According to reports, a senior American security official told officials representing the security establishment and the Foreign Ministry that he does not want Israeli security agents to inspect the vehicles of American diplomatic officials, explaining “what if there is a settler among them. I don’t want him to land out like [the late Prime Minister Yitzchak] Rabin”.
The damaging remark was not made by just anyone, but Tim Lass, who oversees security for the American Consulate in Jerusalem. He made his remarks during a meeting with Inspector-General Meir Ben-Yishai, a senior security official in Israel Police.
It appears that an incident a number of weeks ago near a Jenin crossing prompted the meeting since Israeli security officials insisted on inspecting American diplomatic vehicles, vehicles assigned to the US Consulate.
When asked to present identification, security officials in the vehicles refused to comply, unwilling to open the doors or windows of the armored vehicles. Neither side would capitulate, resulting in a backup at the checkpoint for a number of hours. One of the drivers of the consular convoy, an Arab, attempted to run over one of the Israeli security personnel while another security agent made unacceptable gestures to an Israeli female security agent. Israel had information that the diplomatic convoy was actually smuggling a PA illegal in a vehicle, prompting the inspection.
Lass told Ben-Yishai that consular vehicles are not “Coca Cola trucks” and it is simply unacceptable to expect them to open vehicles for a routine inspection.
Nevertheless, Ben-Yishai told the media the American acted inappropriately, with Foreign Ministry officials adding that Lass did indeed apologize for the behavior of his security personnel at the crossing.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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9 Responses
Given the State Department’s historic antagonism to Israel, and the fact that Israel has very little reason to suspect the United States is planning to start sponsoring a terrorist attack against Israel, Israel should probably drop the matter. Israel needs the US, a lot more than the reverse.
If the issue is “counsular” versus “diplomatic” (i.e. embassy) status, Israel might want to be very insistent since they would be saying “of course we don’t search embassy vehicles, so perhaps you might want to move your embassy to Jerusalem”. But again, why bite the hand the feeds.
Interestingly enough, it is significant that the State Department believes that Rabin was assassinated by someone working for Israeli intelligence (rather than the official story that it was a rogue individual who slipped by security).
I am an American. I guess that the Obama Administration wants to do their own security…the same people who did the security in Lebonon…the same people who did security at Fort Hood and with 9/11 and the Christmas plane bomber. if you look at who has the better record for most secure…you would be better to have the Israeli’s do it. OR do a joint security with selected USA and Israeli teams
Oh boy akuperma, you are in your form today. You got to ready to respond to all of the “propaganda”, now don’t you.
“American Does Not Trust Israeli Security in Israel”. Where else would Israeli Security be besides…ISRAEL?!? Why does it have to is in Israel? Which dumb person doesn’t know that?
The story points out the EXACT reason why the Izzys should do the security. They are worried about some yid when they were with an arab yemach sh’moy who tried running someone over!!!!!!!
Idiot Americans!!!!
the american state department loves arabs so this obama administration trusts the araba but not jews
what dose tell you to me it tells me not to trust the americans YEMACH SH’MOM. they will go the way of the arabs in the adumah
Jenin is not Israel. Duh.
Uh Mr. Levin, I would respectfully disagree with your assertion that the Americans are idiots. The American people have arisen and we are able to see right before our eyes that conservatism is on the ascendancy. Rather, let’s call the bureaucrats at Foggy Bottom idiots because they are a bunch of idiots led by her Rotteness herself.
Flatbush Bubby,
I stand corrected however only partially. I will continue to say that those involved are indeed American Idiots.