Tag Archive for US

| May 23, 2012
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US Senate mulls unprecedented aid to Israel

Legislators aim to further expand security aid so as to improve Israel’s capabilities vis-à-vis Iran, Defense News weekly reports

 

כלול בחבילה המשופרת. מטוס הקרב F35 (צילום: AFP)

F-35 Joint Strike Fighters included in deal - Photo: AFP

WASHINGTON – The US Senate is currently reviewing the US-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 which passed the House of Representatives earlier this month.

The bill proposes shared satellite intelligence, aerial refueling tankers, specialized munitions and surplus drawdown gear from Iraq.

Iron Dome Photo: Yariv Katz, Yedioth Ahronoth

Iron Dome - Photo: Yariv Katz, Yedioth Ahronoth

A Senate aide said the bill has already amassed nearly 50 co-sponsors and is expected to pass “by a lopsided margin or even unanimous vote” once it reaches the Senate floor, the Defense News weekly reported. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| May 16, 2012
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Shapiro: US Military Ready for Iran Strike – If Needed

US Ambassador tells Israelis that America’s military is not only ready to strike Iran, but has made all the necessary preparations to do so.

US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro said this week his nation’s military is ready to execute “the military option” on Iran’s nuclear program if need be.

Makor Rishon reported that Shapiro, speaking at a meeting of the Israel Bar Association for Tel Aviv and the Central Region, said that not is an American military option available, but that made all necessary preparations to carry it out were complete.

“We do not know if sanctions and diplomacy will work,” Shapiro said of Western efforts to force Tehran to halt its controversial uranium enrichment program. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| May 1, 2012
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IRS ramps up audits of taxpayers in Israel

Accountants warn financial reviews by U.S. authority here are at an all-time high.

 

Americans filing their tax returns from Israel are being audited by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service with a frequency that industry professionals have never seen before, according to several certified public accountants.

While some of the accountants who spoke with Haaretz are not convinced Americans living in Israel are being singled out for audits more than other Americans living abroad, some maintain that the IRS has given indications it will pay more attention to Israel, Hong Kong and Singapore.

All are cautioning filers to take note of a new “vigilance” among U.S. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags:
| April 28, 2012
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US deploys fighter jets to base near Iran

US Air Force deploys several F22s to UAE base, Fox News reports; Officials deny deployment linked to potential Iran strike

 

The United States military has deployed several F-22 fighter jets to an allied base less than 200 miles (320 km) from Iran, Fox News reported Friday.

The F-22, US' best fighter jet Photo: Reuters

The F-22, US' best fighter jet - Photo: Reuters

According to the report, the US Air Force strongly denied ordering the deployment in a show of force against Iran, or that it is in some way related to a potential strike on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities. It claimed the measure is part of routine activity and “security cooperation with regional partners. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| April 22, 2012
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GOP Backing $680M for Iron Dome

Republicans are pushing for a large military aid allotment for Israel’s Iron Dome system due to Obama’s refusal to name a figure.

 

US lawmakers are considering an aid allotment of $680 million to strengthen Israel’s Iron Dome short-range rocket shield.

The move by Republican lawmakers comes in the face of previous attempts by the Obama administration to prune defense aid to Israel.

An Iron Dome launcher fires an interceptor rocket

An Iron Dome launcher fires an interceptor rocket - Photo by Reuters

Senior Republicans Howard McKeon (R-CA) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) criticized Obama for his lack of support of a “vital defense cooperation program.”

The Obama administration earlier announced that an “appropriate” level of funding will be provided for this program, but did not request any specific sum for 2012. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| April 1, 2012
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Obama Intentionally Leaking Israeli Intelligence Information?

Bolton accuses Obama administration of intentionally leaking highly sensitive Israeli intelligence information.

 

Former American ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, accused the Obama administration of intentionally leaking highly sensitive Israeli intelligence information, in an interview with FOX News.

Netanyahu and Obama, 04.03.12

Netanyahu and Obama, 04.03.12 - Photo by Reuters

According to the reports, Azerbaijan has recently granted Israel access to air bases along its border with Iran, which would eliminate the need for Israel to refuel during the course of a possible operation and would significantly improve the chances of its success.

Bolton, who refrained from stating whether or not he believes the reports to be true, highlighted the fact that the reports were leaked by United States intelligence officials. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News, Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| April 1, 2012
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US denies leaking info on Israeli access to Azeri airbases

White House source tells Ynet DC had nothing to do with leaking information alleging Baku granted IAF access to its airbases in case of strike on Iran

 

A top White House official denied Saturday that the US Administration was responsible for leaking information, alleging that Israel has secured access to airfields in Azerbaijan ahead of a possible strike on Iran‘s nuclear facilities, to the press.

On Thursday, Foreign Policy Magazine reported that Baku had granted Jerusalem permission to use four abandoned, Soviet-era airbases, where IAF fighter jets could refuel in case of a strike against the Islamic Republic.

The sources said that the White House had “no interest” in leaks of this kind, adding that the administration would “gladly prosecute” the people behind it – if they knew who they were. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| March 28, 2012
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What’s the capital of Israel? Don’t ask the U.S. State Department

In statement issued this week, State Department spokeswoman listed a U.S. diplomat’s travel destinations as ‘Algeria, Qatar, Jordan, Jerusalem, and Israel’ – drawing fire from conservative reporters.

 

The status of Jerusalem has long been a controversial issue – even in the U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland echoed that fact this week while answering a question about Israel’s capital.

Earlier this week, the Department of State issued a routine statement announcing the visit of the Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Kathleen Stephens to the Middle East. The statement said that Stephens was “to meet with a broad cross-section of government officials, students, NGOs, and exchange program alumni”.

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Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| March 4, 2012
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Obama: All options remain on the table to prevent a nuclear Iran

U.S. President Barack Obama addresses AIPAC conference in Washington; staunchly defends his administration’s record on Israel, citing strong security and diplomatic assistance.

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Sunday that the entire world has an interest in preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, and that all options remain on the table to keep Iran from going nuclear.

Barack Obama March 4, 2012 (AFP)

U.S. President Barack Obama addresses AIPAC conference in Washington, March 4, 2012. Photo by: AFP

“We all prefer to resolve this issue diplomatically,” Obama said in an address at the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC’s policy conference in Washington. “Having said that, Iran’s leaders should have no doubt about the resolve of the United States, just as they should not doubt Israel’s sovereign right to make its own decisions about what is required to meet its security needs.

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