"We discovered that the qualitative edge of the IDF [Israel Defense
Forces] has been eroded," Israeli ambassador to the United States Michael
Oren said. "We came to the Obama administration and said: 'Listen, we have a
problem.'"
In December, Netanyahu
announced a construction freeze in what was said to have lowered tension
with the White House and paved the way for a discussion of Israeli concerns.
Still, the White House has suggested sanctions on Israel.
"Under American law, the United States can withhold support on loan
guarantees to Israel," U.S. envoy George Mitchell said on Jan. 6.
On Jan. 12, U.S. National Security Advisor James Jones was scheduled to
arrive in Israel for the launch of talks with Israel. Officials said Israel
wants to review the billions of dollars of advanced weapons approved by Washington during 2009.
A key Israeli concern, officials said, has been Obama's approval of
Harpoon Block 2 sea-based missiles to Egypt. Israel was said to have argued
that the advanced Harpoon, manufactured by Boeing, was configured to enable
land attacks from Egyptian Navy vessels.
"They said they are going to deal with this matter and ensure that the
qualitative edge of the IDF is preserved," Oren told the National Jewish
Democratic Council. "Since then we have embarked on a dialogue."
On the eve of Jones's visit, the U.S. Army reached agreement to store
double the amount of equipment in Israel. Under the deal, reported on Jan.
11 by the Washington-based Defense News, the army would maintain up to $800
million in pre-positioned equipment and munitions in the Jewish state, which
could be made available to Israel in case of emergency.
Still, the Israeli Defense Ministry has been awaiting an administration
decision on a range of Israeli weapons requests. Officials said they
included advanced airborne reconnaissance and refueling systems as well as
the AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter.
"The Israelis are concerned over the U.S. failure to approve weapons
requests as well as the advanced systems sold to Egypt, Jordan and Saudi
Arabia — all countries that neighbor Israel," an official said.
