By Barak Ravid and Aluf Benn, Haaretz
The Bush administration violated security related agreements with Israel in which the U.S. promised to preserve the IDF’s qualitative edge over Arab armies, according to senior officials in the Obama administration and Israel.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak traveled to the U.S. in September for a rushed meeting in which it was agreed that the two allies would discuss how to resolve the problems regarding this issue.
U.S. National Security Adviser General James Jones is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Tuesday for what is likely to be talks on the issue of the IDF’s qualitative edge.
Senior sources in the current U.S. administration, and senior officials at the foreign and defense ministries in Israel, have suggested that during the last year of the Bush administration the U.S. sold advanced military equipment to moderate Arab states – Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
The Americans justified the arms sales with the need to bolster these countries against the perceived threat posed by Iran.
The arms transfers that were particularly disturbing for Israel were of advanced air and naval systems. For example, the U.S. sold Saudi Arabia advanced F-15 fighter-bombers, similar to the ones it sold Israel. According to Israeli assessments, following the U.S. sales to the Saudi kingdom, the Saudi Air Force is currently in possession of 200-250 aircraft of this type.
In addition, the U.S. sold Saudi Arabia and other Arab states satellite-guided and laser-guided “smart bombs” for their fighter aircraft, as well as advanced anti-ship missiles and electronic suites for aircraft, all similar to the equipment in the IDF.
Toward the end of the Bush term in office, the defense establishment recommended to the political leadership to raise the issue with the incoming U.S. administration.
Defense establishment officials warned that the U.S. is arming countries in the moderate Arab camp in “a way that erodes the qualitative edge of the IDF, especially in the air.”
According to the weekly Jewish publication Forward, as a result of Israeli concerns the Obama administration intends to make changes to deals that the Bush administration signed with Arab states and are currently being implemented.
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Actually the further left the more crazy the policies, the right has made the real mistakes.
Take israel for instance, almost every single big mistake has been made by the “right-wing governments”, Sharon (gush katif), Begin (sinai), etc. (there are a few exceptions like Rabin (Oslo accords) etc.
true, bush did what he did,wich is unforgivable, but obama isnt any better! he’s an arab and grew up with the rest of them. hese with THEM!
dont forget what the rebbe said… that this is G-D’s land given to us- his nation…. we cant loose!
I personally know someone who signed an arms contract on behalf of the U.S.A. with Arafat himself.
Those in the know were aware of this over a year ago. Netanyahu and gang. Why would this suddenly emerge now? When Obama’s ratings are at record lows, and Democrats are on the brink of losing all the elderly liberal Jews (especially with the serious situation with Ted K’s Mass senate seat.) Now mit a moll Obama is going to be the Jewish defender. (He and Carter are in competition here.) Rule #1 with politicians: The further to the left, the more the sheker. One has to suspect (read the information carefully) that this is another Obama lie (are there… Read more »
this again underscroes that even – what we think are – the best of goyim, don’t love the jewish people. can you imagine what obama would do? “ein lonu le’hishoain allo aal avinu she’bashomayim.” the Rebbe allegedly once told A. Shemtov about Nixon [paraphrased] “a president better for the yidden we will never have”. Bush iz duch a zun fun der ershter Bush and a yoresh of Baker.
so where are all the people that claim obama hates israel etc.?
with all his rhetoric, obama has done nothing to harm the jewish state.
bush has!
why did he do that?!?!?! hashem yishmor!!
aaawwwcccchhh!!!!!!
Israel cannot trust anyone but Hashem!