‘Slap In Face’ For US From Israel’s New Government

[Purveyor]

Vita Bekker, Foreign Correspondent

TEL AVIV // In its first week in office, the new right-wing government led by Benjamin Netanyahu is already making waves.

In comments that angered Palestinians and may prompt friction with the Obama administration, Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s hawkish new foreign minister, renounced negotiations on a Palestinian state that were started by the previous government at the US-backed Annapolis conference in 2007. He also rejected making concessions for peace, including giving up the strategic Golan Heights territory to Syria.

“It was a slap in the face to the Americans,” said Tamir Shaefar, a professor of political science at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, referring to the Annapolis comment. “The Americans worked very hard to bring Israelis and Palestinians together at Annapolis. In terms of Israeli public diplomacy, his statement was a big mistake. After the Gaza attacks, it further portrays Israel as an extremist country that is unwilling to compromise.”

Analysts said the comments by Mr Lieberman may have been aimed at setting the tone for the new government. They signalled a shift to a more hardline strategy in peace talks with the Palestinians and with Syria, as well as in Israel’s approach towards Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which Mr Netanyahu, as he reiterated this week, views as the biggest threat to the country’s existence.

Mr Lieberman’s statements, made on his first day at the foreign ministry on Wednesday, were seen by Israeli commentators yesterday as reflecting the position of Mr Netanyahu. The right-wing Likud leader this week became prime minister for the second time after cobbling together a governing coalition made up of mostly ultranationalist and ultrareligious parties.

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THE NATIONAL: http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090403/FOREIGN/927900691/1135

[Hawkowl]

1. No more military aid for Israel

It makes no sense to keep giving Israel billions of dollars worth of weapons. The US rational used to be to fund Israel as a counter to the Soviets funding Syria and the other Arab states. Then we used to say we needed to fund them as a counter to Iran and Hezbollah and other mideast terror organizations.

Hello!?! We have several hundred thousand troops and carrier battle groups in the mideast ourselves! We don't need Israel anymore. If we want a few hundred innocent civilians killed, we can do it ourselves!

I advocate simply no foreign aid for Israel whatsoever, until they bargain seriously for a two state solution. Nuttinbutayahoo indeed. Stupid aggressive fucks.

[Butch350]

3. Don't hold your breath on that one - the USA is Israel Bitch!!

[ardvark]

2. Why wouldnt they insult us? We're tapped out economically

why would they show us respect now?

[balantz]

4. Whatever powerful financial economic entities own and control the U.S. and Israeli governments

apparently hold Israel more dear because of the control Israel is allowed to have over the U.S.

[MasonJar]

5. Good There is some immediate money for healthcare for American citizens.

No more money for Israel.

[bemildred]

6. Indeed, they don't need us. We should just fuck off if we don't like it. nt