Report `Massive` Positioning Of U.S. Military Equipment in Israel

MENL /The Jewish Press ^ | 09-11-02

[veronica]

Israel is bracing for what defense sources termed a massive pre-positioning of U.S. military equipment in the Jewish state as part of preparations for any Washington-led war against Iraq.

The sources said the U.S. Army plans to bring such systems as PAC-2 anti-missile and anti-aircraft batteries, ammunition, military systems and logistical supplies. They said the equipment would begin arriving in Israel by air and sea over the next week.

The U.S. equipment would be stored in unspecified army and air force bases, the sources said. More than 50 U.S. Army personnel have arrived in Israel to arrange for the delivery and stockpiling of the equipment.

The U.S. move is part of the strategic cooperation between Jerusalem and Washington and bolsters existing U.S. military stockpiles in Israel, the sources said. They said that over the last few months the United States has moved equipment from Israel to other areas of the Middle East.

“There is an agreement for preplacement of military equipment between the two countries and it could be that the United States is exercising this accord,” former Israeli ambassador to Washington, Zalman Shoval, said.

[In a related development, the London-based A-Sharq Al Awsat daily reported on Tuesday that Iraq has ordered a withdrawal of its troops from Kurdish areas of northern Iraq. The Saudi-owned daily said the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is concerned that Iraqi troops could defect to Kurdistan on the eve of any U.S.-led attack on Baghdad.]

An Israeli Defense Ministry statement said no formal request has come from the Bush administration to stockpile weapons and ammunition in Israel in advance of a possible U.S. strike against Iraq. But the statement appeared to confirm reports that U.S. weaponry is arriving.

“In light of the special relations between Israel and the United States, any request that will be relayed will be given a substantive discussion in the suitable frameworks,” the ministry said.

On Monday, the Tel Aviv-based Maariv daily quoted from an Israeli Defense Ministry document that reported the imminent arrival of the U.S. military equipment. The document reported approval for the U.S. transfer of the prepositioned weapons and systems by Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer.

“The quantities of arms which have already been shipped to Israel are enormous because Israel is the only country in which we have such confidence,” the newspaper quoted a U.S. officer as saying.

Israel’s ambassador to Washington Danny Ayalon said the government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has relayed a list of requests to the United States concerning any attack on Baghdad. Ayalon said a key request is for advanced warning sufficient to allow Israel to prepare for any Iraqi counterstrike on the Jewish state. (MENL)

[Lunatic Fringe]

We can always count on Israel. =)

You can't lose with God on your side.

[2right]

"[In a related development, the London-based A-Sharq Al Awsat daily reported on Tuesday that Iraq has ordered a withdrawal of its troops from Kurdish areas of northern Iraq. The Saudi-owned daily said the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is concerned that Iraqi troops could defect to Kurdistan on the eve of any U.S.-led attack on Baghdad.] "

Saddam should confiscate his soldiers underwear while he is at it so they have nothing to surrender with.

[July 4th]

It's very nice to have friends in the world. I feel more secure shipping mass amounts of military equipment to Israel than I would shipping that same equipment to Canada. They're like the uncle no one talks about in the Anglo world.

Nazuzim!

[crypt2k]

Implying that a Jordanian corrider is open.

[Naspino]

I was told while in Israel that its against the law for foreign troops to assist Israel on their turf; that even in the Gulf War when the Patriot systems were put into place they were operated by Israelis with "training" from US personnel -- at least thats how they got around the law. So I would not expect that equipment to be used in defense of Israel -- passage would be OK though.

[jlogajan]

If Iraq has WMD, they will be fired at Israel. So Israel should be a pre-prep site, but not a launch point.

[gura]

>“There is an agreement for preplacement of military equipment between the two countries and it could be that the United States is exercising this accord,” former Israeli ambassador to Washington, Zalman Shoval, said.<

Israel to invade Canada? Mexico? Let me know when the Merkavas start showing up.

-Scott in KC

[uncbob]

I am holding out hope that the Iraqi military not wanting a THOROUGH ass whipping ( no pulling punches this time ) will take care of Saddam

[Isle of sanity in CA]

Saddam should confiscate his soldiers underwear while he is at it so they have nothing to surrender with.

ROTFLMAO!! During Desert Shield (before D Storm)he tried improving morale by passing out autographed pictures of himself.. Didn't seem to work ;-)

[El Sordo]

You never know.

ANALYSIS-Jordan seen likely to back U.S. campaign in Iraq - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/741823/posts

45,000 American troops to be transported to Kuwait and Jordan next week - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/746330/posts

[Robert_Paulson2]

It is STILL a good possibility.

and if Iraq goes on its own, Iran could "reform" overnight... literally.

[justsomedude]

Man, O, Man!!! Is my president going back to back with Israel? I am proud of him. The dog that lived in his house before him would never do that.

[oceanperch]

Is this true?

[power2]

We can always count on Israel. =)

You can't lose with God on your side.

I agree that we can we generally have been able to count on Israel, certainly far more so than any arab states. However, I think I would be cautious to say that God is always going to be on the side of Israel. If I remember my history and the Old Testament right, God was with Israel and the Jews as long as Israel and the Jews were with God. I think there were instances where God basically allowed "outsiders" to "rape and pillage" Israel when the Jews failed to follow His will in the OT.

Correction to my thoughts, anyone?

[ET(end tyranny)]

[In a related development, the London-based A-Sharq Al Awsat daily reported on Tuesday that Iraq has ordered a withdrawal of its troops from Kurdish areas of northern Iraq. The Saudi-owned daily said the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is concerned that Iraqi troops could defect to Kurdistan on the eve of any U.S.-led attack on Baghdad.]

LOL He's already worried about defectors!!

[Lunatic Fringe]

You are correct.

[DBtoo]

Now that is a worrisome thought. I wonder if the Israeli Jews are in general following God's will. I read recently that the majority of Jews in Israel these days are not religious, and as a result there is a movement to try to bring the people back to God. I hope that is wrong though. Or I hope they come back to their traditional ways real soon before it is too late.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Remember the book of Revelation- Israel will be deceived right along with the rest of the world.

[DBtoo]

Are you talking about the anti-christ?