RSS Feed MenuHere’s a link to my latest column for Moment magazine, on the troubled future of US-Israel relations.
Obama may be tempted to frame the coming debate as a personal contest between himself and Netanyahu, just as Clinton did, in the hope that his popularity within the American Jewish community will isolate him from criticism. If Obama chooses this option, he is peddling fantasies, not peace; Netanyahu speaks not only for himself, but for the majority of an Israeli public that has learned caution from bitter experience.
RLHotchkiss // May 7, 2009 at 10:18 pm
It has often been argued that the United States and Israel’s interest are not compatible. And some instances such as Israel’s attack on the Suez canal certainly complicated matters for the United States this has not generally been true.But now the time has finally come when it may indeed be true. This not like it was during the Clinton administration. The biggest threat to the United States is not a nuclear armed Iran but a failed state or Taliban type state in Pakistan. We simply can not risk war with Iran at this moment or allow Israel to destabilize Iran.The hard truth is that Israel got themselves into this situation by putting settlers into the occupied territories. They are going to have to make a peace with the Palestinians. The reality is that they are hoping to hold out for better terms than they could now get. People have long said that Arafat left the best possible deal on the table. The hard reality is that Sharon by physically threatening the desecration of the mosque on the holy mount may have thrown away the best deal Israel was going to get.It is in our interest to have this matter settled quickly, It is not in our interest either way who gets the better deal.There are consequences for occupying another people. Israel can’t occupy the land of over a million people and expect the security that they would have as a European country. They have to accept the consequences of their actions.
RLHotchkiss // May 7, 2009 at 10:29 pm
The hard truth for neocons, is it unlikely that insanely conservative Iran would have risked such a precipitous run for nuclear status if Bush hadn’t destroyed Iraq and made it clear that Iran had nothing to lose by seeking a nuclear deterrent.I feel sure when the history of Israel is written the invasion of Iraq will be seen as the pivotal moment, how pivotal remains to be seen.
ottovbvs // May 8, 2009 at 4:55 am
Actually this column which David links to totally misrepresents the political situation on Israel where Netanyahu is is deeply distrusted my a large bloc of the Israeli public. If you have any doubts check out the election results which show the electorate as deeply fractured. I also know this from email contact with a couple of friends of mine who live in Israel and with I have email exchanges. I don’t doubt there is going to be a rebalancing of relations between the US and Israel and during any negotiations to secure a settlement the US will pressure both the Palestinians and the Israelis. That’s how negotiations work. Apparently David believes any pressure on the Israelis is off limits as is implied by his headline. And btw what is it with all this Chicago stuff. A whole city, one of the greatest and most well run in the whole US, is condemned in a sort of guilt by association tactic. The idea that politics in Chicago are any more hardball than they are in Texas is an illusion.
midcon // May 8, 2009 at 5:17 am
The situation in the Middle East has festered for such a long time that it is essentially the status quo. Neither side wins. Neither side loses. Both sides continue to be able to make an advocacy business case due to the relatively low casualty rates. They profit as result of the continuation of the conflict. This will not change until a catastrophic event demolishes the status quo. Several throusand years ago, the great flood was catalyst for such a change. Today, something decidedly more man-made. Of course I usually skip over the articles about the Middle East because the contents usually are about killing each other. While each side seeks to profit, it is no longer newsworthy to me. Talk to me when the story changes. Today, it’s just reruns.
Bulldoglover100 // May 8, 2009 at 5:33 am
Peddling fantasies? Really? Since that is the option that George Bush utilized when dealing with this same situation are you now admitting that Bush peddled fantasy?
sinz54 // May 8, 2009 at 9:33 am
I’m not worried about Obama strong-arming Netanyahu.Netanyahu speaks flawless English, and he’s popular with the American media. He’ll have no trouble taking his case to the American public. And Israel still retains support from the American public. According to Rasmussen, if Israel attacks Iran, 49% say that America should aid Israel with its operation, while only 37% say we should not.That’s a very different story from those hedge fund managers, who are among the least-admired folks in America right now.
A.B. // May 8, 2009 at 11:36 am
“Beilin shouldnt get so excited. Netanyahus last prime ministership was hardly one of nationalist last stands.” (DF) Indeed. Nor will he now, there is much hyperventilation among his critics. I certainly hope the administration takes your advice, the Clinton approach was…sordid. Let us hope everyone has learned from that.
tommyj7648 // May 8, 2009 at 2:51 pm
George Washington on Israel”A passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter without adequate inducement or justification.” ~George Washington Farewell Address “The nation which indulges toward another habitual hatred or habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interests.” ~ George Washington”Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
ottovbvs // May 9, 2009 at 5:26 am
sinz54 9:33 AM…..You love those slanted Rasmussen polls don’t you. If it gets into a p$#@ contest between Obama and Netanyahu I think I know whose going to win. Particularly since we can be 100% sure that Netanyahu’s principal front men will be those most respected and trusted figures in US politics: Rove, Cheney, Gingrich, Limbaugh, Kristol, etc. Even Bush wasn’t stupid enough to let Israel mount an attack on Iran so I hardly think Obama will.