Israeli Minister Eyes Sanctions Against US

Outraged at Prospect of 'More Balanced Approach,' Peled Calls to Intervene in Congressional Races
by Jason Ditz, June 09, 2009

Israeli news outlets are reporting the leak of a letter from Israeli cabinet minister Yossi Peled to the rest of the nation’s cabinet, cautioning that the Obama Administration was going to adopt “a more balanced approach to Israel, including intensive pressure to stop building in settlements, remove outposts and advance the formation of a Palestinian state.”

It’s hardly earth-shattering in that respect, the administration has been publicly urging Israel to accept exactly that for weeks now. What is noteworthy is Minister Peled’s proposed strategies to combat this, including sanctions against the United States.

In particular, Israel would begin shifting military purchases, the bulk of which come from the US, to other nations, and offering influence to other nations willing to get involved in the peace process in a way more in keeping with Israeli interests. Incredibly enough, Peled, a member of the ruling Likud Party, also proposes political actions which seem to amount to an attempt at regime change in the US.

Peled suggests that the Israeli government become directly involved in next year’s US congressional elections, intervening against Democratic Party candidates in the hopes that the candidates would pressure Obama to adopt a more universally pro-Israel stance.

http://news.antiwar.com/2009/06/09/israeli-minister-eyes-sanctions-against-us/

and....

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.

Peled called for the formation of a new body intended to influence American public opinion. The groups he suggests courting include Hispanic Americans and Labor unions in industries that benefit from Israeli military acquisitions.

A former OC Northern Command, Peled is considered part of the left flank of the Likud that includes ministers Dan Meridor and Michael Eitan. Unlike Environment Minister Gilad Erdan, he does not have a history of openly criticizing American policies and unlike Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, he does not have personal ties to the Republican Party.

Peled told the Post on Monday that he still hoped common ground could be found with the Obama administration, but just in case that did not happen, Israel must be ready.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244371046569&pagename=JPArticle/ShowFull

AIPAC already has more influence than it should. I hope J Street counters them.

How much do we give them each year?

Thats interesting when you consider that US aid amounts to about 70% of their GDP.

U.S. is currently about 2.7 Billion (600 million economic and 2.1 billion military). Israel GNP is 185 billion.

we send them so regularly.

I don't think this is too persuasive.

We pay and they act like Nazis to their neighbors. on our dime.

Good luck on finding another arms producer they haven't already pissed off.

Let's see who needs whom.