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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Benjamin Netanyahu snubs US nuclear conference |
| 2010-04-09 |
| Israeli officials said Benjamin Netanyahu decided to send a minister in his place after reports that Muslim nations in the Middle East would single out Israel's undeclared nuclear programme for criticism. The White House tried to downplay the cancellation, but will be privately furious at a very public snub by Mr Netanyahu, who may have been looking for such an opportunity after a recent tete-a-tete with Mr Obama behind closed doors in Washington. Mr Netanyahu returned home from those talks to a tide of derision in the Israeli press, with a showdown over Jewish settlement construction in East Jerusalem unresolved and relations between the two allies descending into open hostility. Mike Hammer, the White House National Security Council spokesman, simply said the Israeli government "has informed us" of the decision to send Dan Meridor, a deputy prime minister and the intelligence and atomic energy minister, to the nuclear security summit of 47 nations convened by Mr Obama. "We welcome Deputy Prime Minister Meridor's participation in the conference. Israel is a close ally and we look forward to continuing to work closely on issues related to nuclear security," he said. Egypt and Turkey were believed to be the states contemplating an attempt to shame Israel, though the chances of them doing so as guests of Mr Obama were remote. Muslim nations including Egypt, which has a peace treaty with Israel have often complained about Israel's nuclear programme. The Jewish state has not admitted to possessing nuclear weapons, preferring a policy it calls "ambiguity." International experts have estimated that Israel has dozens, possibly hundreds, of nuclear bombs. Ahead of the conference, the White House announced a major shift in US nuclear policy to focus on the threat of nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorists and rogue regimes rather than on the long-running arms race with Russia. The summit will not focus on individual nations, but the nuclear programmes of Iran and North Korea, as well as possible new UN sanctions against Tehran, are expected to come up. Both countries are excluded from the meeting, where Mr Obama hopes to reach a draft agreement on how to make the world's fissile materials safe within four years. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #15 Between a former Sayeret officer and Mr Arugula? Some serious pay-per-view action there. I'd pay to see it. Coming next week, the big Netanyahu vs Almondinejihad bout! And yes, that is an embarrassing pic. But very Chicago. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2010-04-09 19:40 |
| #14 So, what are the rules when one Head of State kills another Head of State? I mean everyone there has Diplomatic Immunity...right? Netanyahu could have just ruptured his diaphragm or something and done the world a favor. On a side note, I cannot wait to read some of the "Tell All's" by members of Obama's SS detail. I bet it makes for some mighty interesting stories. |
| Posted by: Secret Asian Man 2010-04-09 16:48 |
| #13 Mike Hammer, the White House National Security Council spokesman... Does he have a secretary named Velma? |
| Posted by: mojo 2010-04-09 16:43 |
| #12 Benny probably knows 15 ways to neutralize Barry O at that distance without unbuttoning his jacket. |
| Posted by: Jefferson 2010-04-09 16:34 |
| #11 I guess sometimes it takes the bigger man to restrain himself. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2010-04-09 16:15 |
| #10 I'm surprised it didn't result in a fist fight. Between a former Sayeret officer and Mr Arugula? |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2010-04-09 15:47 |
| #9 It's a slim hope on the mooselims part, but they're hoping Barry Hussein will pressure Israel into giving up their nukes, since they know that Barry will NEVER support Israel if they attack. Course there's as much chance of that happening as Barry admitting he's not a US Citizen. |
| Posted by: Silentbrick 2010-04-09 14:50 |
| #8 If Netanyahu is perturbed he is cool about it--doesn't seem to bother him so you can tell. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2010-04-09 14:14 |
| #7 16 to 18 inches is my gentlemanly rule of thumb. Anything closer, well..... Absolutely sickening. Add my name to the apolgize to IS list. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2010-04-09 13:19 |
| #6 Drudge has this picture online this morning of Netanyahu and Obama. Look at that overbearing, alpha-dog, hyper-aggressive posture that Obama exhibits. I'm surprised it didn't result in a fist fight. This is the way my president treats our allies? I apologize to the people of Israel. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2010-04-09 13:06 |
| #5 There was also a report It was posted here yesterday, DoDo, among other sites. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2010-04-09 12:11 |
| #4 It's not likely anything good was going to come out of this summit for Israel anyway so why should Netanyahu waste his time? He's got better things to do like planning to nuke Iran. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2010-04-09 11:59 |
| #3 There was also a report that the Obama administration is now denying U.S. visas to Israeli scientists who work at that nationÂ’s Dimona nuclear reactor. Israel and Netanyahu are being backed into a corner. |
| Posted by: DoDo 2010-04-09 11:13 |
| #2 Egypt and Turkey were believed to be the states contemplating an attempt to shame Israel, though the chances of them doing so as guests of Mr Obama were remote. NO VACANCY in the "shaming" tent. Barry and the MSM have it fully booked. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2010-04-09 07:57 |
| #1 Zimerica is insulted? |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2010-04-09 05:26 |