Saturday news dump

This is huge, huge news that was dumped on the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend, so the major media outlets are mostly ignoring it.

The Obama administration threw Israel under the bus again. The NPT conference ended with all 189 countries—the U.S. included—issuing a statement that names Israel, and only Israel, when calling for a nuclear-free Middle East. It does not name Iran or Syria, two nations that were on the nuclear weapons track. It calls on Israel, and only Israel, to join the NPT, which Israel has never signed. Iran is a signatory. The document does not call on Iran to stop pursuing nuclear weapons.

The Obama adminstration’s spin on this is to “oppose” the singling out of Israel—yet the United States signed onto the document’s release, and therefore, approved of the singling out of Israel. Listen to Obama spin:

“The United States has long supported such a zone, although our view is that a comprehensive and durable peace in the region and full compliance by all regional states with their arms control and nonproliferation obligations are essential precursors for its establishment,” he said.

“We strongly oppose efforts to single out Israel, and will oppose actions that jeopardize Israel’s national security.”

Really? Then why did you allow the U.S. to sign the document? General Jim Jones, same story:

Taking the toughest line, U.S. National Security Adviser Gen. James Jones said in a statement Friday night that the United States has “serious reservations” about the 2012 conference and believes Mideast peace and full compliance by all countries in the region to their arms control and nonproliferation obligations “are essential precursors.” The compliance demand appeared to be aimed at Iran, which the U.S. believes is pursuing a nuclear weapons program despite Tehran’s claims its only goal is nuclear power.

Jones also strongly defended longtime U.S. ally Israel, which was singled out for not being a member of the NPT. He said the United States “deplores” the naming of Israel which puts prospects for the 2012 conference “in doubt.” As a cosponsor of the conference, Jones said the United States will ensure that it will only takes place “if and when all countries feel confident that they can attend.”

And yet, the United States signed onto the release of the document as is. What is this, the “Well, we really didn’t mean it” school of diplomacy?

The reaction from Israel wasn’t hard to guess: They’re telling the NPT to take a hike.

Hefetz added, “As a country that has not signed the NPT, Israel is not bound by the conference’s decision. Due to the decision’s distorted nature, Israel will not take part in its implementation.”

The subject will be coming up during next week’s Washington visit by Netanyahu. That should be a fun discussion. By the way, watch for Obama to give Bibi the Grade-A treatment in an attempt to get Jewish Democratic donors to open their purses again. Here’s hoping they’re not that stupid.