binyamin netanyahu « The Irate Nation

Huge Saudi-Russian S-400 missile deal stalled over Israeli objections

A multibillion transaction for the sale of highly sophisticated Russian S-400 Triumf (NATO codenamed SA-21 Growler) missile interceptors to Saudi Arabia is hanging fire over Israel's objections to their deployment within easy range of the Negev and Eilat port, DEBKAfile's military sources report.

The $7 billion deal was brokered by Washington with a view to tempting Moscow to withhold S-300 air and missile defense batteries from Iran and denying the Islamic republic this key item for defending its nuclear sites. This quiet spat between Washington and Jerusalem, DEBKAfile's Washington sources report, prompted last week's demand for prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu and defense minister Ehud Barak to "line up with Washington on the nuclear issue."

Palestinian Leadership angers as Secretary of State praises “Unprecedented Restraint on the Policy of Settlements”

clipped from www.timesonline.co.uk

The Palestinian leadership accused the US of caving in over Israeli
settlements after Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of State, praised Israel
for making concessions.

Having failed to force Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, to meet
US demands for a total settlement freeze, Mrs Clinton switched tack during a
one-day visit to Jerusalem when she called on both sides to resume peace
talks.

“What the Prime Minister has offered in specifics of a restraint on the policy
of settlements . . . is unprecedented,” Mrs Clinton said.