Israel not on U.S. list of 63 countries eligible to compete for billions in Iraqi reconstruction

Haaretz News Ticker ^ | 12/10/2003

[yonif]

Israel not on U.S. list of 63 countries eligible to compete for $18.6 billion in Iraqi reconstruction contracts

[NYC GOP Chick]

See what I wrote in #9. That is what I am sure is happening. I remember the US telling schools to change textbooks to remove Saddam and his glorification, etc. But are they checking the books for maps that don't show Israel on the map? Chapters which call for killing Jews, Israel, and Christians?

Not if our vaunted Statist Dept. is involved!

[FreeReporting]

Not really banning Jews is it? American Jews I suppose are allowed to participate.

Is there anything in these Apartheid laws that prevent American Jews from employing Israelis in their enterprises in Iraq?

[Alouette]

Would be local political suicide for the civilizing and rebuilding effort.

Interesting choice of words.

How do we expect them to become "civilized" if we continue to pander to the mindset that makes them into savages and barbarians?

I think some "sensitivity training" and "diversity seminars" are called for.

[SJackson]

Not really banning Jews is it? American Jews I suppose are allowed to participate.

What would give you that idea?

There have been many indications that Jews (not Israelis) won't be allowed to do business or own property in the country. Imams have issued fatwas proscribing the death penalty to Iraqis doing business with Jews. There have been incidents reported anecdotally indicating that it's not uncommon for our troops to be asked if they're Jews before engaging in conversation.

Iraqis wrestle with Jewish factor

[SJackson]

If the US can avoid an Islamic government...Do you think that is realistic?

As long as we keep a substantial troop presence there it is, beyond that it depends on the strength of the Iraqi Army/Police we train. Any pro-US Iraq won't be much different that Israel, facing the export of terror from three sides. Unless the US confronts the sources of terror in the region, of course, but that isn't happening.

[smpc]

Any pro-US Iraq won't be much different that Israel

You're optimistic!Worst case scenario i see will be a version of Iran but under the thumb,best case will be another Turkey.I tend to think it will fall somewhere in between.I dont see it comparing to Israel,not until 20-30 years of high quality education anyway.

[graycamel]

That's two in two days! Bush's snub at Taiwan was the first. One more and I'm sending money to the Dean for President campaign.

[SJackson]

My comparison to Israel was with reference to the terrorist threat.

I'd agree Turkey would be a good best case model, probably achievable. If that comes to pass, imo Iraq will face ongoing terror attacks from the Iranian and Saudi borders, and likely Syria.

[ravingnutter]

The question is, how does banning Jews from helping in what the US wants to do going to achieve the aim of the administration, if the population continues to hate Jews and Christians, as well, looking at them as inferior people and who they must murder?

First of all, cultural logic should tell you that Israel's involvement would only incite the Iraqis in an already volatile situation. As far as the textbooks go, for now they removed "any content considered 'controversial', including the 1991 Gulf War; the Iran-Iraq war; and all references to Israelis, Americans, or Kurds". According to this story, "until curricula can be properly revised - which could take years - it will largely be up to individual teachers to decide either to ignore many historical events or to make their own judgments about what and how students will learn about their past". In other words, they did what they could in the time that they had and plan more revisions future textbooks as they are produced. Sounds reasonable to me.

[Prodigal Son]

Sure, Iraqis hate Jews. But if Bush has any intention of making them tolerant of others, he must allow others that once were hated to interact with the population in some way. What is the point of rebuilding a country if the same hate is there?

I agree. If the Israeli firms themselves are willing to take the risk more power to 'em. Jackie Robinson had to overcome similar attitudes and we are all the better for it today.

[adam_az]

I thought the actual wording from Wolfowitz said that only those nations that provided troops to the coalition would be eligible for the 26 contracts. Israel didn't provide troops (at least not that they admit to), so, no contract. I don't see this as anti-Israel in any way, it's just the terms of the deal.

The US made heavy use of Israeli ports, and the war it's self put the average Israeli at far greater peril than even al Qaeda has put the average US citizen in so far. Also, Israel contributed a great deal of intelligence, a lot of it likely humint. Never mind that Iraq attacked Israel with missiles during gulf war I.

[Salem]

"If the US can avoid an Islamic government, that will be an accomplishment..."

I dunno, partner, from what I have been reading from different sources the U.S. planners seem resigned to some sort of Islamic "democracy" in the future. An oxymoron, to be sure, and not something to inspire a lot of cheery hope.

[Salem]

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[DannyTN]

"Sure, Iraqis hate Jews. But if Bush has any intention of making them tolerant of others, he must allow others that once were hated to interact with the population in some way. What is the point of rebuilding a country if the same hate is there? "

Agreed, but now is not the time.

One, if the rationale for excluding Germany and France is that only participating members of the coalition get to bid, Bush can't include Israel or he's playing favorites.

Second, it would be better if the US leans on Iraq's new council to accept bids from Israel, rather than the US awarding contracts to Israel. That's just going to play into the extremists hands.

Third, does Israel really want to go in there and draw the terrorist fire? I mean, our troops might appreciate it, but you might as well paint a target on your back with the words, "Hey Al Quaida! Suicide this!!!". A courageous thought but not too bright.

[xzins]

I would not expect the US to have Israel on a major contractors list for reconstruction of Iraq.

Sub-contracts, however, are fair game if sources can remain undisclosed.

[DannyTN]

There must be other ways we can interact Jews with Iraqi's without it being "contract" related. Goodwill things, like medical assistance, sports, etc.

I would say singing Christmas carols but that's wrong on so many counts. lol

[Terabitten]

The US made heavy use of Israeli ports, and the war it's self put the average Israeli at far greater peril than even al Qaeda has put the average US citizen in so far. Also, Israel contributed a great deal of intelligence, a lot of it likely humint. Never mind that Iraq attacked Israel with missiles during gulf war I.

I agree entirely. We did use Israeli ports. Israel was under direct threat. I'm sure we used Israeli humint. Although all of that is true, it's beside the point, because overall support wasn't the condition used, IIRC. The condition was that any country who had deployed troops to the Iraqi theater could bid. To the best of my knowledge, Israel committed no troops. They did support us every other way they could, but they didn't put soldiers on the ground. Therefore, no contracts.

Not trying to be confrontational, but it just seems pretty straightforward to me.

[ShandaLear]

Oh yes, that would be a brilliant move the have Israelis in Iraq building stuff.

[yonif]

One, if the rationale for excluding Germany and France is that only participating members of the coalition get to bid, Bush can't include Israel or he's playing favorites.

Israel was part of the coalition. Intelligence help mainly, not troops.

Second, it would be better if the US leans on Iraq's new council to accept bids from Israel, rather than the US awarding contracts to Israel. That's just going to play into the extremists hands.

The US should be creating a council which does not include Jew-Haters or those who no longer hate Jews. After we got rid of the Nazi regime, we didn't let the transitional body it go its way with changing its ways about Jews. We told them what to think and to stop supporting policies against Jews, Gepsies, Gays etc. There is no middle ground. The US is who should be dictating what the policies are, and by just going along with their Jew hatred, it will invite more due to weakness.

Third, does Israel really want to go in there and draw the terrorist fire? I mean, our troops might appreciate it, but you might as well paint a target on your back with the words, "Hey Al Quaida! Suicide this!!!". A courageous thought but not too bright.

The US is there and is drawing terrorist fire as well. Does it mean it plans on backing away because of it? The US has said it stick to principle and not capitulate in front of terror or else more terror will be inevitable and the terrorists will see they are winning. So why capitulate in front of their society norms of hating Jews?