Israel Expresses Dismay at Cutback of U.S. Aid to Egypt by Isabel Kershner

"... one Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the delicate diplomacy involved, warned that the implications of punitive cuts in Egypt’s aid could go far beyond the issue of Israeli-Egyptian relations. The United States is playing with fire, he said. “You cannot disassemble the peace treaty and take out this part or that part,” the official said. “But there are other elements in this conundrum. This is not just about Israel. This is about America’s standing in the Arab world.” Noting that military aid is not just about tank shipments but also a sign of presence and commitment, he added: “If America is seen to be turning its back on Egypt, an old ally, how will it be seen? People will see it as the United States dropping a friend.” Asked about American aid to Egypt, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said he would speak only “in general terms,” but made it clear that any withdrawal of aid was a concern."  Kershner in the NY Times

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Well, there you have it.  It's our money but the Israelis are quite willing to tell us what, where and when we can give it away and/or spend it.  pl

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/10/world/middleeast/israel-us-egypt.html?_r=0

 

 

 

Comments

[Matthew]

Col: MJ Rosenberg likes to quote an old boss at AIPAC as saying that lobbying groups are nightflowers that wilt in the sun. The more our citizens become educated on Israeli attitudes about our proper (subserviant) role, the less Americans will like it.

Netanyahu's charm, like the nightflower, wilts under close scrutiny.

[turcopolier]

Matthew

That is why I do this. I like the goats. They represent the American people. pl

[Charles I]

It is staggering how much abuse they can dole out without a peep from the government, never mind the hoi polloi. Israel counseling about standing in the Arab world strikes one as a convicted rapist advising on jury selection.

[J]

Colonel,

The Israeli governmental temerity towards U.S. is galling in so many spheres.

Did you see their latest from their departing Ambassador to the U.S. Ambassador Michael Oren (Bornstein before he changed his name) and his Israeli governmental tears and wailing that his maggot Israeli Espionage Agent Pollard was not able to leave our U.S. prisons with his Oren-ship as he departs back to Israel.
http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Oren-Leaving-DC-without-Pollard-would-hurt-320869

[Babak Makkinejad]

Not goats; rather sheep:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/998321.A_Nation_Of_Sheep

[Babak Makkinejad]

Col. Lang:

I found this rich: "“You cannot disassemble the peace treaty and take out this part or that part,” the official said." - part of that Peace Treaty was a better deal for Palestinians and not what they have now.

[J Story]

If the US no longer has any strategic interest in the Middle East, then its present actions probably make good sense. Walking away from the peace treaty that it negotiated with Egypt and Israel may well be a sound decision.

It does seem to me, however, that there will be some inevitable degree of loss of confidence in the international community that the US is a dependable ally (or a resolute adversary). However, it may be that the Obama administration, having weighed all the pros and cons, has decided that walking away from the Middle East is ultimately the best way to secure US interests. It will be interesting to see the results of this change in policy.

[turcopolier]

J Story

"there will be some inevitable degree of loss of confidence in the international community that the US is a dependable ally (or a resolute adversary)" So what? Who is it that we need to resolutely oppose? pl

[elkern]

"Netantyahu's charm" ohohoh, ahahaha, ohhh, that hurt.

[elkern]

US aid to Egypt is important to Israel for an interseting secondary reason. The primary reason is of course that Egypt has behaved like the proverbial "honest politician": they've stayed bought (haven't attacked Israel since 1979, and have cooperated on Gaza).

The secondary reason is that our aid to Egypt is similar in magnitude to our yearly tribute to Israel, and both dwarf Foreign Aid to any other countries (except maybe Jordan?). Any sharp reduction in US aid to Egypt will strip away the fig-leaf of even-handedness in our aid policy.

Foreign aid is a convenient target for budget-cutters, often based on absurd ideas of the money involved. Israel wants that hate directed at Egypt, not itself.

[Eliot]

I think power compels respect. Other capitals may find us unreliable, but its difficult to ignore our power. You have to assume that we will act to protect our interests. To do otherwise would be foolish.

[F5F5F5]

Won't the Shutdown result in a big Cutdown anyway?

Isn't it a great opportunity to see how many of these federal employees need to return to their jobs and keep it over the next couple years, including diplomatic, defense, law enforcement, and airport security?

And also to re-assess foreign aid budgets, which offers great leverage over their recipients. For some it's been all carrot and no stick. The perspective of no or less carrot may be as good as some stick.

I may be a cynic, but there's always opportunity in every crisis.

But then it may just not work that way.

[Charles I]

If you ever get the chance, get up close to Picasso's bronze goat, a real beauty.

[Peter Brownlee]

"So what?" is always a splendid question to ask about virtually everything -- I am considering it for my epitaph...

[Bandolero]

What I find most interesting in US aid to Egypt, is that both, the US public and the Egypt public, seem in their majority to be against it.

Poll: Majority wants Obama to end Egypt aid

http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/middle-east-north-africa/317733-poll-majority-of-americans-want-us-to-cut-off-aid-to-egypt

"There was a Gallup poll in Egypt last year, and 70 percent of Egyptians don't want our money."

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2013/jul/11/rand-paul/rand-paul-says-gallup-poll-found-70-percent-egypti/

[confusedponderer]

"I think power compels respect. Other capitals may find us unreliable, but its difficult to ignore our power."

Prudence compels respect also.