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Last update - 13:49 18/06/2009
Lieberman trying to soften his image abroad
By Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: netanyahu, clinton, Lieberman 
One of the latest surveys in the U.S. suggests a sharp, 20 percent drop in support for Israel.

There is no doubt that the speech of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Bar-Ilan University contributed to a smooth landing for Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in Washington.

In fact, his first visit to Washington as foreign minister began with near perfect calm, despite criticism in the press since his electoral success in which Lieberman was called controversial, an extreme right-winger and a racist.

The few media outlets that covered the story of his visit did so professionally though the journal Foreign Affairs reminded its readers that Lieberman is a controversial figure on the right who rejects a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problem and who had paraphrased the Roman adage that whoever wants peace must prepare for war.
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There is curiosity about his style, but expectations in terms of the substance of his visit were limited. Communications between Washington and Jerusalem are being handled mostly on the Obama-Clinton-Netanyahu track, and through U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell. Moreover, senior officials in the U.S. administration have made their position clear and refused to talk about details and specific definitions or respond to questions on how the U.S. understands the concept of "natural growth" in the settlements, or about what "demilitarization" of a future Palestinian state could mean to Israel.

The U.S. officials stick to the line that these questions are the reason for negotiations, that the two sides need to decide themselves the details of the future agreement.

The pundits believe Lieberman will work hard to be charming and to avoid at all cost a confrontation with the U.S. administration. From Lieberman's point of view, this visit is an opportunity to soften his image in Washington and perhaps also manage to improve Israel's image.

It is perhaps not surprising that the Israeli Embassy cordially turned down all requests by the main networks for a one-on-one interview with the foreign minister. Lieberman will have to make do with a joint press conference with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton - a low-key one at that.

In the press, commentary about the pressure that was brought to bear on Netanyahu during his recent visit to Washington was relaced by consideration of Lieberman's background. For example, the Washington Post mentioned a 1979 State Department document that concluded the settlements were illegal. The article said it is doubtful Clinton would raise the document during her meeting with Lieberman, in view of the fact that he, too, is a settler.

One of the latest surveys in the U.S. suggests a sharp, 20 percent drop in support for Israel. A survey done for Project Israel nine months ago showed that 69 percent of Americans supported Israel; today that support stands at only 49 percent.

Support for the Palestinians remained unchanged at 7 percent; however the number of those undecided increased. The figures are not unprecedented; following the disengagement from the Gaza Strip in 2005, support for Israel stood at only 38 percent.

Some 44 percent of respondents believe the U.S. should continue to support Israel, and 5 percent believe the U.S. should support the Palestinians and 32 percent are undecided. In the previous survey, 69 percent of respondents said they were convinced of the need for U.S. support for Israel.

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      1.   Very smooth 04:05  |  David 18/06/09
      2.   A Jewish George Wallace 04:08  |  xexon 18/06/09
      3.   latest surveys in the U.S. suggests a sharp, 20 percent drop in s 04:16  |  flora 18/06/09
      4.   Perhaps due to islamic immigration to US 05:55  |  Lobstertail 18/06/09
      5.   Israel is one of the most technologically 05:59  |  Daniel 18/06/09
      6.   Israel`s Ahmadinejad 06:04  |  Hank N Tennessee 18/06/09
      7.   Rejects two state solution? More anti-Lieberman hype. 06:10  |  B 18/06/09
      8.   Lieberman 06:15  |  rob bennett 18/06/09
      9.   Xexon--He`s not suckled by hate--he just won`t be suckered 06:28  |  IW 18/06/09
      10.   No new clothes will work with Lieberman 06:58  |  American 18/06/09
      11.   Really? 07:52  |  Mark Lincoln 18/06/09
      12.   I Got An Idea! 08:11  |  Yosemite 18/06/09
      13.   Lobstertail # 4 16:31  |  American in NY 18/06/09
      14.   Muslims are very nervous. 22:43  |  petra 18/06/09
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