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Last update - 02:09 18/05/2009 The moment of truth is at hand By Yehuda Ben-Meir Tags: jimmy carter  The sad truth is that the State of Israel will face a confrontation with the Obama administration, irrespective of the public outcome of the meeting between the U.S. president and Israel's prime minister. The soothing statements being made on the hour by government spokesmen cannot hide the bitter truth or cover up the new reality that is taking shape in Washington. The writing is on the wall - or as the late foreign minister Moshe Dayan said during a serious dispute with the Carter administration: "I may only have one eye, but I'm not blind." It isn't pleasant, but anyone reading between the lines is beginning to understand that the Obama administration is becoming increasingly like the Carter administration. For 30 years, Israel has not had to deal with as difficult - sometimes even hostile - a U.S. administration as the Carter one. I can personally attest to the brutal style and blatant threats that characterized the relationship between Jimmy Carter and Menachem Begin. Indeed, Carter is someone whose beginnings can be seen in the way he has ended up. The Obama White House, meanwhile, has been accepting and welcoming of those who spent years arguing that American foreign policy has been enslaved to Israel's interests and is influenced by the Jewish lobby, but were unable to get a foot in the door during the Reagan, Clinton and Bush administrations. Even within the American Jewish community - which has been a loyal ally of Israel and the bastion of its support in the United States - there have arisen some influential groups that are no longer willing to back every position of the Israeli government. Advertisement But none of this means that Israel should give in. We have experienced difficult confrontations with the United Stats in the past, and we have emerged intact. Nonetheless, everything depends on the Israeli government's behavior, wisdom and policies. The dispute would inevitably have broken out in any case, but a government under Ehud Olmert or Tzipi Livni, or a genuine national unity government, could have stood up to the United States with greater ease than the current one. However, the Netanyahu government can also weather this confrontation, as long as it is clever enough to steer such a conflict toward issues on which there is a consensus in Israel, and which are widely supported in the United States and around the world. Moreover, it must radiate action rather than words, broadcasting the message that this is a government that is pursuing peace, not rejecting it. The U.S. Congress, American Jewry and American public opinion will support Israel - even over the opposition of a popular president - on anything related to rejecting the right of return and recognizing Israel as a Jewish state, as well as Jerusalem and the settlement blocs. However, very few will support Israel if it does not state clearly that the two-state solution is essential - first and foremost, for its own existence - and if it does not bring the double talk to an end once and for all, if it does not stop turning a blind eye and dragging its feet on matters pertaining to the settlements and the evacuation of outposts. The moment of truth for Benjamin Netanyahu is at hand. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Spies on Facebook Shin Bet warns militants may use Facebook to kidnap Israelis, recruit spies. Popular denial University of Haifa poll finds 40% of Israeli Arabs deny Holocaust happened.   1.   Basically right 04:42  |  arik 18/05/09   2.   Ben-Meir is Deluding Himself 14:47  |  Ben Israel 18/05/09   3.   Op-ed piece by Mr. Ben-Meir 16:43  |  CCM 18/05/09   4.   Obama should listen to Netanyahu 17:53  |  Nechama 18/05/09   5.   Re: arik 18:42  |  Joseph 18/05/09   6.   The moment of truth 20:41  |  Janis Berman 18/05/09   7.   American Jews will not stand to have a finger shaken at them 21:00  |  Sally 18/05/09

Read & React U.S. lawmakers to quiz Netanyahu over Palestinian state Responses: 124 Bradley Burston: Obama, Netanyahu, and two states for spoiled brats Responses: 67 Aluf Benn: Israel gives Obama until end of year on Iran Responses: 38 Researchers: Jerusalem will lose Jewish majority by 2035 Responses: 27 More Headlines 14:46 Shin Bet: No chance for peace while Hamas rules Gaza 16:15 Barak: Israel support for Palestinian statehood won't halt Iran 12:59 Hamas: Obama looks to maintain Israel as racist state 13:16 U.S. lawmakers to quiz Netanyahu on Palestinian statehood 14:37 High Court rules in favor of Reform conversions 23:47 IN PICTURES / Obama meets Netanyahu at the White House 10:31 Is Madonna bringing her 'Sticky & Sweet' tour to Israel? 00:06 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel 13:50 Who was the 'Menachem' whose ancient jug was found in Jerusalem? 16:33 Hamas leader Marzouk reportedly fired due to Syria and Iran pressure 14:07 Egyptian president's 12-year-old grandson dies 13:20 Obama to Netanyahu: New Mideast initiative soon 00:30 What Obama and Netanyahu really said to each other Previous Editions Select Day 18 may 17 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 10 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may

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