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In fact, 20 F-35s (America's most advanced fighter jet) will be added to an existing Israeli order under a $2.75 billion contract. On November 10, Haaretz's Amos Harel called a deal too good to refuse, along with:
"other gifts the US administration is willing to offer to Israel in exchange for three months of construction freeze in the settlements...."
It makes Harel think "someone has gone mad." Nonetheless, a "political and ideological headache for Netanyahu" may be too enticing to turn down. He suspects "much broader and substantive issues" are involved, including on the Iranian question.
According to an unnamed senior Israeli defense source, "The Americans have put forth an excellent proposal," a gift. "It will be a big mistake not to take it....If we do not implement this deal, we will suffer in terms of defense." Israeli weapons, in fact, are for offense, not defense. No nation anywhere threatens it. Claiming so is duplicitous fear-mongering, the last refuge of belligerents.
Reportedly, Israel also took delivery of the first batch of 1,000 new US 250-pound GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs), F-15s, F-16s, and F-35s able to carry them. They're extremely powerful, able to penetrate eight feet of concrete, an ideal weapon against underground targets.
Waiting for Netanyahu
On November 10, Haaretz headlined, " Netanyahu awaiting written offer from Obama on settlement freeze," saying:
Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said "We still do not have a final proposal in writing that can be discussed in depth." Netanyahu's communications advisor, Nir Nefetz, said he and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reached "understandings on the matter," but formulating a written proposal will take time.
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