Israel to US: Limit Saudi missile deal

[bemildred]

A high-level Israeli delegation will meet with officials in Washington this week and demand that restrictions be clamped on the proposed US sale of state-of-the-art weaponry to Saudi Arabia, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

The talks are expected to center on the US decision to sell Joint Direct Attack Munition satellite-guided "smart bombs" to Saudi Arabia. The sale has caused consternation in Jerusalem over concern it could tip the balance of power in the region.

If the sale does go through, Israel has expressed interest in acquiring the F-22 stealth bomber - a plane that can avoid radar detection and is the world's most advanced fighter jet - to maintain its qualitative edge. In April, the Post reported that the IAF had inquired about obtaining the aircraft and had requested that the Defense Ministry present the request on its behalf to the Pentagon.

Israel is to be represented at the talks by Defense Ministry Diplomatic-Military Bureau head Amos Gilad and IDF Planning Directorate head Maj.-Gen. Ido Nehushtan. The US team is to be headed by Beth McCormick, the acting deputy undersecretary of defense for technology security policy and national disclosure policy, and the director of the Defense Department Defense Technology Security Administration.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1180960615959&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[Purveyor]

1. "demand" that restrictions be clamped on the proposed US sale? What will israel do, refuse their

next 'handout' from the US taxpayer if we don't "comply"?

Who the hell do they think they are demanding anything of the USA?

[Lurking Dem]

2. The U.S. is clearly

"rockin' to the music of AIPAC" with this deal.

[Douglas Carpenter]

3. I really cannot understand why ??

Saudi Arabia certainly is not going to attack Israel. That is ludicrous.

And if Israel and the United States are so concerned about Iran, it is the Saudi Arabia and other Gulf State oil fields, refineries and tankers that sit just a couple hundred miles across the Gulf from Iran. The greatest fear of Iranian retaliation is that the Iranians might retaliate by firing missiles at the oil fields and refiners of Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf States as well as the oil tankers on the Gulf.

It would seem that if Israel and the United States really considered Iran such a threat they would want the Saudis to have the maximum.

[bemildred]

4. I think it's a negotiating strategy.

Not unlike the supposed hatred of the Democrats and Republicans here in the USA. Inseparable Enemies is what they are. The Saudis get their JDAMS and the Israelis get "compensated" with something they want. Pay no attention to the little man behind the screen.