US Did the Obama Admin. Intentionally Exclude Israel from a Major Counterterrorism Conference?

An Israeli newspaper is reporting that the U.S. blocked Israel’s participation in a meeting of the State Department’s flagship counterterrorism project, the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF). Considering Israel’s vast experience in fighting terror as a result of its frequent targeting by Palestinian terrorism, it’s surprising that Israel would be excluded from the meeting which took place on Friday in Istanbul. Globes reports:

A pro-Israeli source in Washington told “Globes” that Israel was excluded from the meeting because of fierce objections by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Israel tried hard to obtain an invitation to the meeting, and its exclusion, despite the tight US-Israeli intelligence ties, has greatly disappointed officials in Jerusalem.

The GCTF, one of the pillars of President Barack Obama’s antiterrorism campaign, was established in September 2011. The White House calls the forum as a wise use of force against terrorism, and chose Turkey as the forum’s joint chair, together with the US.

CONTINUED:  http://www.theblaze.com/stories/did-the-obama-admin-intentionally-exclude-israel-from-a-major-counterterrorism-conference/