Slog
News & ArtsMonday, February 13, 2012
War Israel's Broke War Machine
Posted by Charles Mudede on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 10:23 AM
Do not separate this...
The Israel Air Force may stop the production of the Iron Dome and David Sling missile interception systems in 2012 as a result of insufficient funds, a military budget breakdown revealed on Sunday.Last month, the government backtracked on its intention to cut NIS 3 billion from the defense budget, meant to pay for social benefits in the wake of last summer's wave of protests according to the recommendations of the Trajtenberg committee.
The move was decided after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted the Defense Ministry's stance, according to which such a dramatic cut would be unwise in the face of the political upheavals taking place across the Mideast. these, in turn, could increase terror threats against Israel.
However, despite succeeding in averting a drastic budget cut, the IDF's financial woes are far from over.
From this...
Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has accused Iran of being behind twin attacks on Israeli targets in India and Georgia on Monday in a move likely to further escalate tensions between the two countries and increase international pressure on the Iranian regime.This is as raw as it gets.
2
Well, can't we just tax the US food stamps, sell the national parks to BP, and defund the civil rights division of the DOJ to pay for Israel's military?
3
nothing like a little jew-baiting while assad shells tens of thousands of arab civilians into smithereens.
5
This sounds like a pre-attack ruse. "Look how poor we are. We can't even protect ourselves if you were to attack."
6
@4 You wish, I wish, Iranians wish.
Iranian government has ridiculous staying power. I remember having such high hopes for my ancestral stomping grounds when former presidents Mohammad Khatami, and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani were around.
I'm about done holding out hope for those poor people.
Iranian government has ridiculous staying power. I remember having such high hopes for my ancestral stomping grounds when former presidents Mohammad Khatami, and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani were around.
I'm about done holding out hope for those poor people.
7
Why are there Israeli targets in India and Georgia? And #3, where the hell do you see "jew-baiting"? These are simple, straightforward reports of developments in the middle east. Let me guess: cries of "jew-baiting" are your response every time you see something remotely critical of the Israeli government, right? And if you criticize Israel, it automatically means you're turning a blind eye to Assad's behavior, correct?
8
"David's Sling" is an interesting name for a canceled missile intercept system. Is there a certain irony in the fact that hand-woven biblical-type slings were the favored 'weapon' of the first Palestinian Intifada against the Israeli occupation, used by boys hurling stones?
9
Israel may have bowed to pressure to protesters complaining about the high costs of rent in Israel proper, but they are also bowing down to settlers, who are stepping their efforts in attacking Palestinian farms, torching mosques and in some rare occasions, attacking military bases.
In the end, Israel can afford Iron dome, but will chose to continue subsidizing west bank settlements and will simply ask the USA to fund it 100% (this is in addition to whatever military aid we give them each year). The USA will spend roughly 40,000$ per missile, in order to shoot down a 300$ home made missile that rarely ever connects to its intended target. So in addition to giving them this technology and installing it for them, we'll be paying for it for decades to come.
In the end, Israel can afford Iron dome, but will chose to continue subsidizing west bank settlements and will simply ask the USA to fund it 100% (this is in addition to whatever military aid we give them each year). The USA will spend roughly 40,000$ per missile, in order to shoot down a 300$ home made missile that rarely ever connects to its intended target. So in addition to giving them this technology and installing it for them, we'll be paying for it for decades to come.
10
@3: Criticism of Israel's conservative leadership is "jew-bating"? Bullshit.
Israel is a mess. It's heavy-handed, militaristic treatment of it's Arabic neighbors has only served to put more power into the hands of religious hard-liners struggling for power amid shifting Arabic politics. Every time Israel assassinates one of its mortal enemies, it make hundreds more. It's foreign policy is driven by excessive pride, hate, and paranoia rather than any rational or long term consideration of its interests. And apparently, it dismisses any contrasting point of view as "jew-bating".
But hey, whatever, just leave the US out of it.
Israel is a mess. It's heavy-handed, militaristic treatment of it's Arabic neighbors has only served to put more power into the hands of religious hard-liners struggling for power amid shifting Arabic politics. Every time Israel assassinates one of its mortal enemies, it make hundreds more. It's foreign policy is driven by excessive pride, hate, and paranoia rather than any rational or long term consideration of its interests. And apparently, it dismisses any contrasting point of view as "jew-bating".
But hey, whatever, just leave the US out of it.
11
I criticize Israel. Most American Jews criticize Israel. Most Israeli Jews--criticize Israel. (You know, like most Americans criticize our own government.)
But definitely, Mudede was Jew-baiting. He's done it before.
The two things can exist simultaneously.
But definitely, Mudede was Jew-baiting. He's done it before.
The two things can exist simultaneously.
12
@11: "But definitely, Mudede was Jew-baiting. He's done it before. "
Mudede was more likely Christian baiting, seeing as most American Jews don't care.
Mudede was more likely Christian baiting, seeing as most American Jews don't care.
13
NIS 3 billion = $0.8 billion.
US already gives Israel $3 billion per year (or maybe that's $5.5 billion per year).
Yes, hard times for Israeli military.
US already gives Israel $3 billion per year (or maybe that's $5.5 billion per year).
Yes, hard times for Israeli military.
15
@3 and @11 -- Jew-baiting? This? Are you out of your minds? Exactly what Netanyahu theme park are you living in? One thing's for sure -- you can kiss my Jewish tuches.
16
@12, several of us do care, and we know the difference between Christian baiting and Jew baiting.
@15, thanks, but no. Find someone else to do so. If you can't understand what I wrote about the possibility of criticizing governments without automatically hating the whole country and its people, then you can't.
@15, thanks, but no. Find someone else to do so. If you can't understand what I wrote about the possibility of criticizing governments without automatically hating the whole country and its people, then you can't.
17
Sorry, how is this "Jew baiting"? Actually, what does that even mean?
Mr. Mudede linked to two news articles pertaining to Israel's military concerns and suggested there was an association between them. That seems reasonable to me.
He wrote a total of 13 words in this post. Which part did you feel "baited Jews" and why?
Mr. Mudede linked to two news articles pertaining to Israel's military concerns and suggested there was an association between them. That seems reasonable to me.
He wrote a total of 13 words in this post. Which part did you feel "baited Jews" and why?
18
@16: "several of us do care, and we know the difference between Christian baiting and Jew baiting."
Apparently not.
@15: "If you can't understand what I wrote about the possibility of criticizing governments without automatically hating the whole country and its people, then you can't."
According to this, you don't understand what you wrote.
But, either way, you bite at his every attempt to draw in those who can't separate the state from its people, so congrats at being his target demographic.
Apparently not.
@15: "If you can't understand what I wrote about the possibility of criticizing governments without automatically hating the whole country and its people, then you can't."
According to this, you don't understand what you wrote.
But, either way, you bite at his every attempt to draw in those who can't separate the state from its people, so congrats at being his target demographic.
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