The Obama Administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are often keen to insist they see “eye to eye” on virtually all matters, but despite the White House eagerness to downplay it, there is clearly an ongoing dispute of some sort.
The latest addition to an increasingly public fight, centering on the two not meeting during Netanyahu’s upcoming visit, is that President Obama decided to go on the Late Show with David Letterman instead.
It’s hard to blame Obama in that regard. He’s got a presidential election in two months, and Letterman is considerably less likely to shout at him than Netanyahu, who berated US Ambassador Dan Shapiro in front of Rep. Mike Rogers (R – MI) on a recent visit.
It of course goes a lot deeper than that. There are any number of splits both on the policy front and on the personal front that seem to be coming to a head, from lingering anger over the timing of 2010 settlement announcements, right ahead of high profile US visits, to a very public, very cozy relationship between Netanyahu and Mitt Romney.
Iran is in this too, of course. Israel seems to have been all set on attacking Iran in the next 8 weeks and figured it was more or less “managing” US opposition before Gen. Martin Dempsey’s speech blew up the plan and virtually obliged Israel to back down. Defense Minister Ehud Barak seems ok on that front, and has transitioned to talking up another Gaza War. Netanyahu, however, hang his whole foreign policy hat on attacking Iran and seems disoriented, paranoid and angry at the change. Where do they go from here?
Reports are that Obama has called up Netanyahu to try to mend fences, but analysts are warning that Netanyahu may be the one who needs to be more concerned about this split, as his ability to keep the US leadership more or less in his back pocket is vital for his domestic political standing.
In the end neither side is likely to tell the public the truth about this dispute, and how much of this is about Iran and how much is about David Letterman is an open question.
Gotta give Obama credit if he's actually standing up to Netanyahu… and before an election, too?
If US was free country, free for Zionist,….if US government served US people…if "dual citizenship – US/Israel" people did not hold key positions – than US would not be solving these kind problems.
Its well known fact, that US Govermnent is MOST IMPORTENT ISRAELI OCCUPAID TERRITORY.
Its also tragedy in making not only for ignorant americans, but for the Whole World…peter czech
Netanyahu is playing hard ball in order to up the offer by Obama on what Israel will get in terms of money, weapons, and promised UN vetos, for not attacking Iran before the elctions. After pocketing the loot, Israel will still attack Iran and involve the US. anyway, just a little latter. With America involved in a real fight, no one will be able to question how America got into the mess.
America doesn't need more war. Israel apparently can't get enough. There's only one way to 'satisfy' Israel: Start killing people or give them the 'green light' to start killing people. That is why this dispute should not be ended until we have made our choice loud and clear: No more war!
Hello Bibi? Barack here. Remember all that money and missiles I promised you before my re-election?
Well, after re-evaluating your position concerning the US and Gov. Romney. I can now only offer you an aspirin. Place on left knee, hold with right knee and go sit in the corner and shut up. I'll call if I need anything. If you need any ca$h, I'm sure Gov. Romney or Sheldon Adelson will take care of you. Tell your successor to give me a call. Oh, and if your American bought military decides to wander out of its own sandbox, they are on their own.
Regards!