US Doubts Israel’s Claims of Syrian Chemical Weapons Use
Kerry Pushes for More Rebel Aid Anyhow
In a world where “Israel said so” is often seen as the only proof needed, US officials are expressing an unusual level of doubt today, saying they are “not persuaded” by Israeli claims Syria has used chemical weapons.
The claims came at a Tel Aviv conference, where Brig. Gen. Itai Brun claimed Syria had “repeatedly” used sarin nerve gas, and accused the US of ignoring its own “red line” on military intervention in Syria.
As with all of these claims, which have been floating around off and on for months, there is no proof to be had, and Secretary of State John Kerry reportedly pressed Benjamin Netanyahu on the matter, who said he couldn’t confirm anything about the general’s claim.
Still, Kerry is not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, and he cited the “chemical weapons threat” today in his latest exhortation for Western nations to throw more money at Syria’s rebels.
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curmudgeonvt
April 23rd, 2013 at 8:24 pm
"…Kerry is not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, and he cited the “chemical weapons threat” today in his latest exhortation…"
And to think I almost began to think that Kerry (Obama) was actually going to tell Israel to phugoff. If there were any chemicals being used I'm sure Israel knows their exact provenance, down to the serial numbers, where they originated, and how much the shipment cost in US Congressional Dollars, of course.
RickR30
April 23rd, 2013 at 8:56 pm
How dare US officials doubt? Everyone knows that when you've gotta know the truth about what's going on in Syria, Iran, and everywhere else in the middle east, only the israelis know, because they're israelis and are by birth security, terrorism, weapons, and self-defense experts. Where's lindsey boy and senile retard mccain demanding we immediately bomb Syria. I'm disappointed.
mojo
April 23rd, 2013 at 9:57 pm
The scenario played like this…, I say a word you guess what is leading to…, like I say.., lies.., and then you say…, Israel. Or I say lies.., then you say…, money.., I say money then you say Israel…, I say Israel.., then you say.., war, war, war, war, apartheids.., the you say Israel.., and continue following the above.
jinx77
April 24th, 2013 at 2:51 am
isreal has used phosphorus weapons against the pals and Lebanon…FACT
all those zionists ever do is lie and loot….
wake up world
Steve Naidamast
April 24th, 2013 at 7:01 am
Despite all the hype, if you have followed Obama with his dealings with the current "regime" in Israel he has been very reticent to support their most egregious desires such as an attack on Iran. Obama now may be the only president since Eisenhower to thwart some of the Israeli grip on the US' mid-east policy.
This is not to say that he has not caved everywhere else but looking at his tactics such compromising may have been part of a larger agenda whereby he could begin to extricate the US from Israeli involvement from our foreign affairs.
Kerry may be blowing more wind for the Syrian insurgents but that could just be more hot air to appear favorable to the Israelis. However, it has also been recently documented that Israel does not really want to see the Assad regime fall so one has to ask why then would the US support its opponents in the region. An interesting anomaly…
dsafadsf
April 24th, 2013 at 10:24 am
Allegation made that phosphorus charges are used by 'rebels' as incinerators to destroy carcasses and thus physical evidence of foreign fighters…but 'rebels' are dying at such rapid speed there seems to be fewer examples of burned bodies. phosphorous charges 'homemade' have been allegedly found by SAA on dead 'rebels'
as far as recent chem weapons, the most recent cited was allegedly on the back of a homemade missile fired from FSA territory at an SAA checkpoint in the suburbs of Aleppo. the allegation for symptoms -foaming mouths- was some form of a chlorine bomb. which explained the limited impact…as opposed to a wmd which should have more generalized/mass kill zone…also Syrian Republic called for UN investigation handing over field data. UN acknowledged request was made, but has failed to act or expand on the subject.
So, what's possibly going on? Jordan opens airspace; Israel asserts WMD being used; US dumps truck loads of cash/fuel; EU opens up oil exports from FSA "occupied" land; SAA have record kills, effectively labeled their Spring "surge"
For all purposes it looks like rebels are on the run and outside instigators are trying to counter…but Western aid appear more like band-aid mentality that skirts reality.