Officials: Obama coming to Israel to prevent strike on Iran

By JPOST.COM STAFF

The reason behind the urgency of the US president’s trip to Israel in spring – a time flagged by Netanyahu as significant in the Iranian nuclear program – is to tell him to leave the matter to the US, officials tell Army Radio.

The main purpose of US President Barack Obama’s visit to Israel in the spring is to warn Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu against attacking Iran, unnamed officials told Army Radio on Sunday.

According to the officials, the urgency of the trip is because in his speech to the United Nations in September, Netanyahu had flagged the spring of 2013 as a significant time in the context of the Iranian nuclear threat.

Therefore, they said, Obama is concerned that the prime minister will decide to attack Iran now when he is backed by a new government and can establish a new security cabinet, without Dan Meridor and Benny Begin, two Likud MKs and alleged opponents of such a strike who lost their Knesset seats in the recent elections.

The officials told Army Radio that the US president subsequently decided to transmit a direct message to Netanyahu: “Don’t attack Iran, let me handle matters with the Iranians according to my understanding, and if necessary I will take action, we have capabilities that you do not.”

At the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday morning, Netanyahu said that he and Obama, when they spoke last month about the visit, agreed that it would focus on three central issues: Iran’s race toward nuclear weapons; the instability in Syria and how that impacts on regional security, and both Israeli and US interests; and efforts to move forward the diplomatic process with the Palestinians.

February 10, 2013 | 60 Comments »

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50 Comments / 60 Comments

  3. Honey Bee Said:

    The Greeks need 300,the Texican 18.aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

    We are better than Texicans. Had i been there, we wouldn’t have needed 300, but only 17 (i am equivalent to 284)

  4. If Israel started to leverage its own military and tech might in the ME for its own account, leaving out the middleman, very unusual possibilities can occur. My bet is that the GCC and Jordanian monarchies would welcome a rapprochment with Israel and even military pacts in order to combat the persian shia threat. Right now they have enemies in front and enemies behind them.

  6. yamit82 Said:

    White House officials spent weeks in Israel attempting to form an alliance of pro-western states, including Turkey and Jordan, to help stabilize the region, The Sunday Times also reported.

    after all the deal making and ballyhoo, it becomes apparent that there is only one national power in the area that is ready, willing and able to take action. The rest are blowhards hiring muslim mercenaries. Israels taking control of the skies has everyone compliant and waiting for the cue. If Israel decides to favor an outcome, all know that it will be the outcome. No one has challenged Israels assertion of power in the sky. Turkey’s blowhard looks like a clown with his threats to everybody but in all these months he did nothing to syria. Israel should start making deals directly rather than through 3rd parties who reap the benefits. The beginning of the paradigm shift could begin if Israel recognized their own power.

  7. Israel is becoming the dominant ME player that all will have to consider. Israel is beginning to reach out in tentacles to Africa and Asia. The Arabs are not popular beyond the oil. Israel has the power to disrupt the oil flows and disrupt the plans and schemes of others: inc the west.

  9. yamit82 Said:

    Two of the prime minister’s aides will arrive in Washington this week in an attempt to link the Iranian and Palestinian issues,

    At one time Israel did not want Iran linked to ME peace negotiations. Is this reverse psychology or did someone forget what postion they formerly held. 🙂
    the most the pals will get in the near future is fluff for boasting. the problem is if BB makes commitments which can only have one outcome.

  11. Israel should dump Cyprus

    Palestinian Authority: Cyprus recognizes Palestinian state

    Palestinian news agency claims Abbas received letter from President Christofias saying his country hopes for ‘peaceful solution ensuring independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.’ Cyprus: Our position hasn’t changed since 1988, it coincides with EU’s stance

  12. yamit82 Said:

    Bernard Ross Said:

    Two of the prime minister’s aides will arrive in Washington this week in an attempt to link the Iranian and Palestinian issues, The Times reported. If the report over Obama’s attempt to appease Netanyahu is authentic, the White House is receptive to the link.

    Looks Like BB is In Favor Of Such An Arrangement!!!! 🙁

  13. Bernard Ross Said:

    yamit82 Said:
    he is planning to retire from politics in just a few weeks
    Does this include the defense ministry. Might BB keep it and bring barak back as a non political and as a feint?

    Barak has no political constituency and would be a liability in and out of government. His role will be below the radar in unofficial capacities but might be more powerful than the official players.

    ‘Obama to up Iran heat in return for peace talks’

    Netanyahu’s aides visit US in attempt to link Iranian, Palestinian issues, according to ‘Sunday Times’; Mideast adviser: “Obama doesn’t want to be the president on whose watch Iran acquires nukes, 2 state solution dies.”

    Two of the prime minister’s aides will arrive in Washington this week in an attempt to link the Iranian and Palestinian issues, The Times reported. If the report over Obama’s attempt to appease Netanyahu is authentic, the White House is receptive to the link.

    White House officials spent weeks in Israel attempting to form an alliance of pro-western states, including Turkey and Jordan, to help stabilize the region, The Sunday Times also reported.

  15. yamit82 Said:

    he is planning to retire from politics in just a few weeks

    Does this include the defense ministry. Might BB keep it and bring barak back as a non political and as a feint?

  16. Honey Bee Said:

    Do something for youself, again “The 18 of Gonzalez”!!!!!!!!!!

    dear hb…
    i am sorry… but i did not get it.. 🙁
    but please try again… 😉

  18. Barak makes surprise visit to U.S., days before top Netanyahu aides’ own trip
    The purpose of the trip is still not clear, but the outgoing defense minister is to meet with senior intelligence and Pentagon officials; this is Barak’s fourth trip abroad in the last month alone.

    Defense Minister Ehud Barak left for Washington on Monday morning for a surprise visit. The exact purpose of his trip is still not clear, but his office said that he was planning to meeting with senior officials in the Pentagon and the American intelligence community.

    This is Barak’s fourth trip abroad in the last month alone. He has made no fewer than nine business trips outside Israel in the past five months.He returned to Israel just last week from his latest trip – to the International Security Conference in Munich, Germany, which was attended by defense ministers from around the world. This trip came one week after Barak attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The defense minister’s other recent jaunts include a January visit to Washington and a visit to the United Kingdom in late October.

    Minister Dan Meridor will serve as acting defense minister in Barak’s absence.

    During these trips, Barak had the opportunity to make some comments to foreign media and audiences that quickly turned into front-page headlines in Israel.

    While in Munich, for example, Barak made what was perceived to be the first Israeli acknowledgment of last week’s attack in Syria that foreign media attributed to Israel.

    While in Davos, Barak said he was confident the U.S. has a plan for a ‘surgical operation’ against Iran, which would only be used in the event that diplomatic efforts to convince the country to drop its military nuclear program do not succeed.

    Barak’s visit to Washington comes at a strange time, and he is planning to retire from politics in just a few weeks.

    In addition, National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s special envoy Isaac Molho are scheduled to visit Washington later this week, to prepare for U.S. President Barack Obama’s trip to Israel next month. Aside from the technical details, Amidror will work with the Americans on the visit’s diplomatic agenda, especially on the Syrian and Iranian issues. Molho will discuss ideas for restarting the peace process.

  21. Canadian Otter Said:

    cryptic words meaning what, exactly? Why is it that citizens are allowing politicians to determine Israel’s borders and what land Jews can or cannot keep?

    I dont think they are going to decide borders for a while or give up C at this point. But, if an overwhelming majority does not want to transfer the west bank arabs, or enfranchise those arabs in a greater Israel, or rule over them in a form of “occupation”,then they are likely to decide that they are here to stay in a state, autonomous zone or confed with Jordan. Once that is a given then it is a matter of negotiating over land and security. The key is that it is all subject to being successful over a period of time, an evolving solution rather than an immediate commitment. This is the difference with past approaches and actually reflects BB’s original approach.

  25. the phoenix Said:

    there is no such thing, there has never been such thing and god willing no such abomination will occur.

    I agree, but what I want is not going to determine what BB will do. I am merely stating one of the alternatives which BB might embrace. Once there is no desire for A&B, no desire to enfranchise WB arabs in an Israeli state, and no willingness for transfer these alternatives become probable. The only other possibility, I see BB doing based on behavior, would be a temporary “solution” which stalls a real pal state and sovereignty over land however I think this one is unlikely. If in BB’s view, the negotiation has come down to Area C and security then ultimately some form of Pal state, autonomy or confederation becomes most likely; unless there is divine intervention.

  31. QUESTIONS – For us it’s OK to speculate how much the govt may be willing to give up. But this is serious. Which are the legal limits for government? Lieberman has been floating the idea of disengagement from all but the major settlements. He just said that a peace agreement is impossible so Israel should seek “an interim long-term accord” – http://www.timesofisrael.com/liberman-permanent-deal-with-palestinians-is-impossible/ – – cryptic words meaning what, exactly? Why is it that citizens are allowing politicians to determine Israel’s borders and what land Jews can or cannot keep? I’m just asking. ~~~ Aren’t there limits to what govt can do? Isn’t there a legal document saying that the govt does NOT have the right to surrender ANY Jewish land? What about international law (League of Nations)? ~~~~~ I was just watching a very moving 9/11 documentary on CBC. It is relevant to mention that from the outset 911 operators kept ordering Twin Towers workers to “stay where you are, help is on the way”. From what I’ve read some office workers who initially found their exits partly blocked by debris managed do descend somehow in very daring escapes. They did not follow orders, but used their own initiative and judgment and they survived. Those orders to “stay where you are” being repeated by 911 operators, who were themselves following orders, are a lesson for us all. It is OK to question authority. It is our obligation to do so. ~~~~~ Israeli politicians are arrogating to themselves authority to partition the land that they do not legally have. Citizens need to question and challenge such authority.

  32. Bernard Ross Said:

    Does anyone know of a nation that is completely surrounded by one other nation?

    the answer you gave in paranthesis is wrong, w.r.o.n.g., WRONG, W.R.O.N.G. !!!
    there is no such thing, there has never been such thing and god willing no such abomination will occur.

  35. yamit82 Said:

    The Arabs smell a rat coming from the opposite direction

    I read the link and didn’t understand what you meant by the statement. I am guessing that you mean the same thing about the stamp of kashrut for Abbas. I dont think that stamping abbas can help win over Israelis but maybe the pals. Perhaps he feels, as some jews advised him, that if he speaks directly to Israelis, he can win them over. My own view is that if anything is announced that is important, it was already agreed. We will be able to see by what is done and what is said. We may even know if there is an agreement by what BB does and says beforehand…the biggest possibility is the announcement of Israeli recognition of the pal state subject to working out the rest. I think this possibility has already been trial ballooned, giving a state with everything else(borders, security) subject to negotiations. but what is the rat and what is the opposite direction?
    I wonder if by recognizing the state and allowing sovereignty in certain areas, the conflict changes more easily to disputed territory rather than occupied for the remaining area C.

  37. yamit82 Said:

    Visit is for giving the Obama stamp of Kashrut on Abbas

    I think that Abbas is too small a reason to warrant his coming, he could do that for a mini non state without moving. It invests too much into something that has returned him nothing. I believe his main agenda coming up is the US domestic and getting mileage out of the ME is a gamble that can fail. I think he is an opportunist who will only move on the ME with pre agreement. He will move on Syria and Iran with EU, Nato and UN agreement if at all. I do not think this is the time that he will seek to push things down Israels throat. that path could bring him failure and no cigar for posterity. The real stage is consolidating Obamacare, etc. If announcements come out re BB, abbas and jordan it will have already been agreed by All.
    yamit82 Said:

    The Arabs smell a rat coming from the opposite direction

    what does this mean?

  39. Bernard Ross Said:

    to Ayalon I say “HAW, HAW, HAW: get real!”

    I backtrack on my derision. It may very well happen that BB recognises PA in this trip if the plan is for a confed. Ayalon may be a trial balloon.
    Recognizing the state and then conducting negotiations under jordanian auspices working out borders later but giving full sovereignty in A&B with C staying in Israels hands until security and borders worked out. perhaps this is the quid pro quo for E1. I havve heard of this recognition without borders idea before and the state was the publicized prerequisite to confederation in the 80’s recently re talked about.


  41. Israel’s Intensifying Fronts
    Are the expected visits of Obama and Hagel in Israel connected to a possible attack in Iran, and what of Syria and Israel’s northern front?
    Amir Rapaport
    8/2/2013

    @ Canadian Otter:

    LOL – When the PM can’t even sneeze without White House approval. No. Sorry. That’s not it.

    I agree with you it stinks of “mendacity”.

  44. http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=302711
    Liberman is sounding intelligent and Ayalon is sounding incredibly naiive, Go figure.

    “Anyone who thinks that in the center of the diplomatic, political and social tsunami that is shaking the Arab world it is possible to get a magical solution of comprehensive peace with the Palestinians does not understand,” he said. “I am saying clearly that it is impossible to reach a comprehensive agreement with the Palestinians,” said Liberman, who has not hidden his desire to return to the helm at the Foreign Ministry after his upcoming trial. “It is impossible to solve the conflict, it needs to be managed.”
    ……….
    Meanwhile, Liberman’s former deputy Danny Ayalon, who Liberman left off his party’s Knesset slate, said Saturday at a cultural event in Holon that Israel should recognize Palestine as a full member of the UN. “Israel will give the Palestinians sovereignty and independence and in return, they will recognize Israel as the national homeland of the Jewish people and will guarantee security arrangements,” he recommended. Ayalon called on Netanyahu to say to the Palestinians: “I am prepared to recognize you, but you have to recognize me.”

    to Ayalon I say “HAW, HAW, HAW: get real!”

  45. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS OR GET OUT – That’s what Turkey told the US ambassador.

    Just a few days after a suicide attack on the U.S. Embassy in Turkey on February 1, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Francis J. Ricciardone, gave a lengthy press briefing which included a few mild rebukes. Ricciardone mentioned Turkey’s jailing of non-violent protesters and a lack of transparency regarding charges against a large number of imprisoned former military personnel and academics, as well as a limitation in Turkey’s international terrorism law. The response to those remarks created a hailstorm of very public and very blunt attacks by many high level Turkish officials, all of which amounted to “get your nose out of our domestic business or get out.” http://www.jewishpress.com/news/turkish-ministers-to-us-amb-myob-or-get-out/2013/02/08/

  46. MISLEADING RUMOR – Imagine having the president of the USA coming all the way to Israel to ask the PM to please, please, don’t attack Iran. – LOL – When the PM can’t even sneeze without White House approval. No. Sorry. That’s not it. And judging by the last four years and by what Obama has been saying since his last inauguration, there’s ONLY ONE issue that matters to him: creating the state of Palestine.

    Obama is coming personally not to visit the state of Israel but to endorse the State of Palestine. The meeting with Netanyahu is only a side trip, an inevitable courtesy visit since he can’t land in Ramallah.

  47. Given the past contempt that the Obamination has displayed towards Netanyahu and Israel, we can conclude that the personal visit is not friendly. He is crashing the gates and is there to deliver a face to face threat to Netanyahu and Israel. No doubt we will never hear the actual content of this threat. It will be kept in the dark under the pretext of national security relations between the two countries.

    More rot from the creeping slime in the White House.

  48. Who knows the reasons: national leaders tell the peons anything, as to whether its the real McCoy is another story. Could be concern about an attack could be about coordinating an attack or tother effort. Any cooperation would likely be covered up. We know everybody is involved in Syria and I think the Syrian effort is to neutralize hezbullah and syria as proxies for Iran. This is more for the Saudi/sunnis than for Israel/jews, I doubt everyone is there for democracy or for the Jews: just the cynic in me talking. Somehow, mixed up in all this is probably energy $; just think of all the interests involved. This means those involved have a self interest. I wonder if there is contemplation of a saudi pipeline through sunni syria to the med and europe?

  49. The officials told Army Radio that the US president subsequently decided to transmit a direct message to Netanyahu: “Don’t attack Iran, let me handle matters with the Iranians according to my understanding, and if necessary I will take action, we have capabilities that you do not.”

    ….take your ‘understanding’ and SHOVE IT!!!
    what a BASTARD! (Literally, and figuratively)

  50. Officials: Obama coming to Israel to prevent strike on Iran

    Just read the headline and not yet the article.
    Immediate (knee jerk reaction) is:
    HAKAM L’HARGHECHA HASHKEM L’ HARGO
    will his convoy pass a grassy knoll?