Obama admin. denies visas to Israeli nuclear scientists

[JJC]

Washington - The Obama administration is now denying U.S. visas to Israeli scientists who work at that nation’s Dimona nuclear reactor.
According to a report in Israeli newspaper Maariv http://www.vosizneias.com/assets/images/icons/external_url2.jpg (http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART2/090/174.html?hp=0&loc=101&tmp=9022#after_maavaron): “…. workers at the Dimona reactor who submitted visa requests to visit the United States for ongoing university education in Physics, Chemistry and Nuclear Engineering — have all been rejected, specifically because of their association with the Dimona reactor.

This is a new policy decision of the Obama administration, since there never used to be an issue with the reactor’s workers from study in the USA, and till recently, they received visas and studied in the USA.”

Israeli defense officials are stating these workers have no criminal records in the U.S. or Israel and have been singled out purely because of their place of employment. Moreover, nuclear materials for the Dimona reactor apparently do not come from the U.S. Zeev Alfasi — head of nuclear engineering at Israel’s Ben Gurion University — states that “the United States doesn’t sell anything nuclear-related to the Dimona reactor, and that means absolutely nothing. Radiation detectors, for example, have to be purchased now in France because the USA refuses to sell these to Israel.”
http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2010/04/08/breaking-obama-administration-denies-visas-to-israeli-nuclear-scientists/ Is this one of the signs that the noose is getting tighter around Israel from Obama's administration and the overall relationship will start to shift?

[Mastermind]

Yes...Obama, the Muslim, will soon go after the Jewish state ...After November, when he is desperate for Jewish votes, that tune will change.

[Panchito12]

...After November, when he is desperate for Jewish votes, that tune will change.

Let's see who the Jewish vote will side with: (1) Obama or (2) Christian Republicans.

[MPNFL]

I'm sure this has nothing to do with his overall nuclear strategy...damn MOSlems.

[msnger]

yea definitely because he is a Muslim.

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

Let's see who the Jewish vote will side with: (1) Obama or (2) Christian Republicans.A lot of American Jewish folk are the nuts and bolts of the Democratic party so I just don't see the vote flipping over visa restrictions.

[Panchito12]

A lot of American Jewish folk are the nuts and bolts of the Democratic party so I just don't see the vote flipping over visa restrictions.


It's not the nuts & bolts of the Dems, it's that the other party is an avowed Christian party.

Jews, specially the uber-majority of them that are secular, are just not left with any other options.....and Obama knows that very well.

[Wiseman]

Why can't they study in Israel? I thought they have good universities there. Also, I thought employment in that place was secret and deniable and now they are showing that on resumes ( It's like saying you worked at Area 51)? I call bs on this. Where is the policy they are pointing to and what is the response from the US consulate in Israel to this assertion?

[AZZenny]

I imagine they can study in Russia, or a lot of other places. It's the broadly and openly across-the-board anti-Israel posture that seriously pisses me off -- and I'm a lifelong liberal who voted and donated for Obama. If the GOP can get its head out of Sara Palin's ass and put up anyone halfway sane in 2012, I'll bolt, and so will a lot of other people. If not -- I may just retire from voting for good.

[G-AWZT]

Yes...Obama, the Muslim, will soon go after the Jewish state ...After November, when he is desperate for Jewish votes, that tune will change.



Now that is going to be fun.

[Atlantic Friend]

Israeli defense officials are stating these workers have no criminal records in the U.S. or Israel and have been singled out purely because of their place of employment. Moreover, nuclear materials for the Dimona reactor apparently do not come from the U.S. Zeev Alfasi — head of nuclear engineering at Israel’s Ben Gurion University — states that “the United States doesn’t sell anything nuclear-related to the Dimona reactor, and that means absolutely nothing. Radiation detectors, for example, have to be purchased now in France because the USA refuses to sell these to Israel.”

Sounds like another move in the "let's pressure each other" game the US and Israel seem to be playing these days.

And I am shocked, shocked that Israel has to buy French radiation detectors. Don't they know we are rabid antisemites with a hard-on for Palestinian terrorists, for Chrissakes?

[RoyB]

Why can't they study in Israel? I thought they have good universities there.
???
People study and lecture at Universities overseas.. That's not a new trend.

Also, I thought employment in that place was secret and deniable and now they are showing that on resumes ( It's like saying you worked at Area 51)? I call bs on this.
Dimona is not just a textile factory but also has its own development labs. Also, Israel has a civilian nuclear reactor, although not in Dimona. And its not that hard to find out where one works.


And I am shocked, shocked that Israel has to buy French radiation detectors. Don't they know we are rabid antisemites with a hard-on for Palestinian terrorists, for Chrissakes?
You've been overly sarcastic lately.

[Kaplanr]

Even more important it's let you know it's another 30 minutes to Beer-Sheva.


. . . Dimona is not just a textile factory but also has its own development labs. Also, Israel has a civilian nuclear reactor, although not in Dimona. And its not that hard to find out where one works.

[GB_FXST]

Yes...Obama, the Muslim, will soon go after the Jewish state ...After November, when he is desperate for Jewish votes, that tune will change.

The Jewish vote is not the issue.

National Health Care may have already doomed Obama's chances in 2012.

Obama will be un-electable if his administartion succesfully pushes a national VAT.

I can only imagine what will happen if these rumblings and rumors about 401K government administration are true.

942 days.

[Atlantic Friend]

You've been overly sarcastic lately.

Have I? I guess it's the French disease, along with white flags and guillotine. p-)

More seriously, this visa story sounds like it's going to be solved in a few weeks/months, once Washington feels Jerusalem has felt its irritation long enough. There's the unexpected announcement of continuous settlement during Biden's visit, whose timing make it a slight for the US Administration, and now there's the expected retaliation. Israel is the Middle-East's France in this respect: that terribly irritating ally with whom there's always a little spat simmering because it only cares so much about what the bigger partner says or wants.

[Horizon]

p-)
Have I? I guess it's the French disease, along with white flags and guillotine.

More seriously, this visa story sounds like it's going to be solved in a few weeks/months, once Washington feels Jerusalem has felt its irritation long enough. There's the unexpected announcement of continuous settlement during Biden's visit, whose timing make it a slight for the US Administration, and now there's the expected retaliation. Israel is the Middle-East's France in this respect: that terribly irritating ally with whom there's always a little spat simmering because it only cares so much about what the bigger partner says or wants.

I accept the guillotine not the white flags, you want a revolution or what? p-)

[budgie]

Is this one of the signs that the noose is getting tighter around Israel from Obama's administration and the overall relationship will start to shift?

No need to blow it out of proportion. This is part of a typical diplomatic spat. The US will not abandon Israel under any administration. Simply taking a harder stance on the issue of settlements and Palestinian rights doesn't that America is changing sides. They're mediating, that means sometimes upsetting both parties.

[RoyB]

Academics should not be the ones to suffer because of political disagreements.

[IconOfEvi]

I can see the security concerns...while Israel IS an ally, they are a tad arrogant as to what their role and position is in the relationship. We've had enough spy problems and technology transfer problems from them.

[Lemonz]

If Jews in the U.s are that butt hurt over Obama standing up to Israel why bother lving in the U.S?

[Glaz]

I imagine they can study in Russia, or a lot of other places. It's the broadly and openly across-the-board anti-Israel posture that seriously pisses me off -- and I'm a lifelong liberal who voted and donated for Obama. If the GOP can get its head out of Sara Palin's ass and put up anyone halfway sane in 2012, I'll bolt, and so will a lot of other people. If not -- I may just retire from voting for good.
The only logical alternative to Obama would be a devout constitutionalist with a strong liking for a heavily curtailed government.

[GB_FXST]

If Jews in the U.s are that butt hurt over Obama standing up to Israel why bother lving in the U.S?

I just know that you are not insinuating that American citizens who happen to be Jewish have dual loyalties.

All citizens of the US enjoy the rights provided for under the US Constitution, specifically the Bill of Rights, including freedom of speech and the right of suffrage.

So in 2012, or the latest 2016, Obama will be out of office.

I predict 2012 because many Americans, not just Americans of the Jewish faith, think Obama is a terrible President. Foreign policy is one problem, but the most significant problem is the economy. National Health care, double digit unemployment, and a possible national VAT ... Americans of all types and stripes are unhappy with Obama.

939 days.

[RoyB]

I can see the security concerns...while Israel IS an ally, they are a tad arrogant as to what their role and position is in the relationship. We've had enough spy problems and technology transfer problems from them.
There have been spy problems and technology transfer problems from both sides. The only difference is that everybody just care about what Israel did.

If Jews in the U.s are that butt hurt over Obama standing up to Israel why bother lving in the U.S?
Yeah I'm sure the main concern for American-Jews is their president's attitude towards Israel..
Besides, its their home and there's no reason for them to leave it just because they and their administration don't see eye to eye. Its called democracy.

[IconOfEvi]

And what exactly have we sold off to other parties that Israel explicitly sold only to us? Its not a two way street. Thanks to Israel for example, now the PRC has Western 105mm guns on their tanks, as well as a swanky new fighter jet. I do not see what Israel ever sold to us that we then exported to a third party.

[RoyB]

And what exactly have we sold off to other parties that Israel explicitly sold only to us? Its not a two way street. Thanks to Israel for example, now the PRC has Western 105mm guns on their tanks, as well as a swanky new fighter jet. I do not see what Israel ever sold to us that we then exported to a third party.
I'd like to see you prove all of those 'third-party' sales Israel had done..
Israel only sells its own products, and have every right to. A lot of the times the deals are being canceled due to pressure from the US.