Obama: Netanyahu doesn't understand Israel's best interests

[bud]

obama says that netanyahu doesn't understand israel's best interests and calls netanyahu a coward.

many say that obama, for his second term, is putting together a team that may finally be capable of dealing with the iranian and israeli problems. the team include chuck hagel and john kerry. two well-respected and experienced figures.

the rift between obama and netanyahu during obama's first term surfaced a few times and obama's frustration with netanyahu was shown again recently:

He (Obama) reportedly said that Netanyahu “doesn’t understand what Israel’s best interests are,” and that his conduct will drive Israel into grave international isolation.

Obama’s remarks were published by journalist Jeffrey Goldberg on the Bloomberg news website. Goldberg is considered to be close to the Obama administration and on several occasions during the past four years the White House has channeled public messages through him to Israel and the prime minister – regarding both the Palestinian and Iranian issues.

the latest message from obama comes after netanyahu decided to go ahead with the construction of illegal settlements on palestinian land in an area which were understood to be off limits by previous israeli prime ministers.

According to Goldberg, in the weeks after the Palestinian move at the United Nations, Obama has said in private conversations that “Israel does not know what its own best interests are.” Moreover, in Obama’s opinion with every announcement of new construction in the settlements, Netanyahu is leading his country towards near-total international isolation.

Goldberg writes that Obama believes that “if Israel, a small state in an inhospitable region, becomes more of a pariah – one that alienates even the affections of the U.S., its last steadfast friend – it won’t survive. Iran poses a short-term threat to Israel’s survival; Israel’s own behavior poses a long-term one.”

obama takes it even further, by calling netanyahu a coward. this, right before an election in israel. this could be a jab at netanyahu, after netanyau openly campaigned against obama during the recent u.s. elections.

On the Palestinian issue, Goldberg notes, Obama believes Netanyahu is “a political coward, an essentially unchallenged leader who nevertheless is unwilling to lead or spend political capital to advance the cause of compromise.”

despite calling netanyahu a coward, obama shows his own unwillingness to show some spine against the likud/aipac lobby by threatening the flow of the billions israel receives from the united states. something only one president has done before: In 1991, President George H.W. Bush briefly cut off loan guarantees to the Israeli government over their settlement policies, successfully forcing “Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir…to attend the Madrid Peace Conference.”

According to Goldberg, despite his frustration with Netanyahu, Obama does not intend to cut off military aid to Israel or to stop trying to frustrate Iran’s nuclear ambitions. However, with respect to diplomatic aid from the United States – at the UN or in the face of European initiatives – Israel is liable to feel a significant change in the near future. At the next vote in the UN, writes Goldberg, Israel could well find itself even more isolated.

Edited January 17, 2013 by bud

[Bonam]

It seems to me Obama has a difficult enough time figuring out America's best interests and trying to implement something towards those ends at home. A nation sinking in debt and failing to address the problem and instead adding even more debt seems to me not to be in an ideal position to criticize others over not acting in their own best interest.

Iran poses a short-term threat to Israel’s survival; Israel’s own behavior poses a long-term one.”

One can just as easily say the same about America, that it's own behavior poses the greatest long term danger to itself.

[sharkman]

This is what makes me wonder about the tendency of the American Jewish vote to be Dem. Obama is no friend of Israel, and he made the right noises during the election, but now the gloves are obviously coming off.

[BubberMiley]

Obama is no friend of Israel...

No, he's very much a friend of Israel. He's just not a friend of Netanyahu. There's a difference.

[Guest American Woman]

I'm not sure I believe that Obama said all that is being claimed; it's basically an account from senior White House officials to a journalist who then quotes Obama. I'm always suspicious of such "quotes."

[Bonam]

I'm not sure I believe that Obama said all that is being claimed; it's basically an account from senior White House officials to a journalist who then quotes Obama. I'm always suspicious of such "quotes."

True, a lot is often lost or misinterpreted in such games of telephone.

[DogOnPorch]

True, a lot is often lost or misinterpreted in such games of telephone.

Especially that purple monkey dishwasher remark. I mean...REALLY....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP_pDXBOSBI

[sharkman]

I'm not sure I believe that Obama said all that is being claimed; it's basically an account from senior White House officials to a journalist who then quotes Obama. I'm always suspicious of such "quotes."

And this ineffective method seems to be one that the administration favours. It's silly, really. Get something controversial out there that you can later deny, but in the mean time you get to jerk the chain of the party(Israel) you're trying to manipulate. And this is what "a friend to Israel" does to its closest ally in the region.

[GostHacked]

And this ineffective method seems to be one that the administration favours. It's silly, really. Get something controversial out there that you can later deny, but in the mean time you get to jerk the chain of the party(Israel) you're trying to manipulate. And this is what "a friend to Israel" does to its closest ally in the region.

I think the manipulation is happening the other way around.

[DogOnPorch]

I think the manipulation is happening the other way around.

So Israel actually controls the US? Interesting.

[guyser]

I think the manipulation is happening the other way around.

Israel funds more than half of the US defence budget?

[GostHacked]

So Israel actually controls the US? Interesting.

Manipulation does not mean control, it means influence. Yes Israel does influence American politics. We have seen that during the last election where the Dems made it part of their platform.

[sharkman]

What part? I agree that they made it part of their talking points.

[Guest American Woman]

So Israel actually controls the US? Interesting.

Israel controls the U.S. - the U.S. controls Israel - all at the same time.

[Guest American Woman]

This is what makes me wonder about the tendency of the American Jewish vote to be Dem. Obama is no friend of Israel, and he made the right noises during the election, but now the gloves are obviously coming off.

Assuming that Obama did say what he's been quoted as saying, and again, I have my doubts, I recall a top aide to Canada's prime minister referring to GW Bush as "a moron." Does that mean Canada is not a friend to the U.S.?

Edited January 18, 2013 by American Woman

[GostHacked]

Assuming that Obama did say what he's been quoted as saying, and again, I have my doubts, I recall a top aide to Canada's prime minister referring to GW Bush as "a moron." Does that mean Canada is not a friend to the U.S.?

Nope, just means GW Bush is a moron.

[Canuckistani]

Nope, just means GW Bush is a moron.

Well, he was. He's irrelevant now.

[Hudson Jones]

I'm not sure I believe that Obama said all that is being claimed; it's basically an account from senior White House officials to a journalist who then quotes Obama. I'm always suspicious of such "quotes."

We will never know for sure, but it's more than likely that Obama is using Goldberg to relay his message of disapproval. This wouldn't be the first time that Obama has shown his dislike for Netanyahu. He was also heard (in a recording) speaking negatively about him to Sarkozy.

Goldberg is considered to be close to the Obama administration and on several occasions during the past four years the White House has channeled public messages through him to Israel and the prime minister – regarding both the Palestinian and Iranian issues.

The messages in Goldberg’s column, which apparently came from a briefing by top officials at the White House, are very similar to those that appeared in a column by political pundit Peter Beinert a few weeks ago, in which he described the White House’s lack of trust in and frustration with Netanyahu.

Edited January 18, 2013 by Hudson Jones

[dre]

I dont think Obamas alledged comments are even contraversial. Its definately not in Israels best interests to steal land and resources. The "political coward" comment is a little suprising though.

[Guest American Woman]

We will never know for sure, but it's more than likely that Obama is using Goldberg to relay his message of disapproval. This wouldn't be the first time that Obama has shown his dislike for Netanyahu. He was also heard (in a recording) speaking negatively about him to Sarkozy.

Except Obama isn't showing his dislike for Netanyahu; Goldberg is. If Obama disapproves of him, why doesn't he just come out and directly say so? - say what he thinks, and what he believes isn't in Israel's best interest? Although such a determination is up to Israel ..... and only Israel.

From what I've read, this 'disclosure' by Goldberg could very well be working in Netanyahu's favor.

[DogOnPorch]

No worries...Chuck is on the case.

[-TSS-]

Nope, just means GW Bush is a moron.

I have never been of the popular opinion here in Europe that Americans are morons. After all, the Americans put a man on the moon.

Having said all this, I can't blame the Europeans for thinking that Americans are morons. The re-election of George W Bush is a perfect example of that claim.

[Guest American Woman]

I have never been of the popular opinion here in Europe that Americans are morons. After all, the Americans put a man on the moon.

Having said all this, I can't blame the Europeans for thinking that Americans are morons. The re-election of George W Bush is a perfect example of that claim.

The re-election of George W Bush is a perfect example of that claim.

While the re-election of Blair is proof of the superior intelligence of Brits. I'm sure that's what y'all think there in Europe, right? But of course you don't think Americans are morons. That much is crystal clear.

Edited January 19, 2013 by American Woman

[sharkman]

I would submit that we are more of a friend under Harper than we were under Chretien. As for what Obama says, I suppose the best indications would be his actions, and we'll have to wait and see what transpires.

Edited January 19, 2013 by sharkman

[Hudson Jones]

Except Obama isn't showing his dislike for Netanyahu; Goldberg is.

Not really. You got it wrong. According to Goldberg (and Peter Beinert), Obama has been showing dislike for Netanyahu.

As mentioned before, Obama has shown his displeasure for Netanyahu before.

"I can't stand him. He's a liar," Sarkozy said of Netanyahu, according to the website.

Obama replied, "You're tired of him; what about me? I have to deal with him every day,"

CNN

Edited January 19, 2013 by Hudson Jones