Analysis: Israel wants the bribe but not the responsibility

JTA- If I've got the narrative wrong, someone please tell me:

--Twenty F-35s, the state of the art combat aircraft, were in the pipeline for Israel.

--The Obama administration offered another 20 F-35s, among other deal sweeteners, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would extend the settlement freeze another 90 days;

--There was a U.S. offer, in writing, negotiated by top U.S. and Israeli officials, ready to go; then Netanyahu wanted the Americans to include a declaration not opposing building in eastern Jerusalem. The Americans wouldn't give.

--The deal is now off the table.

--Netanyahu's aide, Ron Dermer, thinks the extra 20 planes may still be on the table.

From the New York Times:

As part of the incentive package, Israel was expecting to get an additional 20 stealth war planes, beyond the 20 it had already ordered. Even though the settlement freeze deal is now off the table, the Israeli officials said the request for the extra F-35 planes still stood, so that the Israel military could maintain its qualitative edge.

“I don’t rule out the possibility that we will get the additional 20 planes,” Mr. Dermer said.

My question: For what? Read more