[Salon] US, Israel to Conduct Annual Tunnel Exercises Under House Plan - Bloomberg



I get condemned here for my ongoing effort to rebut right-wing propaganda in support of Trump, and indirectly therefore, of Israel’s fascists, while making it clear my criticism goes as well to right-wing Democrats. But, in a time of an ongoing genocide, I think it’s vitally important to know who those in particular carrying the "Israeli Fascist Banner” are. And who push any less zealous politicians to move even further to the "Right,” in support of Israel’s genocidal policies. So in spite of the criticism I receive, and I know many here support Trump’s policy of giving political/material “gifts" to Israel so that is to be expected; that to Rightists, is not only above reproach, but for many, like their preferred politicians J.D. Vance, Ramaswamy, DeSantis, as prominent examples of the “New Right,” is what they commend Trump most enthusiastically for!

But leaving my criticism aside, let’s give credit where it is due: Republicans get things done, for Israel! While on the subject, let’s recall some of Trump’s accomplishments, beginning with Trump placing Israel in CentCom, which led to these “Tunnel Exercises,” which wouldn’t be in the Plans, but for Trump: 
BLUF: "Pro-Israel groups that for years called on the Pentagon to include Israel within CENTCOM have welcomed the move. The Washington Institute for Near East for instance, which works to align US foreign policy with Tel-Aviv, said that Israel’s inclusion in Eucom was a “mismatch with the existing organizational boundaries.”

READ: Reviewing US policy on Palestine, with Professor Rashid Khalidi (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210210-memo-in-conversation-with-professor-rashid-khalidi-2/

"The pro-Israel group argued that the new arrangement would help CENTCOM respond to “common threats in a comprehensive manner”. Another influential pro-Israel lobby group, The American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) also welcomed the decision. “Moving Israel to @CENTCOM marks an important recognition by the Pentagon that Israel is truly a part of the Middle East” tweeted AIPAC. “As the U.S., Israel and our Arab allies confront a dangerous Iran, this move will strengthen the growing cooperation among our regional partners.”

That doesn’t even compare to all the other “treasures” Trump gave to Netanyahu and the Israeli fascist Right, of Kahanists, Netanyahuites, et al.:
BLUF: "According to the plan, Israel would annex “the vast majority” of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank which would be connected to the rest of Israel with their own access roads and a transportation system.

"Ninety-seven percent of Israelis living in the West Bank would be incorporated into Israeli territory.”

Trump was already fulfilling the Adelson’s wish for Israel’s annexation of the West Bank in his previous term, incrementally. Does anyone believe he won’t make it virtually total in a 2d term with Miriam requesting that of him, to "finish the job” of creating “Greater Israel?”  


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Title: US, Israel to Conduct Annual Tunnel Exercises Under House Plan - Bloomberg
ADOPTED: ' amendment requiring U.S. forces in CENTCOM to conduct counter-tunneling exercises with Israel.

Who is Jim Banks? 
So below the fruits of Trump’s policy can be seen, as contrary to Trumpite propagandists, the US is even more deeply embedded in the Israeli Military Industrial Complex, along with so many Republican Oligarchs, Thiel, Koch, Luckey, . . . , actively waging war on Israel’s behalf already. 

US and Israel Would Conduct Annual Tunnel Exercises Under House Plan

Pending House defense policy bill calls for first-ever drills House defense bill lauds US technology in Hamas tunnel search

In this photo taken during a controlled tour with the Israeli Military, IDF soldiers exit a tunnel built by Hamas in Northern Gaza on Jan. 7.

Photographer: Noam Galai/Getty Images

The latest draft of the House Armed Services Committee’s $895 billion defense spending bill would require the US to conduct joint exercises with Israel aimed at improving the countries’ ability to fight militants and smugglers in underground tunnels, part of a push to counter a key advantage of Hamas and other groups.

Section 1233 of the proposed legislation would “require military exercises in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to conduct an annual counter-tunneling exercise with Israel.” It would authorize an additional $30 million for research and technology in an ongoing “United States-Israel Anti-Tunnel Cooperation” project.

That’s on top of $323 million Congress has provided since 2016 when the effort started, according to the Congressional Research Service.

According to the pending legislation, US-funded technology initiatives developed by a little-known Pentagon “Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate” have enabled Israeli Defense Forces to discover “over 1,500 new tunnel shafts built under community structures including hospitals, schools, and homes in Gaza including 350 to 450 miles of tunnels,” since the war with Hamas that started October 7.

The unit’s international program “has produced technological advances in subterranean capabilities and monitoring, counter-unmanned aerial systems, maritime security, and robotics. Many of these technologies have been applicable to the Israel and Hamas conflict,” it said.

The bill kicks off negotiations on the annual defense policy legislation, considered must-pass because it authorizes Pentagon programs and pay for troops. The House is expected to consider the measure, and likely hundreds of amendments, in the coming days. The Senate Armed Services Committee will consider its version June 12.

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