White House Rejects Netanyahu’s Request To Meet With Obama…

[HonestChieffan]

This seems really odd. In an Election year, turning down an ally head of state for a simple meeting.



The White House declined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request on Tuesday to meet U.S. President Barack Obama during a UN conference in New York at the end of the month.

An official in Jerusalem said that the prime minister’s office sent the White House a message stating that although Netanyahu will spend only two and a half days on U.S. soil, he is interested in meeting Obama and is willing to travel to the U.S. capital specifically for that purpose. The official added that the White House rejected the request and said that at this time Obama’s schedule does not allow for a meeting.

The White House’s response marks a new low in relations between Netanyahu and Obama, underscored by the fact that this is the first time Netanyahu will visit the U.S. as prime minister without meeting the president.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak tried to ease the tension on Tuesday, saying that the differences between the U.S. and Israel should be ironed out “but behind closed doors.”

“We must not forget that the U.S. is Israel’s most important source of support in terms of security,” he said in a statement.

Earlier on Tuesday, Netanyahu launched an unprecedented verbal attack on the U.S. government over its stance on the Iranian nuclear program.

“The world tells Israel ‘wait, there’s still time’. And I say, ‘Wait for what? Wait until when?’ Those in the international community who refuse to put red lines before Iran don’t have a moral right to place a red light before Israel,” Netanyahu told reporters on Tuesday.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomac...emium-1.464328

[Lightrise]

I don't see where there is anything to talk about right now. They get 3 billion a year in aid, the most of any nation and frankly they don't need it. Now if Netanyahu were to proclaim at the conference that Israel would leave land they have stolen that might be different. The Israeli people are not behind Netanyahu on the march to war which would be a catastrophe for everyone. The middle east is a mess right now and the best policy is to stick with the crushing sanctions on Iran. We don't need Netanyahu to create chaos and that is exactly what he does.

[LiveSteam]

Originally Posted by Lightrise

I don't see where there is anything to talk about right now. They get 3 billion a year in aid, the most of any nation and frankly they don't need it. Now if Netanyahu were to proclaim at the conference that Israel would leave land they have stolen that might be different. The Israeli people are not behind Netanyahu on the march to war which would be a catastrophe for everyone. The middle east is a mess right now and the best policy is to stick with the crushing sanctions on Iran. We don't need Netanyahu to create chaos and that is exactly what he does.

Stolen land & crushing sanctions

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by LiveSteam

Stolen land & crushing sanctions

Every election year brings a few honest-to-god nutballs to DC. Bushliedpeopledied type whack jobs. This time around its this guy and como.
Good thing is they soon go away.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Lightrise

I don't see where there is anything to talk about right now. They get 3 billion a year in aid, the most of any nation and frankly they don't need it. Now if Netanyahu were to proclaim at the conference that Israel would leave land they have stolen that might be different. The Israeli people are not behind Netanyahu on the march to war which would be a catastrophe for everyone. The middle east is a mess right now and the best policy is to stick with the crushing sanctions on Iran. We don't need Netanyahu to create chaos and that is exactly what he does.

Stolen land? Are you even remotely aware of the history, or are you just vomiting talking points?

[Lightrise]

Originally Posted by Donger

Stolen land? Are you even remotely aware of the history, or are you just vomiting talking points?

Yes I am aware of the history and I was just waiting for someone to win the prize. Congratulations! It won't be long until someone says, but God gave Israel the land. But what everyone forgets is that God didn't tell them they could keep it if they were disobedient. It is so sad that the Israeli government has done so much to make matters worse with the settlements. While I support their right to exist one cannot ignore the 18 years of occupation in Lebannon and where that led. It's such a mess over there and while they've had more of their share of trouble that government often makes things worse.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Lightrise

Yes I am aware of the history and I was just waiting for someone to win the prize. Congratulations! It won't be long until someone says, but God gave Israel the land. But what everyone forgets is that God didn't tell them they could keep it if they were disobedient. It is so sad that the Israeli government has done so much to make matters worse with the settlements. While I support their right to exist one cannot ignore the 18 years of occupation in Lebannon and where that led. It's such a mess over there and while they've had more of their share of trouble that government often makes things worse.

Don't worry, it's Donger that doesn't know the history of the ME. He thinks it only started after WWII.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by Lightrise

Yes I am aware of the history and I was just waiting for someone to win the prize. Congratulations! It won't be long until someone says, but God gave Israel the land. But what everyone forgets is that God didn't tell them they could keep it if they were disobedient. It is so sad that the Israeli government has done so much to make matters worse with the settlements. While I support their right to exist one cannot ignore the 18 years of occupation in Lebannon and where that led. It's such a mess over there and while they've had more of their share of trouble that government often makes things worse.

Do you know why they were there?

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by Lightrise

I don't see where there is anything to talk about right now. They get 3 billion a year in aid, the most of any nation and frankly they don't need it. Now if Netanyahu were to proclaim at the conference that Israel would leave land they have stolen that might be different. The Israeli people are not behind Netanyahu on the march to war which would be a catastrophe for everyone. The middle east is a mess right now and the best policy is to stick with the crushing sanctions on Iran. We don't need Netanyahu to create chaos and that is exactly what he does.

I don't think you have any idea what you are talking about.

[qabbaan]

"Our commitment to Israel is stronger than ever."

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by qabbaan

"Our commitment to Israel is stronger than ever."

But **** 'em if they want to meet with us.

[Bo's Pelini]

Who gives a shit?

[Brock]

Just cash the checks, Benjie.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

This seems really odd. In an Election year, turning down an ally head of state for a simple meeting.

It's called doing the right thing for the right reasons regardless of the political fall out.

I'm to the right of most of you on Israel. The majority of Israel is not ready to go to all out war and attack Israel. Netanyahu does not have the full suppport of his people back home for his hawkish war stance.

BTW I met him several times. I was working with a guy who best buddies with his brother that died in the Enteebe raid. He was on that raid too. Broke bread together at least 5-6 times together.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Netanyahu does not have the full suppport of his people back home for his hawkish war stance.

Yup that's true, plus other countries are coming to Iran's aid so that she is no completely isolated. There's a shift there, small but it's something.

But there was some Israeli military guy, I saw a few weeks ago, claiming Israel didn't have the capacity to carry out what would be needed to do the job. He wants America to do.

I also have read that Obama has told Israel to lay off Iran until after the election. So I am not completely sold on him not being for an attack by them.