Obama: Don’t Surprise Me With Iran Strike
U.S. President Barack Obama has sent a message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding that Israel not surprise the U.S. with an Israeli military operation against Iran. The message was conveyed by a senior American official who met in Israel with Netanyahu, ministers and other senior officials. Earlier, Netanyahu’s envoy visited Washington and met with National Security Adviser James Jones and with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and discussed the dialogue Obama has initiated with Tehran.
The message from the American envoy to the prime minister reveals U.S. concern that Israel could lose patience and act against Iran. It is important to the Americans that they not be caught off guard and find themselves facing facts on the ground at the last minute.
Obama did not wait for his White House meeting with Netanyahu, scheduled for next Monday, to deliver his message, but rather sent it ahead of time with his envoy.
via Obama warns Netanyahu: Don’t surprise me with Iran strike – Haaretz – Israel News.
Netanyahu – Israel Will Never Leave The Golan
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a group of Russian-language reporters Thursday that Israel will never withdraw from the Golan Heights.
“Remaining on the Golan will ensure Israel has a strategic advantage in cases of military conflict with Syria,” Netanyahu said during a briefing he gave to the reporters.
His comments were published Friday on several Russian-language Israeli Web sites.
A week-and-a-half before Netanyahu’s scheduled visit to Washington, the prime minister stressed that he is ready to stand up to U.S. President Barack Obama, and would not give up on matters that in his opinion are crucial for Israel’s security.
Netanyahu said he intends to emphasize to Obama the need to deal with Iran and its “nuclear program, which is a major obstacle to peace in the Middle East.
Netanyahu Aides Fear Surprise Demands From Obama
Benjamin Netanyahu’s aides fear that U.S. President Barack Obama will “surprise” the prime minister with unanticipated ideas and demands at the leaders’ upcoming meeting in Washington on May 18.
A political source in Jerusalem said that Netanyahu’s associates have been recently discussing a scenario in which Obama makes unequivocal demands on issues like West Bank settlement construction, illegal outposts and negotiations with the Palestinians.
The aides also fear a public clash between the two premiers, such as during a news conference or in comments the pair make, in which their differences will be aired.
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A number of Netanyahu’s aides are set to head to Washington and Europe next week for meetings with senior White House officials to prepare the ground for the prime minister’s visit.
Netanyahu’s strategic adviser Ron Dermer will meet with senior White House and State Department officials while in the U.S. next week for the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
The source’s comments came after officials in Jerusalem were themselves surprised by a report in the L.A. Times Monday that the Obama administration has asked Congress to amend U.S. law to enable the Palestinian Authority to receive federal aid even if Hamas joins a unity coalition.
