Satirical Onion Article Accidentally Predicts Actual News Headline

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Following agreement on Obama’s much-anticipated deal to reduce Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for lifted sanctions (that the president himself originally promoted and imposed), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was publicly incensed. In predictable jest, The Onion published an article last Tuesday—as the deal was reached— titled, “U.S. Soothes Upset Netanyahu With Shipment Of Ballistic Missiles.” It joked that to pacify the saber-rattling leader, Obama sent him a special shipment of weapons—mocking the United States’ sizable contributions to its favorite ally in the region.

The very next day, Israeli newspaper Haaretz published a real story called “After Vienna accord, Obama offers military upgrade to help Israel swallow bitter Iranian deal.”

Though Netanyahu ultimately rejected the offer—likely out of spite over his public disdain for the deal (compounded with the fact that the United States has already extensively enabled the nation’s arsenal)—the Onion article was dangerously close to reality. This coincidence is a reflection of the dangerous relationship between the United States and Israel. Israeli interests dominate Congress with lobbyist funds and political pressure, leading politicians across the board to universally endorse Israel and defend its actions in spite of the country’s repeated human rights violations.

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