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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Israeli Minister Urges Sanctions Against US

Upset with Obama shift, he also wants to influence elections

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(Newser) – An Israeli cabinet minister has suggested his country stop buying technology from the US and even try to influence US elections because of the Obama administration’s perceived shift on Mideast policy, the Jerusalem Post reports. Yossi Peled, a “minister-without-portfolio,” said “Obama’s ascendance represents a turning point in America's approach to the region” in a letter to PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Israel has its own interests and we have to know what our alternatives are,” Peled wrote. “I don’t think what I suggest is vengeful. I just think that even a superpower must behave like a partner.” The Israeli government said its “goal is to cooperate with the US.” One US Jewish Democratic official said the letter “shows Yossi Peled is terribly uninformed about US politics;” another said that Netanyahu “would reject it as outlandish.”

Israeli Prime Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israeli Prime Benjamin Netanyahu.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama.
President Barack Obama.   (AP Photo)
Thousands of Israelis wave flags during a march celebrating Jerusalem Day.
Thousands of Israelis wave flags during a march celebrating Jerusalem Day.   (AP Photo)
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13 comments
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Fondue
Jun 10, 09 2:35 PM CDT
Dear Mr. Peled, Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign assistance since World War II. From 1976-2004, Israel was the largest annual recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, having recently been supplanted by Iraq. Since 1985, the United States has provided nearly $3 billion in grants annually to Israel. For the most recent action on aid to Israel, see CRS Report RL33476, Israel: Background and Relations with the United States, by Carol Migdalovitz. For information on overall U.S. assistance to the Middle East, see CRS Report RL32260, U.S. Foreign Assistance to the Middle East: Historical Background, Recent Trends, and the FY2008 Request, by Jeremy M. Sharp. Reply
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+9
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Snowleopard
Jun 10, 09 5:46 PM CDT
every isreali gets a per capita average of $500 per year from the US in aid (military and otherwise). Where are the conservatives railing against that spending?
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+4
JonmarkP
Jun 10, 09 3:11 PM CDT
Not a good idea to bite the hand that feeds and feeds and feeds and feeds you, Yossi. You might have to give up your Fascist foreign policy. Reply
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+8
Newser001
Jun 10, 09 3:41 PM CDT
' In what may be his most controversial suggestion, Peled recommends intervening in American congressional races to weaken Obama and asking American Jewish donors not to contribute to Democratic congressional candidates. He predicted that this would result in Democratic candidates pressuring Obama to become more pro-Israel. ' - Beyond belief... Peled is along the lines of a right-wing extremest. Only a fool would conjure such a scheme. Reply
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+5
sammyo41
Jun 10, 09 4:19 PM CDT
Bye Bye Israel, it's been a blast but you're the one having all the fun pushing people around like they belonged to you. All I can say is I have always supported Israel but it comes down to this; F*** O**! sammyo41 Reply
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+1

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