US refuses to sell planes to Israel, fearing strike on Iran

[MikeWB]

Admiral Mullen and Defense Secretary Gates seem to have won this round.

US refuses to sell planes to Israel, fearing strike on Iran
Aug. 20, 2008
JPost.com Staff , THE JERUSALEM POST
The United States has refused to sell Israel planes out of concern that it might be seen as encouraging an Israeli attack on Iran, Channel 10 reported on Wednesday evening.

During his most recent visit to the US earlier this month, Defense Minister Ehud Barak requested that America sell the IAF several Boeing 767 refueling planes. However, the White House refused, as it was not prepared to seem as though it was aiding a potential attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, the report, which could not be confirmed by The Jerusalem Post, stated.

The IAF has a great need of the planes, as the ones currently used by the air force are extremely old.

Last week, Barak told Army Radio that the US had made it clear it was opposed at the present time to military action against Teheran.

However, he would not relate to a press report at the time that Washington had denied Israel advanced weaponry and intelligence information for fear Jerusalem was on the verge of an attack.

"The US's position at the present time is that they don't see an action against Iran as the right thing to do," Barak said then. "Our position, and formally their position as well, is that no options should be taken off the table. When we say that, we mean it."

Following the report last week, a US State Department spokesman would not comment on what messages the US had given Israel regarding a possible strike on Iran, because they were part of confidential discussions.

He did stress, though, that "the US is committed to Israel's security" and that "the US would defend Israel from any attack from Iran."

This article can also be read at http://www.jpost.com /servlet/Satellite?cid=1219218601145&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[Ognir]

No problem there Mike

Change the words from "US refuses to sell planes to Israel" to "US gives planes to Israel"

Problem solved

[mastermg]

Funny how Israel claims to have really old planes. Thats probably a lie.

[Travis]

Funny how Israel claims to have really old planes.