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Trump discussed 'Mutual Defense Treaty' with Netanyahu
[Jpost] It wasn’t akin to the US recognizing Israel’s illusory sovereignty over the Golan Heights, but on Saturday US President Trump extended an election gesture to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he tweeted that he would meet the prime minister later this month and discuss an Israel-US security pact."I had a call today with Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss the possibility of moving forward with a Mutual Defense Treaty, between the United States and Israel, that would further anchor the tremendous alliance between our two countries," Trump tweeted. "I look forward to continuing those discussions after the Israeli Elections when we meet at the United Nations ...aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society... later this month!" Netanyahu responded by tweeting back to Trump: "Thank you my dear friend President @realDonaldTrump. The Jewish State has never had a greater friend in the White House." Netanyahu, depending on the outcome of Tuesday election, is expected to attend the UN General Assembly ‐ which Trump will also attend ‐ that begins one week later on September 24. Last March, some two weeks before the April 9 election, Trump recognized Israel’s control over the Golan Heights in a move that was widely seen as being timed to boost Netanyahu at the polls. While the idea of a US-Israel defense pact has been discussed on and off for several decades, it has re-emerged in recent months. Sen. Lindsey Graham  ...soft-spoken senator from South Carolina, former best buddy of John MaverickMcCain. Since McCain's demise, Graham has become more outspoken, more Republican and more of a supporter of President Trump. The speech he gave in support of Brett Kavanaugh was downright manly and really cheesed off the Dems... (R-South Carolina) broached the proposal in June at a dinner hosted by the Endowment for Middle East Truth, saying he wanted Israel to be added to the list of countries with which the US has treaty obligations. "I think it is important to send a signal in the 21st century: If you are intending to destroy Israel, you have to go through us, and it will not turn out well for you," he said. Graham discussed the idea of a treaty when he was in Israel in July. Politically, this is something that could benefit both Netanyahu and Trump in their upcoming electoral battles: Netanyahu in securing a another diplomatic gift from a friendly administration, and Trump in giving something to Israel that will go down well with his evangelical base. While some analysts view such a treaty as a significant diplomatic achievement, others say such a pact could limit Israel’s operational freedom. Posted by: trailing wife 2019-09-15 |
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