US-Israeli spat ends, but may have long-term effects

Neil Turner

I wonder if the US will ask permission from Israel to build homes in Washington DC ?

Jerusalem has been the Israeli capital for 3000 years. It has never, ever, been the capital of a Palestinian State. In fact, there has never, ever been a Palestinian state

All we see here is blatent anti-semitism and bullying of little Israel

DavidDP

One would hope that among the effects would be the suspension of settlement expansion and building. Bibi needs to grow up; he's not his elder brother and he never will be.

Tiresias

Daniel

I think you need to clarify the date of the survey that showed 70% seeing Israel as an ally: August 2010 would suggests prognostication rather than survey.

If US opinion is a point of inflection is this matched by some similar shift in Israeli opinion in response to the growing tension? It is worrying element of the world view of the US Adminstration that toughness is demonstrated to allies rather than to enemies.

Vulcan princess

“But in a separate survey in August 2010 year, a whopping 70 percent of Americans rated Israel as an ally. That’s a real drop.” – projecting into future?
Yes, military lobby is the strongest and the Foreign Policy published an article about GEN P and his frustrations but he never asked for Israel to be part of his AOR—he testified on the Hill the other day re that commentary! Israel needs to get its own house in order and Obama needs a good strategy something both Freidman and Kagan echoed in their recent articles.
On the other hand, Haaretz reported that Knesset Member Michael Ben Ari of the far-right National Union party recently hung a poster with a picture in which Obama looks like he is bowing to a Gulf prince. Wonder if he has the kissy kissy picture of Clinton-Arafat or the clutching hands picture of Bush and Abdullah? I have them if someone wants them :)

Murgatroyd

The signs look promising that Bibi will tell Obama and his ill-assorted hench personnel to lump it.

What this does for peace in the region is anybody's guess, but as the US/Europe have been making such a mess of it for decades, these latest developments only add spice to the already quite heady mix, increasing Bibi's popularity both at home and overseas as a side effect.

Must be high time to bring back the eighties and hair-standing-on-ends videos to accompany the approaching rapture! Wham anyone?

LothianTory

Neil,

While not wishing to get into the Israeli/Palestinian conflict too much, it is just not accurate to say that Jerusalem has been the Israeli capital for 3000 years but never the capital of a Palestinian state.

Jerusalem wasn't a capital of Israel during the Roman period, as there was no independent Jewish state to have a capital of - and in the 130s A.D. and after the 3rd Jewish revolt the Jews were eventually expelled and the city repopulated. From this point the Romans began to use the term Palestine to refer to the region rather than Judea. It remained a Roman provincial capital until the Muslim conquest of the 7th Century. Fast forward to the Middle Ages and the city served as variously an Arab/Muslim capital and a Christian/Crusader capital. It's present designation as Israeli capital only came about in the 1940s, so if you wished to see this evan as re-establishing an independent Jewish/Israeli capital then that would need to been refering to the last time Judea/Israel was an independent power - which was as a client state of Rome, prior to Roman annexation of 6 A.D.

I'm not at all anti-Israel, far from it, but please get your historical facst right before using them in a political debate.

Joseph Alan Jones

Listening to the BBC world service, during the night. It is quite clear that the present UK government and the E U are strongly pro Arab. It is equally clear that they are not pro Israel. The Arab states have made it very clear that they wish to destroy the Jews. The logic is clear, Israel is on its own. Is it not that evil will succeed if good men watch and do nothing. They will of course say they are sorry after it is all over. Words are so easy!!

Greenslime

Neil Turner. Did you write the Japanese history books too?

William

Israel will survive as long as it can escalate the cost of killing Jews beyond what the Arabs want to pay.

Neil Turner

Greenslime

I Don't know anything about Japanese history, and don't particularly want to

But I do know there was never a country called Palestine - just a region

There's a region called the Black Country in the Midlands, but I don't hear them asking for Statehood

As there was never a country, there was no currency, and no government.

I also know that there are no Palestinian people, per se. There are Arabs living in a region that historically has been called many things, including "Palestine"

I know that the whole Palestinian issue is manufactured to destroy Israel, nothing more, nothing less

David Preiser

The row isn't over. The US has blocked a shipment of bunker-buster bombs that was part of a joint arms agreement. Not a big deal, really, just payback for the perceived slight. But who can be surprised by any actions from a President who has alienated every single US ally, while bowing to or even embracing every tin-pot dictator around? And with a Secretary of State whose husband, when President himself, was ready to sell Israel down the river. Why would Israel trust the US at all these days?

Israel may not be perfect, and the constant settlement building isn't helpful, sure. But it's impossible to expect any real support from a US President who spent 20 years attending a church where the preacher condemned Israel and the Jewish Lobby.

He may have two Jews working for him in key posts, but consider their roles: fixers, arm-twisters. They're the two worst characters in His administration, but useful in a fight. Sums up many peoples' view of Israel, come to think of it.

This relationship was doomed from the start. Many people in the US with anti-Israel feelings (which are partly connected to anti-Jewish sentiment) have been waiting for the right moment to lash out.

Perhaps, though, this will show some people that the dreaded Jewish Lobby so many people are always blaming for things isn't as powerful or nefarious as they think. Two Jews working in high places at the White House, yet the President isn't beholden to Israel at all times. Anyone's eyes opened yet?

CG

I have always been a strong supporter of Israel but its recent behaviour is pushing me away. What do they think it the long term prognosis? Do the leaders really think that they can be effetively in a state of war for ever and ever? The only hope they have long term is for an independent Palestine state. If this was achieved it would take the wind out of Iranian sails immediately. Netanyahu is the best friend that the Mad Mullahs have got.

Desperate Dan

Iran and North Korea take note. Insult the weak contemptuous US and its spineless citizens and they'll declare themselves your greatest friends. Show that you despise them and their interests and they'll send you vast quantities of weapons and US taxpayers' cash.

Austin Barry

According to the Debka Report, neither the US nor Israel will mention Obama's main condition for resuming normal relations: an Israeli commitment to refrain from attacking Iran's nuclear program without prior US consent.

"Because that commitment has not been offered,(US)officials are continuing to hammer Israel in every possible arena. Indeed, the gloves are now off in earnest for insinuations that Israel's settlement policy is the root-cause of Iran's drive for a nuclear bomb and of the conflicts endangering American lives in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq."

As ever, Israel is the cause of all the World's ills and indeed I suspect a Zionist hand behind my unbelievable string of losses at Cheltenham this week.

Percy

Can't Mr Tony help to sort this out?

Paul

The longer Obama is in office, the less he impresses me. If he thinks that Israel is the enemy he is an ignoramus.

Percy

Or Lady Thingy from the EU?

djw2009

>>>There are many powerful lobbies in the US, but none as powerful as the military.

Is that meant to be a funny remark? Daniel Korski, a Zionist himself, will be in no doubt what the really powerful lobby in the US is. Does anyone get the feeling that we are getting lobbied by "the Lobby" merely by reading these blogs?

CG

So does Austin Barry think that Israel should control America's foreign policy? Don't you think that elected American governments would be in the best position to determine their own national interest? And nobody's interest, least of all Israel's, will be served by an attack on Iran, which would be a suicidal step.

Vulcan princess

All, you should get your facts prior to commenting. The Arab regimes today are more flexible than they have been in years. Prior to Biden's visit, they unanimously called on the Palestinians to start a new round of negotiations with Israel. Many have come around on the issue and would very much like to see peace in the Middle East. Bottom line, they realized that there is no good reason for it anymore and no one longer profits from this war. These days, the Arabs fear the terrorists of al-Qaida (i.e. AQAP and AQI) and Iran's leadership, with its fanatical rhetoric and nuclear program, as much as the Israelis do. What has happened is a serious setback and right now all Hillary and Mitchell can do is what Baker did two decades ago, hand Israelis the White House switchboard number and tell them call when you're serious about peace. On the other hand, for two years Hamas didn’t fire any rockets. After this does anyone seriously believe the situation will stay calm?Israeli gov is deliberately ignoring this historic opportunity and is satisfied with the status quo!

Yosemite Sam

I am not a jew, but I have always supported Israel's right to exist within secure borders. But, goodness, Israel's politicians do make it hard sometimes. I think CG has it correct. What is Israel's longterm aim? I cannot believe that the israelis want to go on in this state of war, or semi-war, for the foreseeable future, but neither do they give any indication of what final outcome will be acceptable. No wonder even very close allies like the USA get exasperated.

adrian drummond

Could someone explain why my post from earlier has not yet been published? I can't see how it was in any way offensive or provocative. I mentioned the powerful Jewish lobby on Washington DC but I spent two years working there and know how influencial they are.

I'd appreciate an answer

djw2009

It must be admitted by all that Barack Obama's policy towards his allies is very bizarre. Does he try regime modification in China? No. But the Telegraph reported today that he wants to modify the government in Israel. His attitude towards the UK stinks to high heaven too. What is this man on?