Greater U.S. military aid should assist Israel's 'tough' peace talks decisions, official says

[azurnoir]

An expanded security aid package should allow Israel to reach tough decisions in its peace talks with the Palestinians, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Andrew J. Shapiro said Friday, adding that Washington planned to provide Israel with its most extensive security aid package in history.

Speaking at the Brookings Saban Center for Middle East Policy in Washington D.C., the assistant secretary spoke of the administration's intention to enhance the annual security aid it provides Israel, saying that in "2010, the administration requested $2.775 billion in security assistance funding specifically for Israel, the largest such request in U.S. history."

Shapiro linked the expanded aid package with the possibility of furthering peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, saying that it was the "hope that the administration’s expanded commitment to Israel’s security will advance the process by helping the Israeli people seize this opportunity and take the tough decisions necessary for a comprehensive peace."

<snip>

The Washington Post also cited Anthony H. Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies as saying that an agreement signed toward the end of the Bush administration meant that almost a quarter of Israel's actual defense expenditures came from the United States.

Again referring to the possible affect such military support could have on future peace talks with the PA, Shapiro said that "bolstering Israel’s security against the rocket threat will not by itself facilitate a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/greater-u-s-military-aid-should-assist-israel-s-tough-peace-talks-decisions-official-says-1.302374

[whosinpower]

1. I do not understand this at all

Israel cannot currently take tough decisions regarding comprehensive peace....because they don't have enough weapons?!?

[Chulanowa]

5. Depends on how you think "comprehensive peace" should be achieved

We have at least one DU poster who thinks it can be achieved by the forced sterilization of Arab women. I imagine that there are plenty of Israelis who are certain more guns and more bombs will certainly grant the means to a "comprehensive peace" by that sort of standard.

[Ken Burch]

2. The "Saban" Center?

Brookings has a center endowed by the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers guys?

[Dick Dastardly]

6. Heavens to murgatroids, who'd a thunk it. ,,,,,Hey, My good homie

Muttley is looking to endow the Muttley Dastardly center, maybe he should check it out. I do think the Dastardly Muttley center sounds better than Muttley Dastardly but its his moolah. This is what he thought of my name suggestion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj3DBcpfMNQ&feature=related

His band Muttley Crue could do many benefits there.

[notadmblnd]

3. If they can no longer fight their battles, then maybe they should stop fighting?

The US fighting two senseless wars is enough.

[Tripmann]

4. In other words.

Phase 1 - us gives more cash

Phase 2 - more settlement construction and opression, but no genuine peace effort from israel

Phase 3 - refer to phase 1


By all means give to israel for GUARANTEE of moves towards justice for palestine and its people

Just make sure all parties sign