in a time when not even Japan can take America seriously anymore. They will sell off the last of their military and then retire as the World's Policeman and the World Will March On Without Them.

Think about this in your next election, you know, if they let you have a next election.

For the US is arming its enemies. None of the above mentioned countries are enemies of Israel. Safeguarding access to the Suez Canal is vital. For Israel uses said canal. Not only for commercial shipping. Also Israeli Naval vessels pass through. The best manner to keep Iran on its toes, is too supply all moderate Arab countries with the means to protect themselves and if needed they are able to counter attack any "surprises",thus leaving the US Forces with a buffer zone. Israel may be wary, yet Israel has agreed, since said sales were advised months ago. Good day from freezing Swiss Alps.

it will be interesting to hear the justification for all of these arms sales. who are the arabs planning to attack? why do they need the most advanced anti-tank missiles? who in the region has tanks besides israel? the idea that these sales will not affect the strategic balance in the region is not proven.

US needs money, so they will sell whatever WHAT to whatever WHO. The only winner is.....the US. They sell NOW, and in case of war they will sell AGAIN. Never mind who wins or loses, how many dead or who. It's as simple as that.

ok, so the USA just made a whole lot of money, are my taxes going to be lowered? I wonder where the money is going?

Yes, the US armed the Taliban, Saddam Hussein, Iran (Iran/contra and Shah), Contra death squads, Saudis, Egypt, Lebanon, PLO, Pakistan and many other evil regimes and terrorist groups. They continue the same policy and wonder why the world is politically unstable. How many people have died from arms sold by the US. Israel is perhaps the only true ally of the US who receives arms and uses them for actual defense and not to oppress people and terrorism.

it's still hard for israel to understand that its just one small element among the many u.s. concerns in a much bigger picture, and that it generally can't afford to concern itself too much over israel's selfcentered objections.

The reported arms and ordnance are inferior to what already is in the Israeli arsenal. The reported arms deals are paid for in "hard Arab cash". Those in the Israeli arsenal are paid for courtsey of the American tax payer. Israel has got the U.S.A. by the balls.

Israel should be concerned as it is only Israel who has attacked any of it's neighbours over the last many years. Israel likes wars like shooting fish in a barrel. They just hate the odds to be evened at all. Even so, Israel still finds it very difficult to win after they have had their enemies under seige for years. From afar, I await the next conflict to see who does what to whom. . . And teh subsequent results. . .

...for U. S. National Security. The smartest President ever.

These are peanuts deals. The US destroyed the entire armed forces of Iraq and is now in the process of re-equipping Iraq with the M1A1 Abrams tanks, the F-16I and Bradley fighting vehicles. Plus all the various stuff that goes with equipping a modern military. And Iraq is paying cash. That also includes IED resistant vehicles. If we quipped Lebanon that way, Hezbollah probably wouldn't be the power it is there. Weakening Egypt, Jordan and the Saudis will only guarantee chaos in those countries. What is being sold is no threat to Israel so long as Israel doesn't attack them. It is not 1938 nor is it 1948 or 1958 or 1968. The world has changed.

We Americans give you $3B/year, which you use to develop and buy weapons. We can therefore tell you who to sell and who not to sell to. Start giving us $3B/year and then we will take orders from you on weapon sales. Until then, you just stay quiet.

What a crock of bologna, only the US can sell arms to Israels enemies, while limiting who the Israelis can send their military exports too. People who criticize Israel, ask yourself, why are they holding back? Why are they helping america?

itsy bitsy deals while israel gets multi-billion dollar free arms all the time..and not just from the US...

These weapons are going to allies of US and Israel, if these countries can better defend themselves then less pressure on US and Israel to act.

The Obama pro-Arab tilt was always very obvious even though he said otherwise before his election. Nowadays, there are enough weapons to blow up the world ten times over. If any country thinks these weapons will save them, they should think twice as political and military situations are always changing. No country today is safe. Look at America. Each day the American President has to assure citizens he knows what to do and they will be safe. Everyone should know who their friends are.

It seems that all the concerns over Iran have produced a lot of fire power for the other sovereign nations in the area which could be detrimental to Israel. On the other hand, this could prevent Israel from taking matters in its own hands and attacking Iran just because it suspects it has or might have nuclear weapons. Good strategy; this should keep the peace for a while.

This is why Obama doesn't slam doors and talk wildly when he Israel refuses his demands. He knows he occupies the Kings Chair also known as the Presidency of the United States. Israel will be very isolated in the near future, while the surrounding Arab countries will have their capabilities dramatically increased.... He plays chess not checkers!

Israel reneges on the conditions made when we sell it arms; why shouldn't other countries?

Closest allies in Middle East

Arms are shiped to the Arabs to be destroyed by Israel.Then the replacements.It is good business only

Good for them, we have peace treaties with Jordan and Egypt. They are our closest allies. Israeili offiicials will only give the green light with what they are comfortable with.

we do get to question you weapons sales, you do not get to question ours...know why? cause we own you

Sure. Just the way Reagan restricted the Saudi basing when he sold them f-15s. The Saudis agreed to the terms and now the F-15s are based close to Eilat.

...the Obama administration may turn out to be the smartest administration in a long time.

Sophiscated anti-tank missiles needed to "deter Iran and to counter Al-Qaida in Yemen and in Saudi Arabia." who are they kidding? iran will send tanks all the way from Iran? terrorists will use tanks to attack Saudi? Easier to just say we need the money and they are far from the US. with all these unstable dictatorships, let hope their weapons do not fall into wrong hands....There are still a lot of US personnel in the middle east. By the way, Israel has a right to be concerned and exppress it. Afterall, when they wanted to sell the Chinese some unmanned drones, the US had a fit about that.

funny thing about that. Israel is never concerned when it receives lethal weapons from the U.S. Then, it's all OK. But when the U.S. sells weapons to other countries, as it has the right to do, Israelis go bananas.

Looks like the US is flooding the ME with all kinds of advanced weapons. Israel (the neighborhood bully) cannot be too happy about that...But weapons or not, Israels demise is innevitable.