FROM JOSEPH FARAH'S G2 BULLETIN
NETANYAHU REPORTED CONSIDERING NEW PARTNER FOR ISRAEL
Comment from reinstated foreign minister takes nation in startling direction
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Editor’s Note: The following report is excerpted from Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin, the premium online newsletter published by the founder of WND. Subscriptions are $99 a year or, for monthly trials, just $9.95 per month for credit card users, and provide instant access for the complete reports.
BEIRUT, Lebanon – A recent comment by reinstated Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has prompted renewed interest in closer Israeli-Russian relationship – despite their differences over Iran’s nuclear program, informed sources say in a report in Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin.
Lieberman suggested that Israel needed to find alternative strategic partners to the United States, a comment which later prompted his deputy to downplay the statement.
Lieberman referred to the idea as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Moscow to discuss further links between the two countries, particularly in technical cooperation, trade and regional security.
At their meeting, Netanyahu reportedly praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for pushing for the full destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal.
Putin was in a “joyful mood” at a televised news conference. For his part, Netanyahu also spoke about the historical cultural ties between Russians and Jews.
While enhancing relations with Moscow despite their major differences over support both for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Iran’s nuclear program, Lieberman, who remained in Israel, made particularly directed comments on furthering ties with Russia.
Lieberman, who was recently acquitted by a court on charges of fraud and breach of trust, said that Israel needed to find new international partners to replace the United States.
“Ties between Israel and the U.S. are weakening,” Lieberman said, due to the U.S. position on Iran’s nuclear program, and on other issues. “The Americans today are dealing with too many challenges and they are busy in Iran and North Korea and also have economic and immigration problems.”
Israel, Lieberman said, “must first of all look to have relationships with countries that do not need financial assistance, that don’t have problems in the international arena, and don’t depend on the Islamic-Arabic world.”
The comment immediately got Moscow’s attention as it now is seeking to extend its influence throughout the Middle East.
“I am sure Lieberman would be very happy to have an alliance with Russia,” said Yoav Peled, a professor at Tel Aviv University’s Department of Political Science. “But I am not sure that the interests of these two countries are more compatible than the interests of Israel and the U.S.
“Maybe they are also thinking of China but I would say the same thing,” Peled said. “It would be very nice for Israel to have all kinds of alliances.”
In what appeared to be some disarray inside the Israeli government itself, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin, who accompanied Netanyahu to Moscow, sought to downplay the comments from his boss.
“No, I would not suggest reaching far-reaching conclusions that we will now replace our main ally, and that that is the aim of the visit,” Elkin said. “Even when there are disagreements over this issue or another, there is no one who can take the place of the Americans.”
For years, the United States has been a primary ally of Israel, especially as primary provider of its military assistance and technology.
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/12/netanyahu-reported-considering-new-partner-for-israel/#zzfylQdGTZ1YcoAT.99
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