Posted on 02/25/2015 6:58:07 PM PST by Dave346
Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs Yuval Steinitz responded on Wednesday to criticism that US Secretary of State John Kerry had apparently directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his stance on how to address the Iranian nuclear threat, Israel’s NRG reported.
Steinitz, a key Netanyahu loyalist, said, “[Kerry] might not know everything we know,” referring to Kerry’s implication on Tuesday that being as Israel is not involved in the minutiae of the upcoming agreement with Tehran about its nuclear program, it therefore cannot comment on the nature of the agreement’s outcome.
Steinitz’ remarks followed comments made by Secretary Kerry in a hearing before the United States House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, where he argued that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s opposition to the agreement may be wrong.
Kerry claimed that despite the fact that Netanyahu, who is slated to address Congress next week, had previously expressed opposition to the Interim Agreement with Tehran, he later decided to support it after it was was clear that it succeeded in delaying Iran’s nuclear program.
Speaking at a conference of the research center “Mituim,” dealing with the question of Israel’s international isolation, Steinitz said that, “We know all that we need to know, and we have an excellent picture of the negotiations.” He said that Israel is in close contact with French negotiators who are in touch with Iran’s representatives and are well-versed in the content of the talks currently taking place between the parties. He added that the information that has reached Jerusalem so far is the cause for Israel’s concern, and that despite the US-Israel friendship – which is indeed a strategic asset – “when it comes to the security of the State, we are also ready to fight.”
On Netanyahu’s upcoming trip to the United States, Steinitz said that, “this is a critical issue for our existence, and so we need to make every effort to prevent the agreement, or at least ensure further modifications, improvements and conditions in order to prevent an even worse agreement.” When it comes to the possibility of a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Steinitz noted that “all options are on the table.”
Why are we no millions in the street for Israel? WHY?
We heard the same thing in 2013, that it was the French keeping the Israelis in the loop. Clearly nothing has changed.
Oh I think Kerry and Obama know EXACTLY what BiBi knows, but they just don’t care..Obama’s agenda is to get Israel nuked, its just that simple
Hardly the French. There are plenty of Persian Jews and their friends. Completely native and completely inside.
Imagine the look on that pompous narcissist Kerry’s face when he heard that comment.
Why the long face, John?
I hope Netanyatu has a safe trip to America. I hope the dems don’t stir up some kind of fake catastrophe to divert attention away from his speech.
It’s sad that we have to think like that but it’s how they have made it.
Does Mr. Steinitz not know that Jean Claude Kerrie' served in Vietnam? Winner of the Croix de Candlestick (or something)?
He must not know, or he would not have questioned the Secretary of State's (and war hero) grasp of all facts ...
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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Obama and Kerry know everything, Biden too.
I suspect Kerry's real motivation in some of his recent comments is to dance around the classic antisemitic canard of dual loyalty. Particularly toward liberal Jews who may be sensitive to the charge. Kerry and Hillary supported the Iraq war in America's interest. It's fair to say Bibi supported America in Israel's interest. As he's doing now. Move forward to Iran, the issue becomes framed as the US vs Israel, dissent from the administration position not allowed.
Related threads
Kerry: Netanyahu Questioned Interim Deal with Iran and Was Wrong
Kerry Reminds Congress Netanyahu Lobbied for Iraq War (Video at link)
Benjamin Netanyahu to speak on Iran before Congress, while John Kerry sorts out nuke deal overseas
I would NOT be surprised to find that Israel’s intelligence gathering is better than our own since odumbo has come on board. Infact, I would trust the Israeli’s more than our own.
Odumbo is hell bent of reducing America’s strength in todays and tomorrows world, he has already done that with our military’s power. His next step is to increase weaker countries military strengths to be equal or better than our own. BIBI knows what odumbo is up to and wants everyone else to hear it.
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