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US rebuffs Israel, says red line on Iran 'not useful'
Yitzhak Benhorin, AFP
Published: 10.09.12, 23:00
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43 Talkbacks for this article
1. not the thing to do
postroad ,   USA   (09.10.12)
You simply do not ask, tell, require, demand, a sovereign nation to do this or that because it is in your nation's interests. Yes. It is in the interests of all nations but national pride is involved in such matters and the US has made it clear that it honors Israel'.s right to make it own decision about Iran
2. What's even "less useful" is
Sam ,   Texas   (09.10.12)
Obama yakking with the Iranians while they expand the capacity to enrich uranium and hide it further underground.......less useful and far more dangerous
3. please answer ..
adam   (09.10.12)
who is stopping jews from starting war with iram
4. Slapped down for impertinence
Harry Wright ,   UK   (09.11.12)
His majesty King Obama will not tolerate anyone trying to extract some kind of answer from him regarding his position on Iran's nuclear program. That is an isssue that he has and will continue to take lightly. So now you know Bibi, all those years Israel waited and waited on the US were just wasted years. You are on your own.
5. @ postroad
Israeli from Turkey   (09.10.12)
Fine, but then the US should stop pressuring Israel not to attack Iran only because Mr. Obama is worried about his reelection.
6. #1 US is twisting Israel's hands
Amir ,   Rehovot   (09.11.12)
into no action on Iran while not providing any garantees for Israel security. And, yes, Israel is a sovereign country and can defend itself. Amir
7. the bibi and mitt bubble
avramele   (09.10.12)
Do these jokers really think their tough talk works even among Jewish voters? Americans do not want a third war and most Israelis do not want to be an"acceptable civilian casualty" following an attack with a low likelihood of permanent success. Stuck in their ideological and political bubbles bibi and mitt are totally misreading the public mood in America and are blind to the lack of consensus in Israel. In swing states like Ohio, pennsylvania, and Wisconsin working class voters serve in the military and don't relish another war and call up.
8. Avoiding war...you're doing it wrong
Liran ,   T.O. Canada   (09.11.12)
I am a staunch supporter of Israel. Always have been. Always will be. But this is not the way to go. From a strategic standpoint nuclear weapons should not be the Israeli concern. The fact is our small geographic size is the best deterrence from nuclear attack. You can't lob a nuke at Israel without hitting our neighbours. And I highly doubt The Lebanese, Egyptians, Palestinians, Jordanians and Syrian governments are willing to risk the habitability of what land they have in the name of Allah for the next 10,000 years. Is Iran a threat? Yes. But they are not as big a threat as their proxies are sitting on our borders with katyushas ready to go at a moments notice. Whatever strategy BiBi is trying to employ to get the world on our side he is bumbling it and making us look like scared fools. We need to find different ways to draw support to get Iran to stop enriching to the point of achieving weapons grade uranium. The US has enough to bomb Iran back in time 1000 years as does Israel (or maybe not...who knows) the point is we cannot lose sight of what the IDF stands for -- the DEFENSE of the Israeli people. Stop rattling sabres for 5 seconds and you'll see that diplomatic channels are very much aligned with our interests.
9. Once again, American BETRAYAL of Israel !
Chris Rettenmoser ,   Bayerisch Gmain Germ   (09.11.12)
These WIMPS will NEVER EVER act against Irans nuke program !!!!!!!!!!!!
10. go bibi go...
steve ,   uk   (09.11.12)
Why are you waiting Bibi? Get those birds in the sky. Are you a duck?
11. #1
Steve ,   USA   (09.11.12)
You stated, "...the US has made it clear that it honors Israel'.s right to make it own decision about Iran". Words #1, just like saying "all options are on the table", while doing nothing (negotiations with Iran amount to nothing just like sanctions have not stopped nuke development). Israel stands to lose everything (like it's existence). If the US had a leader with balls or at least some backbone, perhaps Israel would not be so worried. Again you said "the US has made it clear that it honors Israel'.s right to make it own decision about Iran". The US has tried every possible avenue to STOP Israel from "making it's own decision". Including leaks (stuxnet, Azerbaijan airbase, saying Israel cannot destroy Iran's nuke intentions etc). So take your 'pride' and shove it.
12. Where is the line?
Curtis ,   USA   (09.11.12)
So is there a red line or not? How can anyone take action to prohibit Iran from obtaining nukes if there is no red line to base a decision on--that enough nonsense from Iran is enough? No red lines must mean no action to be taken by the US. This US administration is talking like a bunch of fools which they, no doubt, are.
13. Monica&Ross in NYC will still vote for Bambi
ab   (09.11.12)
They're soooo progressive !
14. 8 more weeks to suffer this clown...
Ariel ,   Europe   (09.11.12)
15. Bibi should ignore Obama/State Dept.
Kevin ,   US   (09.11.12)
Why even listen to U.S. when all they do is reprimand Israel for everything? Israeli leadership needs to protect their citizens and their borders, and that's all that matters. Obama has proven himself time and again to be empty rhetoric. I hope and pray that Obama's lack of leadership and feckless foreign policy does not end up harming Israel. No leader is fearful of America any longer, and why should they? I'm sure Iran's masters are laughing at him too.
16. #9...US cannot betray you because we are not responsible
Mike ,   Tampa   (09.11.12)
#9...US cannot betray you because we are not responsible for your security. Take care of yourself.
17. Does Tel aviv make US policies? Why not go it alone. The
American Vet   (09.11.12)
live of one US solider is more valuable that all of israel.
18. no red line for Obama
DR ,   Hebreon, Judea   (09.11.12)
You have to be careful when you ask someone like Obama for an answer, of course he would not come out and say he would spend American lives supporting an Israeli first strike. The real question, which has not yet been asked, is will he support Israel logistically in the war which would follow an Israeli first strike?
19. WWI started with an ally demanding 'red lines'
Abe Froman ,   NY, NY   (09.11.12)
Then it went out of control. No flexibility, no control.
20. #8 Liran
DavidR ,   USA   (09.11.12)
A few points you seem to not have considered. 1. Iran doesn't care what the Lebanese, Egyptians, Palestinians, Jordanians and Syrians want, think, or care. They don't care if they live or die. 2. Nukes can be produced to a size to only destroy a city just as was the case in World War II. 3. All muslims believe that to die in battle against infidels will bring rewards in heaven and are wishing to be martyrs. 4. Killing Jews at all cost is their #1 priority. So taking the left wing approach that you advise is nothing less than suicide.
21. Take It to Congress
Mark of Lewiston ,   USA   (09.11.12)
For some reason, , the Israeli right wing is terrified of taking the case to Congress and telling them what to do. The Israeli right wing doesn't hesitate to go to Congress over arms sales to the Saudis or aid to the PA. Why is Congress suddenly so terrifying?
22. Clinton said
the mad zionist ,   sf-ny-is   (09.11.12)
"Clinton said tight sanctions imposed on Iran were having an effect, and that the group of nations leading negotiations would continue working on the issue even though negotiations with Tehran have ground to a halt". .......are you kidding me? Does that even make sense to say that you believe in the negotiations even though they hit a brick wall? It's very clear what's going on here, the US will do nothing, and as long as Iran never admits they have nuclear weapons, the Obama admin will say sanctions are working. Obama, you will be directly responsible for a nuclear Iran, a islamisized ME, and history will show all your blunders. I pray for America if this admin gets a second term.
23. nah
postroad ,   USA   (09.11.12)
saying stupid things about Ob ama is hardly to the point. Do you think Mitt would step[in and bomb Iran this week? All the world and a large percentage of Israelis and most of Israel's military and intel folks believe sanction need be given full try...but no. Blame Obama for all things. Plain dumb.
24. Remember the Alamo!
Elad ,   Israel/Houston   (09.11.12)
They supposedly drew a line in the sand--so how'd that one turn out?
25. Is there any doubt Obama is on Iran's side?
Chaim ,   Israel   (09.11.12)
Isn't it a funny coincidence that every one of Obama's Mid East positions is great for Iran and it's genocidal Mad Mullahs? Is there any doubt Obama is on Iran's side? Destroy Iran's nukes NOW!
26. He's with the terrorists
Samuel Prime ,   Canada   (09.11.12)
Obama made more clear today that he is supportive of the terrorist activities of Iran and of their genocidal threats against Israel. Israel should proceed to do what it has to regardless of the islamist regime in the whitehouse.
27. I'm Liking Obama More And More
World Citizen ,   the world   (09.11.12)
He's got some backbone in him. It's time someone put Bibi in his place. Why you Israelis put up with Netanyahu I don't know. He's done more to harm the reputation of Israel that Israelis will ever know. He has pouted, whined, moaned and tried to extort the US government so much that I think Obama would just as soon lose the election as give another inch to the man. Hopefully Obama will win in November and when he does he's going to put Bibi on a short leash. The Palestinians might even get some justice. It's been a long time coming.
28. US says red line on Iran 'not useful'
ltrail ,   United States   (09.11.12)
If there is no "red line" that Iran crosses, how will the USofA determine that it's time to stop Iran? The USofA rebuffing Israel for seeking that benchmark is kudicrous. What is the State Dept. of the USofA thinking?
29. This Is How b.H.o. HAS ISRAEL'S BACK
(09.11.12)
Foolish American Jews Should Be Running Away From This Dangerous man! For That Matter Any G-D Fearing Humans In The U.S.A. Should also NOT VOTE FOR b.H.o. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
30. Could it be that the United States is actually...
Gunnar ,   Gothenburg, Sweden   (09.11.12)
...considering changing its position, from "Absolutely out of the question" to "Don't like it, but we can live with it"? Most of the world has adopted a similar position. Unofficially, of course.
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