Netanyahu Agrees to Push for Freeze in Settlements

N Y Times ^ | 11/13/2010 | MARK LANDLER

[HearMe]

WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has agreed to push his cabinet to freeze most construction on settlements in the West Bank for 90 days to break an impasse in peace negotiations with the Palestinians, an official briefed on talks between the United States and Israel said Saturday evening.

In return, the Obama administration has offered Israel a package of security incentives and fighter jets worth $3 billion that would be contingent on the signing of a peace agreement, the official said. The United States would also block any moves in the United Nations Security Council that would try to shape a final peace agreement.

[HearMe]

that would be contingent on the signing of a peace agreement,

That is one hell of a deal. Contingent on a peace treaty. So Israel should expect these jets on or about the 12th of Never.

Meanwhile, Obama also promises to protect Israel from the tyrants in the UN: what any friend should do irregardless of anything.

[kabar]

In return, the Obama administration has offered Israel a package of security incentives and fighter jets worth $3 billion that would be contingent on the signing of a peace agreement, the official said.

Bribe?

[HearMe]

Vice Premier: Extending the settlement freeze is a honey trap

Vice Premier Moshe Ya’alon on Sunday lashed out at a new American proposal for a new three-month freeze on settlement construction on the West Bank, during a stormy meeting of ministers from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party.

“Extending the freeze is a honey trap,” Ya’alon said, which “will lead us down a slippery slope and into another crisis with the American administration after three months, or perhaps even sooner.”

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/vice-premier-extending-the-settlement-freeze-is-a-honey-trap-1.324604

[Sacajaweau]

He's trying to get something for his resume. Ain't gonna happen.

Member of Wright's church is the reality of the man. He is neither unbiased or a good american. As our President, I believe he is unfit.

[Mr. Mojo]

The partial freeze would not include East Jerusalem

The E. Jerusalem freeze is what the Obama admin. was asking for.

[SunkenCiv]

the Obama administration has offered Israel a package of security incentives and fighter jets worth $3 billion that would be contingent on the signing of a peace agreement

Meanwhile, the koranimal terrorists get another $150 million to build bombs, and reject the current offer to Israel because it doesn't apply to "east Jerusalem". Thanks HearMe.

[HearMe]

See #3

This is so obviously a trap for Israel, that the audacity of the offer evidences the contempt Obama has for Israel.

Still I fear Israel- for reasons of intense pressure and Netanyahu’s hubris -may well fall into this abyss.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Feiglin for PM.

Israel should declare a Jewish Theocracy, kick out all hostile non-Jewish populations, and stop playing by the rules of the post-eighteenth century secular enlightenment world.

[mojito]

This “deal” also contains a threat. The Obama administration “promises” to block anti-Israeli resolutions in the UN.

Now, it was my understanding that the long-standing policy of the US is to block such resolutions, but here they appear to be contingent on Israeli acceptance of the freeze.

So, in other words, what we have here is a fundamental change is US foreign policy; namely, that unless the Israelis surrender to this blackmail on the part of Obama, the US will no longer automatically block resolutions that undermine Israeli security in the Security Council.

This is utterly despicable and a betrayal of the first magnitude.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Israel must know by now they can’t depend on us. This freeze on construction is complete bs. Why can’t they begin “construction” on Israeli-made planes? Heck, if Dinnerjacket’s country can build nuclear facilities, I’m sure Israel can build fighter jets.
Got nothing to lose but more territory and credibility.

[HearMe]

The IAI Lavi was a combat aircraft developed in Israel in the 1980s. It was a multi-billion dollar fighter aircraft project that was disbanded when the Israeli government concluded it could not finance production on its own,..........and received political pressure from the US government to cancel a fighter that would compete with American exports.

[EternalVigilance]

If done in a good cause I suppose this could be construed as being a “carrot and stick” approach.

As it is, it’s no more than bribery and coercion.

In a very wicked cause.

[HearMe]

Contrary to the belief of many Israel haters, the US’s most potent weapon to pressure Israel has almost nothing to do with the military aid Israel receives (that must be spent in the US)but with the damage the World would do politically and economically to Israel if the US didn’t exert influence and vetoes to block such moves.

[Mr. Mojo]

Correct -- the Obama admin. is engaging in blatant blackmail. I'd like to see Bibi tell Hussein where he can shove his "proposal" and then see if the latter actually follows through with his threat to not veto anti-Israel UN resolutions. If Obama does follow through, the Dems will lose a lot of big donors.

[mojito]

I believe that what the Obama administration is signaling is that they will support a UN resolution creating a Palestinian state unless Netanyahu is willing to impose the freeze. If these fraudulent “peace talks” collapse, Obama will blame Israel, and will hence feel justified in backing a Palestinian state created by fiat in the UN rather than through negotiations.

If Obama does try to pursue this policy, as I believe he will, there will be a brutal political price to pay. However, the president has already amply shown that he is willing to pursue radical policies despite their cost, if they further his agenda.

[mojito]

Agreed. See my comments at No. 15.

[HearMe]

I agree.

There is much debate post election on whether Obama can do a Clinton and move to the Center.

I think he may find some domestic issues where he will pretend to do such accommodation- maybe with tax issues and the like.

But I think the real test of his ideology will be seen vis a vis Israel. You’re right. He will suffer a political cost and when he does it anyway it will again evidence- maybe to even the most slow learners- his anti Israel compulsions.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Long time ago. They might want to reconsider what they can “afford.”

[bereanway]

Bribe is exactly right. This guy after getting slapped around at home and abroad is now so desperate to appear successful he’ll try to buy something to crow about. It’s all about him all the time, to h%!! with the consequences.

[bereanway]

I think 0 is between a rock and a hard place here. He’s been wounded both at home and abroad and cannot afford to lose even a tiny part of another constituency. No doubt the Israelis are well aware of this and for the first time in 0’s administration the Israelis are dealing from a relatively strong hand. If they give in here all they do is strengthen the position of a guys who is their mortal enemy.

I would think they could limp by with their current arsenal of F-15’s and 16’s until the political climate here changes. Bibi made it clear in July they wanted the new stealth F-15SE instead of the F-35 (which we want them to buy) neither of which is even being exported yet.