WH official: Netanyahu’s response to Iran deal ‘weak and desperate’
US official: Netanyahu’s response to Iran deal ‘weak and desperate’ | The Times of Israel.
( We’ll ram IranScam through congress just like ObamaCare… – JW )
Unnamed White House staffer reportedly says PM losing support in Washington over his attempts to sway Congress
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vocal opposition to the P5+1 nations’ signing of an interim deal with Iran last week was “weak and desperate,” an unnamed senior official at the White House reportedly said Sunday, adding that the Obama administration considered Netanyahu’s complaints to be of no great concern to the US diplomatic effort.
According to a Channel 10 news report, the senior American official added that although the White House believes Netanyahu will attempt to thwart US government policy by appealing to members of Congress, the Obama administration does not see the Israeli prime minister as a threat in this regard.
Netanyahu’s statements since the interim deal with Iran was signed early last Sunday “indicate a lack of self-confidence. We’re not excited about his vocal opposition,” the official was quoted saying.
Still, the unnamed official added, “We do not really fear the result. We have learned how to work in spite of him; he can be managed.”
The official added that Netanyahu’s opposition to the Geneva deal is understandable, but said that the prime minister’s response was causing more harm than good.
“Too bad he does not trust us,” the official said. “We know what we’re doing on Iran. We’re not naive.”
Netanyahu has publicly savaged the Geneva interim accord with Iran — in which Iran is to partially freeze its nuclear program in return for some sanctions relief — as a “historic mistake” and said Israel does not see itself as bound by it. Officials in Jerusalem have repeatedly castigated President Barack Obama for overseeing a failed negotiating process with Iran under which, they claim, Iran’s nuclear weapons drive is not being thwarted while the sanctions pressure against Iran is collapsing.
Following the agreement, Netanyahu and Obama spoke by phone and Netanyahu agreed to dispatch his national security adviser, Yossi Cohen, to Washington to consult on the next intended stage of the diplomatic process — a permanent deal on Iran’s rogue nuclear program.
Earlier Sunday, former prime minister Ehud Olmert launched a bitter attack against his successor, Netanyahu, for his “utterly misguided” policy of publicly confronting the United States over its Iran policy.
“We’ve declared war on the American government. You can’t deny this,” Olmert said at panel discussion at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.
Raphael Ahren contributed to this report
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WarSclerotic 
December 2, 2013 at 11:32 AM
Hey…pay Putin enough and he’ll make sure Obama ends up with polonium in his underwear.
Heck, he may even do it for free.
December 2, 2013 at 2:17 PM
Netanyahu’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
My apologies to William Shakespeare
December 2, 2013 at 3:46 PM
John….
Please make comment with 4 links in it. That will come direct to me and nobody else can see it.
I just did this with artaxes and he was able to send me his email that way. 4 links and an email.
Let’s get this show on the road!
JW
December 2, 2013 at 3:51 PM
If he’s as bad as you think he is, then we’re really screwed here in Israel.
I’ve always believed he had things under control. Now I’m beginning to wonder…..
December 2, 2013 at 5:52 PM
With all due respect, I have repeatedly written on this very site that in the end game Iran will continue its nuclear energy program including the full nuclear full cycle in return for some minor concessions, more inspections, an additional protocol and perhaps even a peak at some buildings at Parchin.
Israel is not (and never has been) in a position to do anything about this.
Iran is not Iraq, not Syria, not Lebanon and not Gaza. In the 8 year war against Iraq, Iran has learned to defend itself against aggression.
Besides, it’s not legal to attack a sovereign nation’s nuclear energy program just because another country disapproves.
I am still convinced this is the only solution, Iran can’t be bombarded into submission.
December 2, 2013 at 7:06 PM
I agree that no easy one-off action can now alter the general direction of where the events are heading. A massive aerial campaign would surely lead to a unimaginably costly full blown war of attrition, outcome of which is largely in Iran’s favour. Israel can still use bold espionage and black ops, but again, these are unlikely to halt Iranian nuclear programme (just like they would not stop the Nazis from starting the ww2). I suppose the only events that could still change the game today is a change in the oval office, start of ww3, or a EMP-generating nuclear attack high above Iran.
Perhaps the West knows something we don’t – doubt it though.
Other than this, Renbe is right. Iran is getting their bombs because the Western economies cannot afford a war now.
December 2, 2013 at 2:27 PM
“We know what we’re doing on Iran” says the White House. What that means is that Iran is a nuclear power and Israel can go pound sand. Into the vacuum of American power comes chaos….and here it comes. Just don’t run out of ammo because the last one standing is going to be the winner.
December 2, 2013 at 3:47 PM
Norm…
Please read my last reply to John Prophet and do likewise.
I need to connect with you for the sake of the site.
Cheers!
JW
December 2, 2013 at 2:30 PM
hay obolo do you job stop Iranian nuclear weapon program the right way then Netanyahu would not have to make sure Iran is being stopped .It is oboma who is weak and desperate trying to make a deal with Iran at any cost to Israel ,the US, and the world. I trust Netanyahu a 100 and 10 times over Obama and in this issue Netanyahu is right because he lives in that neighborhood !
December 2, 2013 at 2:39 PM
PS Kennedy stopped the Russians in Cuba in 62 because they were in our back neighborhood !
December 2, 2013 at 3:25 PM
And what was the price he payed for it ?
December 2, 2013 at 3:48 PM
Joop…
Please read my last reply to John Prophet and do likewise.
I need to connect with you for the sake of the site.
Cheers!
JW
December 2, 2013 at 4:16 PM
I just send you an E mail
December 2, 2013 at 5:18 PM
Israel Showcases Unmanned Defense Technology – Aharon Lapidot (Israel Hayom)
An international exhibition in Rishon Lezion on Tuesday offered a glimpse into the impressive capabilities of Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles.
Israel Aerospace Industries’ Harop combat suicide UAV, which self-destructs upon reaching its target, drew special attention. The drone is designed to attack missile batteries and can reach targets up to 1,000 km. away.
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=13617
December 2, 2013 at 5:35 PM
More sound and fury signifying ZIP!!!!
“In Rome, Netanyahu was heard to say for the umpteenth time that Israel would not allow Iran to attain a nuclear bomb. He seemed to have forgotten the diagram he exhibited to the UN General Assembly in September 2012 accompanied by a resounding pledge not to let Iran accumulate enough enriched uranium for a weapon.” Debka
December 2, 2013 at 5:43 PM
“Hanegbi, in his comments Sunday, put the record straight: Iran has built a uranium stockpile of 7.2 tons, enough for several bombs.”
Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, after criticizing his successor for daring to argue with US President Obama, was of the opinion that Israel would not attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. He was saying that Israel has decided to accept a nuclear-armed Iran.” Debka..
.
December 2, 2013 at 5:50 PM
Its looking like the strategy will change to one of containment of a nuclear Iran.
The Iranian armed forces are currently upgrading their armored units and MBT.
December 2, 2013 at 6:05 PM
Netanyahu has over stayed his welcome as PM and will at some point be asked to retire….
December 2, 2013 at 6:10 PM
Was he ever really going to do anything? All the bluster and Iran called his bluff, not helped by the lack of support from Washington either.
December 2, 2013 at 6:24 PM
Netanyahu failed completely! He failed to move years ago when things could have been done to kill Irans nuke program. Then he failed to manuver others to do the dirty work. Netanyahu needs to exit stage left.
December 2, 2013 at 6:29 PM
Its too late now anyway as far as I can see. Having him in or out will mean very little in the wider game.
Now the Saudis will get their nukes, then Egypt, then Turkey.
What a mess.
December 3, 2013 at 12:33 PM
Defence…
Please post a comment with 4 links and your email so I can contact you.
Only I can read it so there’s no danger it will get out.
Cheers!
Joe
December 2, 2013 at 6:35 PM
DT, what a mess indeed. You’re correct, but for this failure politically Netanyahu is done.
December 2, 2013 at 7:17 PM
After this humiliating defeat Obama will next pound Israel into Auschwitz Borders. The rise of Tzipi Livni.
December 2, 2013 at 7:43 PM
Yep go whit the flow, one new world.
December 2, 2013 at 7:50 PM
I just want to point something out here on this thread:
The element of surprise is important. We all knew when Israel acts they’d want as much surprise as possible.
Now many on here are questioning why if Netanyahu was going to act he didn’t strike Iran right after the Geneva disaster. He waits a week, then he flies off to Rome like everything is business as usual.
It could be to wait for the new moon. But it could also be to hopefully regain some level of surprise.
Netanyahu just said yesterday he will act against the threat “in time if need be”.
http://www.pmo.gov.il/English/MediaCenter/Events/Pages/eventrome011213.aspx
Netanyahu knows the stakes that are on the line here. People need to be patient and give him a little more time and see what happens.
December 2, 2013 at 8:27 PM
Mark, as we’ve seen recently, hoping against hope is a losing proposition….
December 2, 2013 at 8:33 PM
So in effect the White House is saying:
“Bibi? Who is Bibi? We don’t give a crap about him. We are doing what we want and he can do nothing. He is barking as usual but we can handle that. He is barking but not biting.”
This latest effort by Obavez and his team to humiliate Bibi could backfire badly because a hurt man can explode and act very differently.
This could have the very opposite effect of what is intended.
If they demolish his credibility they will literally force him to act because I don’t see that Israel can afford a leader like Obavez who has become the joke of the world.
“Too bad he does not trust us,” the official said. “We know what we’re doing on Iran. We’re not naive.”
Do you trust a viper or a scorpion? Yes, you are not naive. You are evil liars and deceivers.
December 2, 2013 at 8:57 PM
If I were Bibi I would not attack, unless there was absolute proof of a Iranian nuclear weapons being constructed, until all the elements of Israel’s anti-missile shield are in place. I would need assurance that the Arrow III and David’s sling systems are operational. Obviously these systems will not be 100 percent foolproof but at least I would have attempted to safe-guard the Israeli public to the best of the country’s ability. If Bibi goes to war prematurely can you imagine the anger of a bloodied Israeli public if they found out that only a few months later a better anti-missile system would have been in place. And let us not kid ourselves, Iran will be sending large amounts of missiles towards Israel. Bibi knows what he is doing.
December 2, 2013 at 9:14 PM
Bibi knows what he is doing.” umm don’t think he does.
December 2, 2013 at 9:35 PM
From Zerohedge twitter:
“zerohedge @zerohedge 18m
U.S. OUTFITTING SHIP TO DESTROY SYRIAN CHEMICAL ARMS: PSAKI
Expand “
December 3, 2013 at 2:32 AM
Next Obama will stuff the Auschwitz borders down Netanyahu’s throat and give the Palestinians everything they want including right of return.
December 3, 2013 at 2:40 AM
The slippery slope that was Oslo has turned into into a full mud avalanche that will over flow Israel.
December 3, 2013 at 2:50 AM
Netanyahu, was a mess and under your watch. How could you be so naïve?
PM playing with fire
Op-ed: Palestinians want full sovereignty; if Israel wants to live, it must knock over negotiating table
Elyakim Haetzni
Published: 11.07.13, 19:59 / Israel Opinion
When the 17 basic demands of the Palestinians became known, even impassioned peace camp followers were alarmed by them. If I were a Palestinian, I would respond with the following monologue:
“What surprises you? Our demand that the state of Palestine will control the border crossings rather than Israel? That Palestine will be free to sign international agreements, including military ones? That it will be the only one to control the airspace over it and the water reservoirs under it and will be the exclusive sovereign in the territorial waters off Gaza and in the Dead Sea? Is there a country in the world which these are not the basic components of its sovereignty?
Behind the scenes of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks / Elior Levy
First details emerge after three months of negotiations; Israel’s Livni, Molcho uncoordinated, Kerry threatens to allow Palestinians
“We know that you predict that through the border crossings we will pour in hundreds of thousands who will change the demographic balance in our favor, bring in terrorists, Revolutionary guards and such others; that we will sign a military pact with Iran and maybe with Syria or with Russia, and you won’t be able to lift a finger against their soldiers if we invite them to defend us against you; that the control of the Palestinian air force, together with friendly air forces, will make it difficult to use Ben-Gurion Airport; that from the entire Dead Sea all you’ll have left will be the evaporation ponds in its southwestern corner, and we will pump the groundwater as we please, even if you’ll miss it in Tel Aviv.
“Whether we do that and whether we don’t – it’s our decision, because that’s the essence of sovereignty. And if you’re having trouble living with it, that’s your problem. You should have thought of that before the Bar-Ilan speech and before launching the Livni-Erekat negotiations, whose starting point is the move from Oslo to sovereignty.
“Additional demands we have are also self-evident from your agreement in principle: For example, for sovereignty over all the holy places. What were you thinking, that you would ‘give’ us Shuafat and take the Temple Mount for yourselves? And we will of course demand Israeli legislation cancelling the annexation of Jerusalem. And as for the settlers in Jerusalem and the West Bank, their number is already reaching 700,000. Do you think we can really run an independent state with them within us? The moment you said ‘Palestinian state’ you said ‘Jews out,’ and that is another thing you should have thought about earlier.”
Netanyahu’s fatal mistake
That’s it for the Palestinian claim describing the inevitable repercussions of the fatal mistake Netanyahu made by permitting a Palestinian state in Zion. And we have yet to mention their battle to flood Israel with “refugees,” which even if they give up on now, they will renew through the national tools we will give them.
Ramallah is demanding from us everything it is missing for sovereignty. What it has – a parliament, a government, a flag and an anthem, diplomatic offices, a status at the UN, an economy and armed forces – is an autonomy, and the elements we have left for ourselves are the ones which distinguish between a state and an autonomy. Yet without these restrictions Israel will not be able to survive, and so Netanyahu is trying to sell an autonomy packed as a state.
This attempt is doomed to fail. Among the Arabs, because they are insisting – and rightfully so – on opening the package and checking its content. Among the Jews, because they know that even if the Arabs agree to accept an autonomic essence in a formal status of a state, they will use the sovereignty’s powers and authorities to fill this gap. The entire world will understandingly accept a unilateral Palestinian cancelation of the characteristics of sovereignty Israel has kept for itself, because sovereignty cannot be divided.
Netanyahu is playing with fire. On the date set by the Americans, April 2014, this fire will erupt. An Israel wishing to live will knock over the negotiations table before this time arrives, so that we are not bounded by them. Good reasons to stop the talks are being produced by the Palestinians all the time, but we practice restraint “in order to save the negotiations,” and that’s a scandal in itself.
December 3, 2013 at 3:01 AM
The repercussions of Netanyahu’s folly will be made crystal clear soon enough and be debated by Historians decades into the future.
December 3, 2013 at 4:41 AM
” He who curses Israel will be cursed ! ”. Therefore the politics of the present US – administration is first of all bad for the USA…..!.Israel may very well be increasingly left alone by men, but her God has made an eternal covenant with her and has proven again and again that HE STANDS WITH HIS COVENANT AND WITH ISRAEL ¨!
Just wait and see how HE is going to help Israel this time ! I tell my wife again and again : Dont you worry for Israel, but do worry for those who do evil to Israel ! Am Israel chai !
December 3, 2013 at 5:17 AM
Everyone on this spec in our vast seen and unseen universe believes god is focused on just them. Do you know there are more stars in the visible universe than grains of sand in every desert and beach on this planet. Yet some believe god is worrying about just a small sampling in the human population on this one spec.
Well just site there and do nothing. Who knows maybe that’s exactly what needs to be done, maybe lack of war is ultimately gods plan. To late to do anything else. Let’s everyone sing. So,”all we are saying is give peace a chance.” Why not, it worked well for Chamberlin and England.
December 3, 2013 at 5:50 AM
Hi JP ! I I got your point. The jewish scriptures ( the tanach / socalled old testament….) are exeptional to me because many things that are said / prophesised there have already happened so far, proving that the scriptures are in fact reliable ! E.G. the return of the jews to their homeland has been prophesised long before it happened. Because the scriptures have proven reliability to me this gives me the hope and strength to go on, to trust HIM who has said in the tenach ” He who touches you Israel is touching the apple of MY eye….!” Therefore I dont worry for Israels future because HE keeps his word ! But I fear for all those who want to do evil to Israel.
December 3, 2013 at 6:34 AM
WG, I respect your beliefs, and will not try to dissuade you of them. Since we do not know what’s possible anything is possible. Peace be with you WG.
December 3, 2013 at 12:27 PM
John….
Please post a comment with 4 links and your email so I can contact you.
Only I can read it so there’s no danger it will get out.
Cheers!
Joe