Viewpoint - January 26, 2012

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Dear Readers,

Two Articles today. The first is about the US's 3.8 billion dollar loan extension to Israel.

And the second is about how the former Israeli Ambassador to the United States says Obama's "weakness" has left Israel with having "to keep apologizing for itself all the time."

What is that old saying...? "Don't bit the hand that feeds you."

US to Grant Extension of $3.8 Billion in Loan Guarantees to israel
http://bit.ly/yZv78p

Former Israeli Envoy to US: Replace Obama
http://bit.ly/zg7Ltf

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US to Grant Extension of $3.8 Billion in Loan Guarantees to israel

The financial backing is yet another example of Washington's tacit endorsement of illegal, inhumane treatment of Palestinians

by: John Glaser

The Obama administration told Israeli officials this week that the U.S. plans to extend for three years $3.8 billion in loan guarantees to Israel.

The Israeli government was reportedly worried that the extension would not be granted after several months of delay in Washington's response. But Deputy U.S. Secretary of State Thomas Nides and Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Neil Wolin met with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon and promised to recommend to Congress the extension.

The recommendation, they promised, would receive wide support from both parties in Congress and would be approved without issue in the near future. "The agreement," according to Haaretz, "included a clause that the U.S. would deduct the amount of Israel's expenses and investments in settlements over the Green Line."

The loan guarantees agreement between the U.S. and Israel began in 2003, when Israel was in an economic recession and the George W. Bush administration pushed through financial backing for them to raise funds abroad at low interest rates. The scope of the original agreement was $9 billion, but they have not been used since 2005.

The loan guarantees are in addition to the unmatched support Washington gives to Israel â?? over $13 billion in direct aid since 2007 and more than $3 billion more scheduled for fiscal year 2012, not to mention privileged deals in military training and equipment. Many view this support as facilitating and endorsing Israel's consistent oppression of Palestinians and numerous violations of international law, yet it is the most consensus-driven issue in Washington.

"We consider the loan guarantees as preparation for a rainy day," a senior Israeli Foreign Ministryofficial said. "This is a safety net for war, natural disaster and economic crisis, which allows Israel to maintain economic stability in unstable surroundings."

But many see this support as facilitating and endorsing Israel's consistent oppression of Palestinians and numerous violations of international law, yet it is the most consensus-driven issue in Washington.

Original Article: http://bit.ly/yZv78p

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Former Israeli Envoy to US: Replace Obama

President Obama should be replaced, former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Dan Gillerman told a women's Zionist conference.

By: Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

President Obama should be replaced, former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Dan Gillerman told a women's Zionist conference.

In a 180-degree turn from the usually complimentary, if not patronizing, views of diplomats serving terms in foreign countries, Gillerman told the annual Women's International Zionist Organization (WIZO) conference in Tel Aviv Tuesday night that President Obama's "weakness" has left Israel with having "to keep apologizing for itself all the time."

"We shouldn't have to be on the defensive," added Gillerman, who served as ambassador from 2003 to 2008. He once referred to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter as a bigot for his meeting in Syria with Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal.

Concerning the president's bid for re-election this November, Gillerman said that the changes in regimes in the Middle East make it more imperative for a change in favor of what he said is the need for a stronger president.

The new Middle East to which Gillerman referred has catapulted blatant anti-Israeli and anti-American Muslim parties into the political spotlight, particularly in Egypt.

President Obama used his annual State of the Union speech to defend his foreign policies and claiming credit for the apparent demise of the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad and uniting most of the world against Iran.

Israel is a "key for securing Jewish support in November," according to the Politico website, which noted that President Obama added "iron-clad to his prepared version of the speech in which he spoke of his "commitment to Israel's security."

Original Article: http://bit.ly/zg7Ltf

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