Petraeus to Ashkenazi: I never said Israel policy endangers U.S.

Haaretz ^ | 3-25-10 | Natasha Mozgavaya

[SJackson]

Commander of the U.S. Military's Central Command Gen. David Petraeus phoned his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi, this week to deny reports that he had blamed Israeli policy for the failure in a regional solution and for endangering U.S. interests.

Earlier this month, Petraeus warned the Pentagon that "America's relationship with Israel is important, but not as important as the lives of America's soldiers," in a posting on the Foreign Policy Web site.

In a 56-page report, the Central Command had written: "The enduring hostilities between Israel and some of its neighbors present distinct challenges to our ability to advance our interests," the CENTCOM report read. Advertisement

Petraeus told reporters on Thursday that the report ? which he claimed had been taken out of context - had been drafted because: "We noted in there that there was a perception at times that America sides with Israel and so forth. And I mean, that is a perception. It is there. I don't think that's disputable."

"But I think people inferred from what that said and then repeated it a couple of times and bloggers picked it up and spun it," he added. "And I think that has been unhelpful, frankly."

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

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No, that was Joe the Biden, though he denies it now, and the media.

[Shermy]

Is Joe Wilson back in the government? Sounds like it. And around Biden too.

[penelopesire]

“Responding to questions regarding that report, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates warned that the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict gave enemies of the two allies the opportunity to “exploit” the lack of a political settlement.”

The two ALLIES? So now we are ‘allies’ with the Palestinian terrorists? Gates is such a weasal suck-up....no wonder Obama kept him.

[dennisw]

That’s good, Petreus is better on Israel than a lot of freepers

[penelopesire]

More outrage from the article:

“The letter from Congress expresses its “deep concern” over the U.S.-Israel crisis, and emphasizes that lawmakers had received assurances from Netanyahu that the events leading up to the recent tensions would not be repeated”

This is nothing but another slap in the face to Israel. They are acting as if it was all Netanyahu’s fault when it was Zero and his administration. They are demeaning Netanyahu yet again with this comment and spinning it like he needs to ‘grovel’ to them. It’s sickening.

Bet you a steak dinner it was a democrat that gave the post this last quote.

Pathetic!

[Tzfat]

But I think people inferred from what that said and then repeated it a couple of times

No, you jerk (I won't recognize that you are a General) - you clearly articulated your Adminstration's position on Israel. We understood exactly what you meant, and you are full of garbage.

There IS a Middle East country that contributes to our losses in Iraq and Afganistan. There is a Middle East country that is a constant incitement to terror and unstability. It isn't Israel. It is IRAN. This islamophilic Administration (including Petraeus) coddles terrorist, and terror nations - and then blames Israel.

[dennisw]

Of course 0bama is toying with Netanyahu and screwing Israel..... Since Obama got in there has been a weapons cutoff. This is how this fiend curries favor with the Muslims

[dr_who]

Well, at least they’re on speaking terms, unlike POTUS and PM.

[penelopesire]

I read that report on the arms the other day. I am just heartsick watching the whole sorry episode unfold.

[SJackson]

I have to disagree with you. There was a slide in a powerpoint presentation advocating the inclusion of the West Bank and Gaza in Centcom rather than EUcom, and his answer to a question testifying before Congress, neither of which are out of line for a military leader, who shouldn’t be involved in politics. And it’s a fact, Arabs don’t like the fact that the US has supported Israel in the past. Among the many things Arabs/Muslims don’t like about us. It was distorted by Biden, and the media. If he crossed the political line, it’s in this apparently public acknowledgement that his words were distorted by politicians. Better to let him fight the war.

[onyx]

Right, it was Biden.

And BTW, there had better be more than a “perception that America sides with Israel,” it better be true, and that’s why the stupid peace talks are useless with Mitchell, Clinton and Obama insisting on a building freeze in Israel’s capital city.

Everyone with a brain knows that only one side has ever wanted peace.