Shipment of aerial anti-armor missiles stopped after White House, State Department learned that IDF requested transfer directly from Pentagon without asking for their approval, according to Wall Street Journal report.
Yitzhak Benhorin, YNET, 08.14.14, 08:13
WASHINGTON – The US administration has halted a shipment of Hellfire aerial anti-armor missiles to Israel, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing government sources.
The sources noted that Israel had requested the transfer of ammunitions directly from the Pentagon, without receiving the approval of the White House or State Department officials.
“We were blindsided,” one US diplomat said, while a US defense official insisted that “there was no intent to blindside anyone. The process for this transfer was followed precisely along the lines that it should have.”
According to the sources, White House officials were concerned about Israel’s use of artillery, instead of precision-guided munitions in the more densely populated areas in the Gaza Strip.
The Journal reports Israel requested money for more Iron Dome interceptors from the US Defense Department mere days after the ground incursion into Gaza began. While Israeli officials told the Americans Israel had enough interceptors for the current Gaza operation, they said it wanted to replenish its stocks.
According to the Journal, the Obama administration, with Israel’s consent, decided not to seek emergency funding, and instead hold the Congress vote on the $225 million military aid proposal in the fall.
While the White House had no qualms about supplying Israel with the defensive, non-lethal Iron Dome interceptors, the Journal reports Israel took another route to secure $3 million worth of lethal munitions, including 120-mm mortar shells and 40-mm illuminating rounds.
The request, made by Israel’s Defense Ministry to the US military, was approved without needing or seeking the approval of President Barack Obama or Secretary of State John Kerry, officials told the Journal. At the same time, the standard review process was properly followed.
After the shipment of the 120-mm and 40-mm rounds caught the White House by surprise, the Pentagon was instructed to put another arms shipment to Israel – a large number of Hellfire missiles – on halt and the administraction instructed all of its defense agencies to consult with the White House and State Department before approving any additional arms requests from Israel, the Journal reported.
A US official told the paper that “the decision to scrutinize future transfers at the highest levels amounted to the United States saying ‘The buck stops here. Wait a second… It’s not OK anymore.'”
Meanwhile, Israel pushed to expedite the money for Iron Dome interceptors in Congress, telling lawmakers the money was urgently needed because they were running out of interceptors.
Diplomatic battles
While the Israeli and American militaries worked well together, the paper describes a long line of diplomatic battles between the Obama administration and the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, noting relations between the two countries have reached another low point.
An Israeli official told the newspaper that the rift between Israel and the US has now deepened: “We’ve been there before with a lot of tension with us and Washington. What we have now, on top of that, is mistrust and a collision of different perspectives on the Middle East.”
Obama and Netanyahu reportedly had a “particularly combative” phone call on Wednesday.
US officials are quoted by the Journal as saying the current Gaza conflict has “persuaded them that Mr. Netanyahu and his national security team are both reckless and untrustworthy.”
Meanwhile Israeli officials view the Obama administration as “weak and naive” and are working to bypass the White House, working with allies in Congress and elsewhere in the US administration instead.
The Israeli officials told the Journal Netanyahu isn’t worried about the tensions with the Obama administration and that he believews he can simply “wait out” Obama’s term, while relying on the strong support for Israel in Congress until then.
Netanyahu is said to have used his influence in the Pentagon, Congress and lobby groups in Washington to defuse the US administration’s pressure on Israel during the Gaza operation.
American officials note that while Netanyahu told them he was interested in a ceasefire, the two allies clashed over which players would take part and how to go about achieving one.
On July 25, Kerry sent Israel a draft proposal for a ceasefire, intending for the Israeli government to propose changes. Officials told the Journal that Netanyahu presented the draft to his cabinet for a vote, against the Americans’ wishes and in breach of protocol. The draft was also leaked to the Israeli media.
US officials told the paper they believed “the Israeli government publicly mischaracterized Mr. Kerry’s ideas with the intent of buying more time to prosecute the fight against Hamas” because they were angry the secretary of state reached out to Qatar and Turkey – Hamas’ allies – for their help in securing the ceasefire. While Israel and Egypt sought to sideline Qatar and Turkey’s influence with Hamas, the Americans viewed them as the only players that could convince Hamas to agree to a ceasefire.
Tensions flared again when Israeli officials leaked to the press that Netanyahu told US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro that the Obama administration was “not to ever second-guess me again” about how to deal with Hamas, the paper reported.
In a punitive action, the administration decided to require White House and State Department approval for any munitions request by Israel, even routine ones. This would slow the approval process and signal to Israel the military assistance it took for granted was now closely scrutinized, according to the Journal.
Israel’s Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer said the allegations raised by the US officials to the paper were “unfounded.”
“Israel deeply appreciates the support we have received during the recent conflict in Gaza from both the Obama administration and the Congress for Israel’s right to defend itself and for increased funding of Iron Dome,” Dermer told the Journal.
Meanwhile, senior political officials in Israel argued Netanyahu and Dermer were responsible for the worsening of the relations between Israel and the US administration.
“We all remember how they went behind Obama’s back to help candidates during elections,” they said, adding that “Netanyahu is responsible for this situation.”
yamit82 Said:
Answer your own question! You have forgotten already? You managed to obfuscate yourself so much, it’s a wonder you can remember your name.
I have never posted anything to do with psychoanalysis nor simply theoretical “thought”. These are your misinterpretations because of a void in your foundational understanding of humans. It’s not just a void with you it’s a stubborn refusal to look which is mostly the reason people think you are mean Mr. Mustard.
You are missing a major dimension in understanding political thought. If you can’t understand the basic nature of humans and of yourself, you can’t possibly understand the basic dynamics of political action.You are just operating as a reflex with no self awareness or ability to use or find any of the keys. Result – you are stuck in a rut
Max Said:
Answer what? I seldom theorize and give most of my opinions based on supportable fact and information that I usually supply along with my comments. I don’t psychoanalyze or try to figure out what makes those I don’t know tick.
This site is about or mostly about political opinion related to Israel and those countries and personalities who have influence on what relates to Israel
Here you are a major disappointment because you contribute nothing to our pool of knowledge and are neither enlightening nor illuminating except to show that you are both dumb and ignorant on the subject matters raised on the many threads Ted posts.
Are you by chance bipolar? Just vundering.
Max Said:
Must be cause you ain’t too bright.
America isn’t so bright they just have money and buy knowledge and technology of those smarter and more inventive than they are. Same goes for culture and sport.
Canada isn’t even in the game. Take away their abundance of natural resources, the population would be close to a small city.
In deference to the many Canadian posters and readers of this blog I will refrain from citing a myriad of sarcastic Canadian jokes.
Max Said:
What make you a mentor????????
Max Said:
Things change. ” Hold your friends close and your enemies even closer”.
Max says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
August 18, 2014 at 1:14 am
A very flat question abut American dependence – nothing worth censoring.
yamit82 Said:
I don’t see how Israel can be independent of tech aid and tech trade with America. If they could why would Israeli politicians be so afraid of being cut off? I’m sure the leaders refuse to exterminate Hams and Hezbollah because of White House Phone calls telling them to stop. Both Olmert and Bibi were obedient – they must have some hold on them.
@ yamit82:
Still waiting for your answer.
Max Said:
DON’T MESS WITH YAMIT82, [ you’ll only embareass yore self] I’m thinking of yawls. But bless you’re lil ol’heart anyhow, sweetness.
yamit82 Said:
I tested your comprehension, attitude, knowledge and experience in this area – score is flat zero. You are not a promising student to mentor.
But I can see what I write is not just nothing, it gets to you it bothers you where live in deep rigid self-repressive denial, but you don’t know why.
——-
“Ballad of a thin man”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ha1eqHDu_w
yamit82 Said:
http://youtu.be/UU0X1kEPhqA
yamit82 Said:
A Liberal Jewish Congressman from CA was on FX news today advocating military action against ISIS. His name escapes me.
yamit82 Said:
Mature and experienced enough to know how to please.
yamit82 Said:
You may have point about the relationship between Israel and USA. That is a relationship that should be explored further. Use that wonderful command of English grammar you possess and compose and publish a editorial on the subject.
As for a bogeyman under ones bed!!! that could have interesting possibilities ????????
Max Said:
Do you ever edit what you write, Sweets?????????? yamit82 has some extremely interesting collegiate experiences.
yamit82 Said:
A- I posted him because he is a pro Israel Jewish liberal…an anomaly these days and he has a large audience.
B- Not-all criticisms by liberals is misplaced and inaccurate. Sometimes they get it right just like sometimes conservatives get it right. In most cases neither get it right. Just sayin…
honeybee Said:
How old????
honeybee Said:
Story of my life. One door closes another opens, till now.
Laura Said:
Funny a big deal is made over non delivery of Hell fire missiles used on Apache long Bow Helicopter gun ships.
Lest we foreget America has long embarged and refused to sell Israel Apache Helicopters while selling them to all our immediate neighbors and enemies.
The following is from 2010 and nothing substantial has changed for the better since.
Is the US Eroding Israel’s Qualitative Edge?
America has approved $10 billion in new arms sales to Arab states while rejecting Israeli requests for advanced weapons.
Israel upgrades Apache helicopters after U.S. blocked their modernization
Israel, despite opposition from the Obama administration, has managed to upgrade its fleet of attack helicopters.
Military sources said the Israel Air Force has overseen a project to modernize its AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters. The sources said the Air Force was equipping the Apaches with two new electronic warfare systems developed in the Jewish state.
“They are based on the huge operational experience of the force in using the Apache Longbow in a variety of combat scenarios,” an officer, identified only as Maj. Yonatan, said.
The upgrade has been developed amid the U.S. refusal to modernize Israel’s Apache fleet, employed in attacks on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Embargoes have always been good for Israel. It forces us to be independent.Yamit
Max Said:
Really? Actually past the first sentence I didn’t read the rest. If you have theories even the most off the wall variety I expect you to provide some concrete factual evidence to support your theories. Since you pontificate ad-nausea using the same psychobabble and political theories with no support; what you write is of no interest beyond sometimes being amusing. Lately you have ceased being amusing, just boorish.
Max Said:
Your nuts!!!! America does not owe Israel a thing. I can make a case that if America doesn’t abandon us it will lead to our demise.
I can make a case that America needs Israel and not the converse. If you had a brain and a little knowledge of history, you might if your fears of the bogeyman under your bed or in your closet is set aside, see what is obvious. 😛
Israel went over their heads because the white house and state department are anti-Israel.
yamit82 Said:
That wasn’t a grammar test, it was a reading comprehension test Like the previous sentence grammar was not the difficulty you encountered.
Considering you lack of ability I would suppose you would find that university experience somewhat embarrassing to mention to others. Best to keep it to yourself.
That’s just the point – let’s try according to you first and then we can compare with others. Why don’t you share some of your foundational experience, theory, experiences and anecdotal incidents showing the usefulness of these tools?
The blank void you are experiencing in considering the above question is the reason why you couldn’t understand those previous sentences. It is a slice of experience outside your ken.
Directed growth is a tool which can take us beyond being a simple automated reflex to our environment.
yamit82 Said:
TX say you’re to late, he’s got the girl and the pear cobbler too.
@ yamit82:
I love old Jewish men and the women too.
yamit82 Said:
little changed since 1951
honeybee Said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NFIAjkWLac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0gOVNyLElU
yamit82 Said:
you mean Black Jack, don’t forget the maraschino cherries !!!!!!!!!!
yamit82 Said:
Words to live by, and I do. But someday I would like to go one a vacation and stay at really expensive hotel and eat really fancy food.
yamit82 Said:
As for the guy!!!!!!!!!! Men are useless from the neck up.
bernard ross Said:
The Israel Restraint Forces
yamit82 Said:
Soounds interesting, but hauling into those back woods may be difficult for a city boy. I am thinking what to stock in the frig. [ hope it’s a new “French Door model with pull out freezer]. I know chocolate in all most delightful manifestations. I have killer recipe for Chocolate pie. Do you like pear cobbler, waiting for one to finish baking. Just mixed-up a tuna/macaroni salad. Do forget mosquito repellent.
honeybee Said:
For a chick like that I’d dump the truck and get a Winnebago, wall to wall mattresses and a fridge stocked with Carona and plenty of JD.
yamit82 Said:
there are many scenarios requiring non nuclear forces that do not involve invasion. For example,in a scenario of sanctions Israel will probably need to or find it efficacious to go to war to seize or destroy armies, assets or resources. Having an ability to project power would logically turn the current weakness into an asset if the power were projected. If Israel seized the arabian peninsula it could control much of the worlds energy and reallocate current resources which are spent towards harming Israel. Personally, I do not find it an outlandish idea, I think it is feasible but requires seeing the military beyond defense but also for economic expansion and power. Russia, china and USA do this now. Furthermore, Israel could form many relationships in Africa, and probably is, based on the perception of its power, ability and weapons development.
I agree with you basic principle of independence in the production of weapons and these weapons could be used for more than defense and sales models.
honeybee Said:
Not me it’s Groucho.
:
@ yamit82:
@ phoenix
For your mutual edification Tx and I have a video on the better uses for pick-up truck.
http://youtu.be/3YfNFR6gh2E
@ yamit82:
yamit82 Said:
Ohhhh what were you sayin. Have you re-Judaized a Christian today?????????
yamit82 Said:
$ 50.00,,, What kind of cheap piece do you think I am. Que insulta!!!!! Amorcito
honeybee Said:
Go for it, maybe the duck will come down and give you 50 bucks for the flea market.
Ted My comment blocked by your spam filter???
bernard ross Said:
I think it was 2010. Left it out not to confuse. I was limited as to how much detail to include before having the post spammed. It was the result in the aftermath of the Gaza fighting in Operation Cast Led 2008-2009.
“May God make us dependent not on the alms or loans of others, but rather on God’s full, open and generous hand, so that we may never be humiliated or put to shame” Birkat ha-mazon.
America has betrayed Israel on several occasions. The US withdrew its UN vote in favor of establishing Israel in 1948, and embargoed weapons shipments to Israel in the War of Independence. Truman slapped Israel with an arms embargo during the war of survival, three years after Auschwitz. When the Jews won, the Americans pushed us into an unprofitable armistice—and did so again in 1956, 1967, 1973, and after various intermediate confrontations. In 1957, Eisenhower promised Israel he would interfere if Egypt closed the Straits of Tiran—in exchange for Israel abandoning Sinai, which it had conquered in the 1956 war. When Egypt closed the Straits in 1967, the US did nothing except to try to prevent Israel from preemption. Kissinger moved the US Administration to support Israel in a bid to counter Soviet influence in the Middle East, but the US fully neglects Israeli interests now.
Does Israel depend on the US for military resupply? Today, yes, after decades of increases in American aid. Such backing did not exist before the final days of the 1973 war. Israel won all her wars without the US, and the resupply in 1973 came too late and went almost unused. Egypt took the resupply as a convenient excuse to concede defeat, and made it a point of propaganda that it stopped the war not because the Israelis had crossed Suez and were roaming at will at the Egyptian army’s rear, but because of American involvement. Iran similarly rationalized its armistice with Iraq: it was not due to exhaustion, but because of the United States’ downing of an Iranian civilian aircraft.
Israel needs no one’s military help if she resorts to first-use of nuclear weapons. Just make it a law that any invasion will be answered by a nuclear strike. That’s it. No need for American guarantees. How many times has America reneged on its promises to Israel and other allies? The US negotiated and gave many concessions to North Korea because of five bombs in an unimportant region. Israel with 200-500 bombs in the world’s oil underbelly would garner all the concessions she needs. Jews just need to establish their nuclear credibility. It’s better to be an enemy of America than her friend or ally.
@ yamit82:
Really yamit82, I am soooo ashamed of you !!!!!!!!!! NO IMMAGINATION.!!!!!!!!!! I am surrounded by Christian Zionist, do they de-Judaize me NO. I RE-Judaize them. I buy them Menorahs, mezuzahs for their doors, yarmulkes for their heads, Mogen David for the walls and necks. I make them honey cakes, ruglah, chopped liver and lakes. I slowly and deter manly de-Christianize and re-_Judaize them. Some of them have become sarcastic, cynical and disagreeable. Some have even taken to writing long winded, undecipherable and boring post to the Pundit. Think boy think, use that fancy degree of yours. Darlin
the phoenix Said:
phoenix, you’re a “bad boy”.
@ honeybee:
…the bridges of Maddison county?,,,
yamit82 Said:
I absolutely love “old pick-ups” drive all over pastures and fields down dusty wash board country roads. The ones with flat tops the dog can stand upon. I had a friend who had one. We would tear off, through the pasture to feed cattle. Dog on the top, could never entice him into the cab, anticipating every bump and jumping off the moving vehicle at the first sniff of a cow.
yamit82 Said:
I could have verbal fun with that, darlin. You bring out the Groucho in me.
yamit82 Said:
you appear to have left out when it was doubled, in “December”,which appeared in your original post of this article. I am curious as to which December it was doubled in, was it last December? It appears to pre sage a need coming up.
Max Said:
And what’s there to think about a dyspeptic old Jew , alone in the outback of Canada, with nothing better to do then insult beautiful Texas cowgirls. Infatuation, a father complex. And I am correct about your taste in the cinema. Sweets.
yamit82 Said:
Bill Maher is a foulmouthed, misogynist twit. If you like his “humor ” I sincerely worry about your mental state.
@ yamit82:
Darlin, it’s not that Americans are “stupid’ about Canada, its just that Canada is sooooooo insignificant.