Valley Patriot (Mass.) cites JINSA reporting on Obama Admin. hold on AH-64D sale to Israel, 3/6/10
Obama holds up arms to Israel, ships to Muslim countries
By Paula Porten
According to a report last month by The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, the Obama Administration is blocking an arms deal with Israel. The report states that “Israel’s request for six AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters was blocked by the Obama Administration in June…”
Obama holds up arms to Israel, ships to Muslim countries
By Paula Porten
According to a report last month by The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, the Obama Administration is blocking an arms deal with Israel. The report states that “Israel’s request for six AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters was blocked by the Obama Administration in June…”
Meanwhile, Massachusetts Congresswoman Niki Tsongas told The Valley Patriot that she spoke with the Israeli embassy, the Pentagon, and State Department and the final purchase price of the Apaches continues to be negotiated between Boeing (the manufacturer of the helicopter), Israel and the United States. Congresswoman Tsongas says that she strongly supports Israel’s right to defend itself. She also believes in the special and close relationship that exists between Israel and the US.
But a Valley Patriot source and former White House official states that the deal has been and is still being blocked. “The Memorandum of Understanding was signed late last summer between the company and Israel. The MOU was then submitted with a request for a license, and once approved, the MOU is then negotiated into a final contract.” The Obama administration however, has twice denied the license, which means Obama is blocking the arms deal.” Sources say. Asked if the Bush Administration ever denied a license for an arms deal with Israel and was told by sources in the industry “no”.