Israel gets new F-16I fighter/bomber

[tinnypriv]

Israel gets new F-16I fighter/bomber
Jerusalem Post, 14 November 2003

Pilots of the newest F-16I long-range fighter/bomber which is to roll off the assembly line in Texas Friday are itchy to get their hands on the $45 million jet.

Aerospace giant Lockheed Martin delivers the first F-16I at its plant here Friday to an Israeli delegation led by Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, fresh from his talks in Washington.

...

The aircraft have been supplemented to Israel's specifications and are different from any other F-16, even in the service of the US Air Force. They are being paid for from the annual US military grants given to Israel, which this year stands at about $2.2 billion.

...

With the arrival of the 102 F-16Is, Israel will have a total of 362 of the jets – the largest fleet in any country in the world behind the United States. The F-16s are the backbone of the IAF, but these new "I" models will give added punch to the long-range capabilities of the IAF and will complement the squadron of F-15Is Israel received in the end of the 1990s.

...

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1068697370721&p=1008596981749

...

BACKGROUND/COMMENT:

These new aircraft have special fuel tanks giving an extended range of 1,500km circular around Israel. This puts Iran and Libya within range of attack.

A former IAF commander said last night: "our neighbors should know that if they have any thoughts about reaching us, they should know we can reach them" (Israeli Channel Ten, cited by Ariga)

Also, Yediot Aharonot reported today that Israel has specifically "warned Syria" by carrying out military exercises on its northern border. These exercises apparently were in part based on a possible incursion into Lebanon. Yediot also says military intelligence is warning of possible Hizbollah attacks.

In addition, Ma'ariv reported on Oct 7 that Shaul Mofaz has been "drawing up additional targets in Syria" (following the Israeli bombing attack), and Israel has communicated a threat to Assad that his "regime is in danger". The IAF also "buzzed" a presidential palace several weeks ago, for intimidation purposes.

[JNelson6563]

1. Well this should keep the rock throwers in line

Oy!

Julie

[Resistance]

2. Anyone need evidence of U.S. sponsored terrorism?

Here's your story.

[Blitz]

3. Excellent!!

"'We don't think about the price of the jet in terms of dollars, but in the defense of the state of Israel,' he told The Jerusalem Post."

Good for the IAF. I hope that these jets strengthen their ability to defend their country and further strengthen the friendship between Israel and the United States.

[tinnypriv]

4. Easy to say when they're free

;-)

[Resistance]

8. also

easy to say when you're not the victim of Israel's terrorist bombings.

[madrchsod]

5. 2.2 billion dollars of our money..

boy do i feel safer now. dam i`m voting for sharon, he just makes me feel all warm and cuddly just knowing he`ll defend my country. don`t you feel all warm and cuddly too???

[Lurking Dem]

6. Thank you, Israel!

for providing jobs for so many Americans!

[Resistance]

7. jobs for Americans

bombs and bloodbaths for Palestinians.

Great.

[tinnypriv]

9. What the living fuck?

The UNITED STATES is sending Israel US fighter aircraft and paying for them with US TAXPAYER DOLLARS and it gets dumped in FA/NS?

Anybody fancy sending a PM explaining this utter fucking bullshit? :shrug:

EDIT: Oh yeah, what does this have to do with the Palestinians?

[Resistance]

11. LBN read-me

"Discussion of Israeli/Palestinian issues is not permitted in the Latest Breaking News forum, and instead must be posted in the Foreign Affairs/National Security forum. If, however, the news item is primarily about U.S. policy in Israeli/Palestinian affairs, you may post it in the Latest Breaking News forum."

The U.S. giving Israel fighter jets sounds to me like it should be an LBN item, but hey it's only Palestinians that are going to be terrorized by these planes, so what's the point in discussing the matter.

[bemildred]

12. Actually, I would bet these are intended to

deter enemies farther away than Gaza. The big deal is
they can reach Iran.

[beanball]

10. The American tax dollar at work

and we wonder why the Arabs hate us.WAKEUP AMERICA.

[Blitz]

13. Just out of curiosity

Do you have any idea how many American tax dollars go to Arab and Muslim countries?

Edited for typo.

[Darranar]

14. Less than go to Israel.

[Blitz]

15. Are you absolutely sure about that

Or is that just your politics jerking your knee? You have any numbers to support that assertion?

And, if it is, in fact, less than Israel gets, does it matter how much less? Is one dollar less the same as one billion dollars less, as long as Israel gets more?

You might want to do a little research before you hit the reply button.

[Darranar]

16. I am sure about this:

No single Arab nation gets as much aid as does Israel.

[Blitz]

17. That wasn't the question

But you knew that and decided to change the subject. Don't you find that tactic just a little embarrassing?

[Darranar]

18. What question?

[Blitz]

19. I'm always happy to help

I asked beanball the following question:

"Just out of curiosity, do you have any idea how many American tax dollars go to Arab and Muslim countries?"

You replied with the following assertion:

"Less than go to Israel."

I then asked you:

"Are you absolutely sure about that or is that just your politics jerking your knee? You have any numbers to support that assertion?

And, if it is, in fact, less than Israel gets, does it matter how much less? Is one dollar less the same as one billion dollars less, as long as Israel gets more?"

At which point you decided to change the subject with:

"I am sure about this:
No single Arab nation gets as much aid as does Israel."

Does that help, or should I repeat the question?

O.K., just to be sure:

Question 1:

Are you absolutely sure about the veracity of your assertion in post number 14 that less American tax dollars go to Arab and Muslim countries than go to Israel?

Question 2:

If, in fact, Arab and Muslim countries receive fewer American tax dollars less than Israel gets, does it matter how much less? Is one dollar less the same as one billion dollars less, as long as Israel gets more?

There you go.

On edit: If you really don't want to do the research, I'll accept an "I have no idea" and a retraction of your assertion in post #14. I await your response.

[Darranar]

20. In regard to Question 1:

My statement was meant to be on a one-on-one basis - in other words, simply post 16 in different words. The phrasing was perhaps confusing.

For Question 2, yes it does matter. However, it is important to consider that BOTH of those factors worsen Arab perception of the US. Egypt, for instance, is ruled by a brutal regime. Aid to it worsens the hatred of the US instead of repairing it.

[Blitz]

22. I completely agree

Aid to Egypt needs to be severely curtailed in light of the fact that it is a brutal dictatorship and has consistantly acted as an enemy rather than a friend to the United States and has spewed hatred in spite of receiving about two billion dollars in U.S. aid (not to mention some of the most advanced weapons systems in the world).

Here is a small sampling of what is printed in the Egyptian government controlled press:

http://www.memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD60203

http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP59403

http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP58003

http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP56203

It is a positive sign that Egypt's aid package is finally being tied to its human rights record:

http://www.terrorismanswers.com/policy/foreignaid2.html

[Darranar]

23. You mean the propaganda says that Egypt's aid package...

is being tied to human rights.

More likely, Egypt does not need to be bribed as much as it once did.

[TimeLord]

26. What does it matter, blitz, how much tax money goes to Arab countries.

We are discussing Israel. Your attempt at diversion is nice though.

[Aidoneus]

21. are you talking business or aid packages?

.

[Blitz]

24. I'm talking about government aid

both economic and military. I'm not talking about loans or loan guarantees or other business arrangements that are not generally qualified as aid.

[Aidoneus]

25. ok, off the top of my head

approx. 40% of USAID is taken up by Israel (the largest recipient of US military/economic aid) and Egypt/Jordan (for kissing up to Tel Aviv and being quisling puppets at the beck and call of their masters). The next largest behind Israel & Egypt is either Turkey or Colombia, both tied to raise signifigantly as the reports of atrocities rise. Israel itself recieves more aid than all of sub-Saharan Africa, in which there may be a Muslim or two laying about feeling slighted.

Pakistan receives a large chunk as well (traditionally and up to today), again in that "quisling puppet" catagory. The "Red Sultan"/dictator of Uzbekistan has recently been added on to the military side of things in recognition of his skill at torturing Muslims that may or may not be dissidents (particularly notable for boiling them)--hundred million or somesuch, perhaps three hundred million--in addition to his previous posturings toward Russia & China.

Don't recall if the petrocolonies in the Gulf get direct subsidies aside from spreading their legs for CENTCOM & the 5th Fleet, or just oil money.

[TimeLord]

27. Wow....

I'm almost sorry blitz asked!

Great post and very informative. Thanks Aidoneous.

[Aidoneus]

28. seems to have gone unnoticed by the askee

but, no problem. :hi: