Posted on 03/30/2010 11:19:18 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Obama administration defense officials were said to have approved the sale U.S. military aircraft to Israel at the same time political tensions between President Barack Obama and Israel's conservative leader neared the boiling point at a White House meeting.
Israeli sources said Obama has agreed to sell the Jewish state three C-130J air transports, manufactured by Lockheed Martin. They said the U.S. Defense Department and Israel's Defense Ministry have reached agreement on the air transport deal, set at $250 million.
"As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington this week absorbing the full wrath of the Obama administration, the Pentagon and Israel's defense establishment were in the process of sealing a large arms deal," Israeli defense correspondent Amos Harel wrote in the Haaretz daily.
The sources confirmed the Israeli reports, also published on the Ynet news Web site on March 25. The United States has not confirmed the reports and the Defense Department did not issue any announcements. Haaretz had reported that the deal would be announced imminently.
-to-military relationship with Israel is as strong as it's ever been," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on March 25.
Under the reported deal, Israel would receive three C-130J air transports over the next three years. The sources said the contract contained an option for another six platforms.
In 2007, Congress approved a request by the administration of then-President George Bush for the sale of nine C-130J aircraft to Israel. The sale was valued by the Pentagon at $1.9 billion and included missile warning systems, counter-measures and fuel tanks.
The Obama administration has not approved a major military sale to Israel. Over the last year, Israel has submitted a range of requests for U.S. aircraft, missiles, refueling systems and helicopter upgrades.
(Excerpt) Read more at worldtribune.com ...
if u want to see an encouraging site, go to Netanyahu’s facebook page.
Thousands of Americans are posting support for him on his wall.
I did not know that. I will sign up tonight. Thanks for the heads up
oh... my bad... looks like it was Bush’s fault... Obambi is the one she (Israel) would be hiding from.
If youd like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
..................
Different from what????
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.