Israelis reject US loan 'threat'

[bemildred]

Israeli officials have shrugged off a suggestion that the US could withhold loan guarantees to pressure Israel over the Middle East peace process.

The finance minister said Israel did not need the guarantees, while the prime minister accused the Palestinians of holding up peace negotiations.

US envoy George Mitchell said this week the US could withhold loan guarantees to extract concessions from Israel.

The guarantees allow Israel to raise money cheaply overseas.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8450715.stm

:popcorn:

The thing to watch for here is whether Mr Mitchell is or is not in trouble for verbalizing about this possibiilty.

[fascisthunter]

1. that's What Happens When Fanatics are in Power

their egos are just way to big for their little heads.

[leveymg]

2. Okay. If that doesn't sway them, just close the Discount Window at the NY Fed to Israeli banks.

That will get their attention. No more borrowing from the Federal Reserve system at reduced interest rates. Buy your own movie tickets and pay for your own gas, you little brat.

[bridgit]

3. "the prime minister accused the Palestinians of holding up peace negotiations" maybe time for Israel

to start fighting her own wars http://www.haaretz.com

[azurnoir]

4. Regardless of whether or not Mitchel had "permission" to speak

of such things, the Israeli government has made themselves clear "we don't need your stinkin' guarantees" so I would say alright then you don't

[bemildred]

5. Israel criticises George Mitchell for comments on loan guarantees

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Referring to the possibility of the US withholding loan guarantees, Philip Crowley, the department’s spokesman, told The Times: “It’s one thing to say that’s a tool in the toolbox, and another to say it’s one we are getting ready to use. We are not.”

Mr Mitchell is expected to arrive in Israel within weeks to try to restart peace talks after more than a year of deadlock. The Netanyahu Government has blamed the Palestinians for the deadlock. The Prime Minister has said that he would begin negotiations without preconditions.

Palestinian negotiators have said that a freeze in construction of Israeli settlements is a precondition to their involvement in talks.

Israel’s West Bank settlements are built on land that is earmarked for a future Palestinian state.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6982983.ece