Indyk: If Israel manages alone, it can decide alone

I used the term Palestine because that is the currently used term. Would you refer to an area as Dacia or Lusitania, or would you use the term currently used for that geographical area?

Dear mr. Truth, You are correct in stating that US support only contributes 2% of Israel's GDP. However, you don't pay your armies and your infrastructure from your GDP - you pay it from tax receipts. Say Israel has a GDP of 100 Billion. If we calculate a (very high) tax receipt of this of, say, 25% total, then the annual budget of the state is about 25 Billion USD. This makes the 3 billion USD about 10-15% of the Israeli government budget, or in layman's terms, about half what Israel spends on its military. Losing that 3B USD would mean cutting half your army, or cutting services to make up for that shortfall. Hope this helps, JD.

Hey Paul, I think the only one that can oust Obama at this point is Petraeus, if he decides to run. If so, chances are that his attitude to Israel aren't going to be that much different, given the assessment he just made. Cheers, JD.

The US aren't pressuring the Arabs because the Arabs aren't as of now, occupying and repressing another people in direct contravention of UN regulations.

The JEwish ability to turn on other Jews as soon as they say something that doesn't tow the party line has never ceased to amaze me. Nobody hates Jews more than other Jews. And then you call Indyk a self=hating Jew: you yourself are a Jew-hating Jew.

You are right in that Israel should promote its own interests. Everys state should, including Israel, and yes, the US. The problem is that Israel apparently has decided that its national interest lies in continued occupation and annexation. If that is the case, then it should just say so, and stop this fake peace and reconciliation rigmarole.

Jamie, I must say I find your naming of mr. Linthwaite as "Chris Luftwaffe" quite grating. It ties in with the cliche that all Israelis automatically assume that any comment on Israel equals Nazism, which is childish, and you have to admit, a bit stupid. I imagine it may make you feel better, though. If so, feel free to alter parts of my callsign. I'm JD from San Diego, but feel free to refer to me as Ju-87 from SS. That means you won the argument, apparently. Cheers.

""55 percent of American Jews approve of the way the Obama administration is handling U.S.-Israel relations" In other words, almost half of all Jews do not approve of the way the Obama administration is handling U.S. - Israel relations." Truth What it really means is that less than half of all Jews...... I fail to comprehend why you guys are going back and forth on this. Obama has a lot of other demographics' support who collectively constitute a LOT bigger numbers of votes.

take the "if" out, please. ME presence does nothing to improve our country security at the present time. It certainly opens tremendous opportunity to traffic Afghan opium to our generals. The Russians, at the time, went as far as using zinc coffins flying home. Keep in mind they could only get a meager soviet sedan for the fortunes... And to those... Israel is a real and big obstacle. Can you imaging trafficking general supporting Israel ( even Jewish by descent ) ??? He wouldn't survive long enough to catch a wiff of own "product"

There appears to be a huge widespread disconnect between reality and fact on this issue. U.S. aid represents approximately 2% of Israel's entire GDP!! Alternatively, Israel is 98% self-sufficient when you discount U.S. aid. Furthermore, most of this aid amount needs to be spent on U.S. goods and military advancement that benefits the U.S. Strategically, Israel helps the U.S. keep the Muslim world on an even keel. Now, I'm sure everyone is just as upset about other countries getting aid from the U.S. (no?) - e.g. Egypt gets almost just as much from the U.S. in aid, but with no stipulations that require them to benefit the U.S. with their use of this aid. Don't get me wrong, Israel and Jews look forward to U.S. support (not just financial), but the country will not fold if they don't receive any financial aid from the U.S. On another note, if the popular belief here is true - that the Muslim world would invade Israel the first chance they get (if the U.S. withdraws support), wouldn?t that cause the most stability this world has seen decades? I would imagine that if the U.S. doesn?t step in to help, other countries would (Canada, UK, to name a couple). Can you say WW3???! And Israel would be left with no option but to use all weapons at its disposal. I?m sure WW3 would be good for U.S. interests! Also doesn?t the common belief on this forum that the Muslim world would attempt to take out Israel upon the U.S.?s withdrawal of all Israeli support just make the case for Jews and Israelis that voice their concern over the Muslim world?s hate towards them?

You are like the bourgeoisie; looking for the position and title it gives, a fish that clings to the shark. Golem looking for Precious, a ring that gives power, because of the illusions created. You are your own illusion, because you will never understand the alchemy of why Israel can never get along with islam/arabs. You may know historically, but understanding is beyond your strategic thinking! A scientologist of law creating matrixes, most activist judges use them, because they have met their level of incompetence yet what we call ?Pseudo Intellectuals!?

The little guy you say needs to be recognized yet the same exploitation your maneuvers create are self indulgent so as to create another title, yet blame it on other nations or races when it unravels before your eyes. Your machinations were never sincere to make it work in the first place- only to watch and blame, because there was no depth of thought to begin with. What makes things work is "belief," in what is, "and being mired in the battle." Yes, you orchestrate what is on paper, but you do not live the outcome. You are not a friend of who hires you as ambassador, and your travels do not mean you are cultured either. I ask you did you really care for the 800,000 Palestinians as refugees, or the millions of Jews that were slaughtered before your time? Did you know that Hitler was an Austrian Jew raised as a Catholic? I bet you think Sadaam is a practicing Muslim, yet was raised by his brutal uncle to thieve and murder!

Indyk you have a very biased view of international law and justice when it comes to fight for the credibility of self-governing people. It is typical of your generation "The Baby Boomer (very selfish (I got mine you cannot have yours)) Generation," look at me see what I have done for myself, but yet have no loyalties whatsoever. How does it feel to be the antithesis of Isaac Asimov's "The Pragmatist" {a baboon has more loyalty to it's group) than you do to the human race. You ebb with the tide, come in when it moves you and roll out when its time. Seeing through the facade, you purportedly align yourself to fight for individual freedoms and rights, yet are ushering in the existence of one world order, the titles you have held does not make the person, the actions within those titles do. You are "the cold and timid soul that neither knows victory nor defeat," (Teddy Roosevelt).

Chris, have you even bothered to look at your own article and stat you are citing??? You keep mentioning a statistic that is incorrect. The following is an exerpt from the article: "55 percent of American Jews approve of the way the Obama administration is handling U.S.-Israel relations" In other words, almost half of all Jews do not approve of the way the Obama administration is handling U.S. - Israel relations. I don't know if this is an intentional oversight on your part, I hope not; although I wouldn't be suprised.

Lol. That's about the size of it, too.

Why did Haaretz choose to show Indyk with an Arab person in the background?

"The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit, Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it." - Omar Kayyam Your point is well taken. But I fear not by Netanyahu.

I have been reading your venom now for a couple of years. As hard as an anti-semite, such as yourself, finds it to believe, there are many, many of us who support Israel. The "joke" is on you, Natalie. It's sad that you close your mind to the past history and present lies concerning Israel. I'm quite sure your circle of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances believe as you do, but not mine. Yes, a poll would be very good to show you just how much support Israel has from her American friends. But, since this is not likely to happen, feel free to sling your insults and misconceptions. When push comes to shove, as it will eventually, we will see, won't we?

Hi Potobac, you mentioned that the fight didn't do anything for the Jews of "Palestine"...well, there was no "Palestine" at that time. Palestine was introduced AFTER the wars. The name of Judea and Samaria was erased by Roman historians quite frankly to erase the memory of what stood there. The Romans chose the name Palestine in memory of the EXTINCT Philistines, and just like them, the name Palestine was supposed to be a thorn for the Jews. And they did succeed in that.

israel hurts america far more than they benefit america. this should surprise no one.

If Israel...a sovereign nation...wants to attack Iran she should do so. But when she does, she should recognize the fact that Israel (not the US) will be responsible for the consequences. If Israel wants to annex everything between the Med and the Jordan border, she should do so...but when she does, Israel owns the consequences. If the anti-American sentiment so preponderously posted here is any indication...the US has no friends/allies in the ME...nor, truth be told, do we need one.

USA doesn't only provide Israel with $3B USD, but also, it provides huge market access, information sharing, intelligence sharing, science sharing, political umbrella, advance technology and weapons. That can be worth many more $$billions. As the only empire left in the world, The US eventually will look at its own interest ONLY. Sure it will give Israel a hamburger or two, but if it comes to its own hamburger with a big appetite, it will not hesitate from pushing Israel a side. Same token, Israel will stay as the US's main ally in the region for some time to come, however, as history always change and civilizations come and go, the connection between Israel and the US will change too. Nuclear weapons are not a safety net for Israel as it was proven the USSR's 40k nuclear weapons didn't protect it from imploding. Peace

You are sure entitled to your opinion but the facts speak otherwise. I have yet to see Obama demand concessions from the Palestinians or the Arabs for that matter. Obama demands it halts construction in the West Bank and the capital Jerusalem. Oh yea Obama made a faint request for the Arabs to seek diplomatic ties with Israel as a good will gesture. A very subtle demand I may add.

Chris, your analysis of american politics is pretty skewed... your statement that implied that the hispanic and african american ethnic based vote , rather than jewish vote, got Obama elected is incorrect.... all americans, white and jewish ones too voted him in to office. President Obama won because he got the most votes in electoral college, his campaign took off in Iowa and new england-both areas with low numbers of ethnic voters. Jewish voting power has always been limited due to our limited population and just concentrated in certain metropolitan regions at that. Regarding the # of american jews that agree with obama, the number is over 50%, uncertain specific numbers. Re Israeli political strategic thinking...ben GUrion warned that the west bank was a swamp...and was correct.

Indyk is making sense now, but he did not while he had the power to change Israeli policies. He just went along and catered to every Israeli whim. He did not pressure Israeli administrations, thus contributing to the failure of the peace process. Now he has found the light. Too little too late! The only thing he can do is collect money for removing Israelis from the occupied territories, including occupied East Jerusalem.

Both my parents were Irish, and i am in Ireland to educate my children. i know, like, and employ the the Irish. What do either one of you do for this society?

...but if all our allies have to bend just so we can have cheap crude oil from our allies' own enemies, what does that say about our priorities? What does that say about what we value most? With friends like US, who needs enemies?

bibi would be a fool to listen to indyk. indyk has just served up blackmail cold and raw. since obama has clearly stated that military option and serious sanctions are off the table, he has much less leverage over bibi. whatever leverage he still has, bibi might decide to live without. the israeli government must also take into consideration that obama cannot be trusted to keep his word. furthermore, clinton has now referred to recognised borders as opposed to recognised and defencible borders. obama will give israel nothing, whoever is in the government. obama is going against his own defence minister and his own army brass. keep that in mind.

He is just passing through and using Ireland to launch his eternal pessisism --which usually manifests itself in the oh so familiar blame the Palestinians. If he were an Arab pulling the same stunt , I would offer him the door also. So , you have read this one wrong Miggy but your intervention was the product of good and fair intentions----unlike wandering jew who sees only Palestinians as the problem. Best of luck Miggy.

OK; we'll remember Haman. You remember Titus.

Not that it matters to me or is germane to this discussion, but I didn't realize that Judas was in the pay of the "Pagan Romans".

That is true; Jews are back in their homeland. It is worth noting, though, that it took them over 1,800 years and cost the lives and freedom of nearly all the local Jewish population of the time. I wonder whether you are willing to wait that long this time.

Indyk's juxtaposing US woes in Iran. Iraq, and other cournties with the Palestenian-Israel conflict is outrageous and cynical. It is the same inflammatory and subtly antismeitic assertion made by Biden on his last visit. Life is rough. Let's blame the Jews. When the Saudi Prince made this attempt following 9/11 Rudy Guliani put this absurdity in perspective. Now we hear it from the White House - at least for two and half more years.

This whole situation has been blown out of proportion. Obama has started something that no other US President had done by going to Cairo & publicly promising the arab world that East Jerusalem will be given to the palestinians and have Israel move to the 1967 borders. Then have Israel give up the Golan Heights. Then accuse Israel for causing instability in the region & causing a security issue for the US troops in the whole middle east region and to stop any building in those areas then blame Israeli PM for not bowing down to all those demands and openly showing the world how unhappy he [Obama] is because of Bibi, that is untrue. Obama is upset because he could not keep his promise to the arab world so he blames the Israeli PM. Which soverign nation after being attacked by the combined armies on their borders three times who were repelled and mercilessly defeated and continue to fight terror & kidnappings is forced to return the captured land because Obama demands it?, I dont think so.

rarely has one nation so publicly made a move to blackmail another nation and with threatening that nation's ruling government. obama, throught indyk, is threatening "dire" consequences for israel if benjamin netanyahu refuses to bow to us demands. obama claims that israel is dependent on the us for countering the threat from iran, as if he were actually doing something. yet, just today, the us made clear that the military option is off the table. we know that sanctions will not work, so this is a moot point. that leaves us with no support in the unsc, and with denial of weapons for the duration of obama's presidency. bibi will have to decide whether support in the unsc and desired weapons systems are so crucial that he will need to bend to the despot's demands.

Israels reliance on the united states Rather than the god of Israel ha been adetriment . Israel will be an envy of the nations.They will soon become the richest nation in the world I am amazed every day the read the same hogwash from the self style prophets who see israels descruction .I find none of them listed in Gods word.But i know from his word israel is in the land to stay . Eat your hearts out .Remember haman

Very simple they are pressuring israel and not the arabs because israel is the brutal OCCUPIER.

Lee claims that AIPAC does not contribute to campaigns.Go to "Washington Report On Middle East Affairs"and read the intire report on AIPAC contibutions to political campaigns.These contributions are public record.The report shows current campaign $ to candidates and lifetime contributions.Lee must be smoking some of those left-handed cigs.

"I for one am pragmatic tough love is needed however Obama has gone too far in sucking up to the Arabs at the expense of Israel." And I for one believe Obama has gone too far in sucking up to AIPAC and Israel at the expense of the Palestinian people.

"Some here in the US forget it was Saudi Arabian and Egyptions who attacked US 911 and the Arab world who celebrated it." And some here in the U.S. don't believe that for a minute. And if anybody was on record (and videotape) as celebrating, don't forget it was Israeli Jews cheering from across the Hudson River in New Jersey.

Dear Mr Indyk , The people of Israel have been managing alone for the past 3000 years at least...those who chose to land a hand, have been blessed...those who chose to go to war or help those who go to war, aren't here anymore... Since the United States manages alone , it will have to decide Alone who they choose to be their allies... Our decision is made...yes to loyal and constructive partnership...NO to threats...

the jews are back in their homeland.

Just as Judas, Indyk is being used by the 'Pagan Romans.' Indyk should be more concerned with the Iran nuke/missile threat than crusading Jihadism on Israel. It is time he does alot of reading of Current Affairs literature on the region by outstanding experts like Walid Shoebat, Ali Sina, Ibn Warraq, Mark A. Gabriel, PhD, Robert Spencer, Serge Trifkovic, PhD, Gregory M. Davis, PhD, Dore Gold, PhD, Brigitte Gabriel, Aaron Klein, Steven Emerson, etc, before spewing his ignorance.

Israel, use every stall tactic you can until America eliminates our current Czar. The socialist democratic party in America is not Israel's friend. Stall until a republican is elected, and I gaurentee you America is not with it's current Presidente on Israel, or this Bafoon of an ambassador.

Shocking as it may sound to jews, this is in line with US history of dumping allies as they become unnecessary. All that matters to US is its economy and the rest is a show.

It would be a huge mistake for Israel to depend to much on the US for support and military defense. There are too many powerful interests in the US who are anti-semitic and Obama certainly represents that. US support for Israel should include encouragement for Israel to act in its own interests independently and not just as a tube for US foreign policy in the area.

I know your probably trying to fit in with your lefty friends in New York so you need ot jump on the Israel bashing wagon. I guess the word to describe people like you is spineless and a coward at best. I believe Israel has reached out for peace on numerous occassions from 1993 on. In 2000 Barak banked his Premiership on it and lost. In 2008 Olmert offered what even Saeb Erakat said was an impressive proposal. But as usual the Palestinians would not budge from their demands they demands. I guess the word compromise is not in their dictionary. Lets not mention its not always easy to make peace when your citizens are being blown up or having missiles imploding in their homes. But how you would know that living in your comfy apartment in Manhatten. Both Palestnians and Israelis need to put more good faith efforts in reaching a peace deal.

Peace was achievable in 1996 and then Natanyahu was elected. Peace is also within reach now and guess what, Natanyahu is back in power. Is he going to delay the peace process 14 more years similar to what he did in 1996? The question is not whether Palestinians are ready for real peace, but is Israel ready this time around?

The EU funds the PA civil service and supports infrasructure. This is the responsibility of the occupying power, not benefactors. Israel might want to shoulder that responsibility as well as calling on its prerogative to continue to build settlements.

Two things. If one does not learn from history, one may be forced to relive it. The Romans in both those occasion knew they had been a fight, but that didn't do much good for the Jewish population of Palestine.

this Indyk guy wants to turn Israel into sacraficial lamb to satisfy arab regimes... Being a member of Mitchell's group tenders him biased toward Israel. These bunch cares less what happenes to Israel after all territories are giving out with no security buffer between the enemies and Israel. For them the improtance of satisfying their immediate political needs is more important... How about for a change to think of Israel's interests and securities? How about assistance Israel provides to America from bases to valuable intelligence that only Israel can provide. Indyk, do not play Israel for a fool as tables will turn on you and you will get taste of your own medicine...

G-D forbid. our future is not in our hands.but those who try to bring us down will know they have been in a fight.

Then Israel will get only jewish money, that is fine with the rest of us.

I provided you with the data you required from the source I used. Don't like it well I cannot do anything about that. The fact is 73% of American Jews support Obama's stance towards Israel, in an attempt to spin your way out of the fact that I provided an Israeli newspaper as the source, is to reject that very same newspaper as a valid source of information. Bury your head in the sand see if I care. The fact is that the relationship between Israel and the States is changing, and the fact is the influence of the Jewish community to affect the way that that relationship operates is on the wane When General Patreaus says the current status quo cannot continue because it is costing the lives of American Soldiers, then even you must realise the jig is up, the party is over.

You are 100% right. The most correct response in this entire page.

Some here in the US forget it was Saudi Arabian and Egyptions who attacked US 911 and the Arab world who celebrated it. US should be pressuring Arab world more or end funding of Arab world. They receive alot more than Israel and dont provide nearly what Israel does to the US. The $3 billion Israel received are golden handcuffs. Personally I think Israel would be better off without them, not true about US though. US limits Israeli military sales around the world. That might change. US should be applying equal standards to Arab world and doesnt. Thats the problem. Actually, the whole world does that. The sooner we end buying oil from the Middle East the better.

The issue is that a poll conducted on a few hundred individuals of a particular ethnic group is not accurate figure to assume that incase 75% of American Jews support Obama's Israeli policy. I for one am pragmatic tough love is needed however Obama has gone too far in sucking up to the Arabs at the expense of Israel. Treating Netanyahu in such a disrespectful way is unacceptable and will lead to know where. Obama thinks he has the full fledge support of the american jews but this not the case. I know quite a few that regret voting for him. Obama has not been evenhanded in his approach to this conflict. As for healthcare I have no issue with this other than it cost almost a trillion dollars and we will wait and see how inept the government is in running this huge task in front of them.

Dude...do you know what happens to states that threaten the US oil supply?

Indyk is right. Independent states can act independently...for better or worse,,,and bask in or suffer the consequences. Let's see how we do when the Americans no longer support us in the UN. Let's see how we do when military aid is cut. Let's see how we do when our so-called leaders are no longer welcome in Washington. Let's see how we do when an embargo is placed on us. Let's see how we do when we become another Iran.

1. USA just like any other country that has diligent leaders put their own interests before all others. This is why in democracies people elect their leaders, to take care of national interests. USA never put Israel's interests before her own. In fact until the 1967 war USA did not even have a very close relationship with Israel. 2. Unlike Turkey where the PM makes all the decisions and orders his people what to say and what not to say, in a real democracy like the USA no such thing happens. In fact descent and political differences are welcome events since they strengthen the democracy. I have no doubt that Mr. Indyk made that statement on his own. In fact he is known to make sharp statements sometimes despite the wishes of the state department.

K for Kapo; Indyk is a self aggrandized US State Department water carrier. The competition is between entrenched US State Depart oil bought Arabophiles and the emerging coalition of religious Jews, Christians, and Conservatives that despise everything about Obama , the US Democrat party, an appeasement to the oil lobby. Bibi needs to ride out this wave, which will be crushed next November, and limp along until 2012. Unfortunately for Israel, the support for the country is going to be a wedge issue in upcoming US elections. The job for American Jews will be to separate from the secular, intermarrying , self hating, lefty Berkeley class that populate J street and lefty news editorial staffs.

called Special Relationship Israel so desperately holds on to is compliance with the masters whip. So long as Israel puts US interests above Israeli interests the arms and the money and the diplomatic cover will flow. This is the costs of clinging to fantasy and denying dependence. Iran an existential threat to Israel, but a mere nuisance to the US (at least in the obviously simplistic terms US policy-makers view the Middle East[wait until Russia-backed Iran takes over!]), then lap-dog that Israel is must obey the master. Israel never had that much coveted Special Relationship. There never was equality in reciprocity. Mistake from the start to allow relationship of dependence, first France, then US. Diversify. Keep US relationship, but diversify. India, China, the countries of the future. Plus the west.

and Obama, Netanyahu finally "discovering" that Iran and North Korea mean tachlis (not bluffs and nice speeches), from the very beginning, blackmailing the world with atoms... rockets... via Hamas and Hezbollah if needed. Syria helping. Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, Venezuela, too. Read what Khamenei said today on the other thread! So then, what next? Bibi (and Lieberman) will force Barak to send the airforce to Iran and bomb there whatever he can. They, including the Likud of course, are representing the settlers, and have no other alternative (UNLESS BIBI LISTENS TO INDYK). And that may cause the second Holocaust. I repeat, UNLESS NETANYAHU LISTENS TO INDYK.

Great bold and courageous realistic views with tons of experience and true friend of Israel and USA and peace.

Showdown time reached sooner then I expected. Guess the Lauder/Wiesel ads infuriated the White House much more than I originally thought. Be it that the consider U.S. interests or consider going it on your own starkly says it all. Decision time for Netanyahu has arrived. Ditch the right wing loonies or face the consequences.

My thoughts exactly. Now, go tell that to Walt and Meirsheimer.

AIPAC does not contribute to campaigns. J-Street does, but not AIPAC.

He is not in the least bit anti-Semitic or anti-Israel. In fact, he has long been a strong supporter of Israel. Unlike some critics of Israel (who spoil it for everybody), his heart is in the right place. If we cannot listen to him, then we won't listen to anybody.

With the post American Obama Presidency now in total control of the USA ISRAEL realizeS that the USA does not stand for or mean for anything remotely reseambling the values of past American regimes. We may say that the USA of today is akin to the old USSR whereas the USSR has become the new USA.?If this is the case then Israel must send these Post American Yankees [Martin Indyk etc ]home and embrace coutries that are new torch bearers of democracy and freedom. Maybe Israel itself has become this torchbearer and America the follower.? In cases of deep ideology it is not size ,wealth and power that prevail but long agreed to values that are not post this or post that.

Mr Indyk was one of the founding people behind the AIPAC, which is politically oppossite to the JStreet group. This guy is the real deal..listen to him

Israel should not accept US financial aid, if it means for americans buying Israel as a sovereign state. America under this administration is shifting towards appeasement at Israel's expense. Under these circumstances accepting this aid, is tantamount of accepting money from Saudi Arabia or Iran, it's prostitution.

In the very article you provided as proof, it says that "In addition to this, 55 percent of American Jews approve of the way the Obama administration is handling U.S.-Israel relations. " Hardly 75%, and everbody knows that ha'aretz likes to spin their numbers. Just read Ha'aretz ex-reporter Shmuel Rosner slam ha'aretz spin of this very article: http://cgis.jpost.com/Blogs/rosner/entry/is_obama_fair_and_friendly Looks like you don't know how to find objective data.

We have reached a parting of the ways, and Israel must decide what it wishes to hang on to. What Israel doesn't seem to get is that the US would be about as happy to simply have reason to divorce Israel as it would to have the Israeli/Palestinian conflict successfully resolved. Either one would mitigate the US's problem, which is the perception of the US in the Muslim world. If Israel wants the land more than they want the extraordinary support from the US then so be it. If Israel wants the extraordinary support to continue it must give up the land. The US would be content either way, because either way will eventually lead to the same outcome. It is just that one way, holding and taking more land, will eventually lead to a lot more dead Israelis then would settling the conflict. Israel must choose.

US and UK and EU are so bankrupt its unbelievable! All US Companies are being bought out by Arab Sheiks... Ports Airports ,News Agencies , News Media, Big Conglomerates Its past the "OIL" stage-its "Can U spare me a dime,Sir" stage . Even if every Automobile was powered by ELEC today,the West would still be beholden to the Sheikh Bosses. Israel must draw a line beyond which they do not yield .Its that bad IMHO !!

Wishful thinking on your part, not mine. In my part of the country, Obama is not respected because his policies are ridiculous - pandering to our enemies and bullying and insulting our allies. We firmly support Israel, her efforts to protect her people, and look forward to the day when Obama is but a bad dream. Perhaps the pollution of NY has gone to your brain - come here for a breath of fresh air.

Wow. You people are a sorry disappointment, starting with the vomit of Tova the first responder. Steinberg, #39, you make me sick. Shame on you for not taking the time to be more thoughtful in your response. The fact is that supporting Israel is in the best interest of the United States. The fact is that the Arab-Israeli conflict is NOT the root cause of all the problems in the Middle East. The fact is that returning Gaza and exiting Lebanon did not advance peace it caused war. The same would happen in the West Bank. Listen to the words of the Mufti's. This is a religious war. They hate Jews and Christians equally. They are still fighting the Crusades. You wish the world could be different. You wish the world could live by your rules of love and peace. Sadly it does not. Learn from history. Don't be another victim of it.

and Obama, Netanyahu finally "discovering" that Iran and North Korea meant tachlis (not bluffs and nice speeches), from the very beginning, blackmailing the world with atoms...Not necessarily huge bombs... via Hamas and Hezbollah if needed. Syria helping. Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, Venezuela, too. Read today's Khamenei! And here sits S at the computer, saying the same thing all the time for years, and nothing happens. So then, what next? Bibi (and Lieberman) will force Barak to send the airforce to Iran and bomb there whatever he can. They, including the Likud of course, are representing the settlers, and have no other alternative (UNLESS BIBI LISTENS TO INDYK). And that would cause the second Holocaust. I repeat, UNLESS NETANYAHU LISTENS TO INDYK.

I agree with you. But netanyahu, who at times past, may have seemed more pragmatic, has a different public in Israel, one more in line with his thinking. And he has a different public in Washington, who is simply fed up with his swagger and arrogance. But change course at this point? I suggest you look at what occured yesterday in Yizhar. That is just a small dose of what would happen on a larger scale if any concerted movement by the government were taken against this element in Israel that now calls the shots. They are violent, scornful of democratic process and increasingly alienated from any chance for peace. They believe the "enemy" is not one that can be turned into a friend through compromise. It is an existential enemy for them. netanyahu knows well that if he moves against this population it will bring about an unravelling of the social fabric and cause a Jewish intifada.

This article by Indyk in the NY Times is an attempt by Obama white house to try and get some of the heat they are now taking off their back. The white house is concerned because Israel's PR offensive has them in a tight spot. Indyk's comments about the politics in the Likud point to Obama's own situation. Here in Florida his standing has taken a hit because his health care reform hurts seniors. The old Jews in South Florida are overwhelmingly democrats and for years we republicans considered them to be an impregnable democrat stronghold. After the Obama attack on Jewish building in Jerusalem there is a lot of disappointment with Obama in their community. My colleagues have begun canvassing them aggressively. If Obama moves on the threats that Indyk is making to hurt Israel's security interests, we have our case made. The democrat margin in Florida is very small. We intend to take our state away from him on the basis of the Israel issue. With Florida, we'll take the presidency too.

America's interests in the Middle East have shifted. The cold war is over and Israels usefulness has been eroded.Now that We are fighting two wars in the area and we have presense in every country in the M.E., so Israel becomes irrelevant. If it were not for the Jewish influence in Washington, Israel will become a no issue at all. Now having this in mind, Israel's behavior is trying to erode America's resolve and leadership in the M.E. which is central these days to our foreign policy objectives. By Israel's negative attitude, it is in fact telling the other countries that America is a powerless giant, so dont even listen to them and look at us, we dont care what America wants or says. Well this is a recepe for disaster for the U.S. enforcement and siuation. Israel will ene up paying a hefty price. Wait and see.

For Indyk to link the US soldiers in Afghanistan & Iraq against Israel is not only incorrect, as ADL Abe Foxman said (because it is proven that Iran is behind the instability), but buying into the anti-semitic canard of dual loyality that the Obama administration has been insinuating.

of which seventy percent has to be spent on goods from the U.S. Thank you Indyk for making the Israeli's realize that they are prostituting themselves for less than one percent of their total budget. Is not Israel's independence worth three billion dollars?

my friend u r missing the point...usa is hated because it is heartbeat and powerbase of christian west. christians and jews are "infidels" so in same boat. if the west does not stand together against the onslaught of islamic fundamentalism we are all doomed. If there are problems between usa and israel then that is to detriment of both countries. appeasing the arabs / muslim "making nice" is a waste of time. islamic fundamentalism is an absolutist rejectionist movement that opposes anything non-muslim.....trying to appease it is just plain stupidity. USA and Israel need to be united.

So many supporters of Israel are quite happy to appoint themselves as spokesmen for the American people. Invariably they relate of the love and support of the American people for Israel. Of course, this is a joke. There is absolutely no evidence for this opinion. Personally, I would like to see a referendum for American support of Israel. Perhaps this can be done on income tax forms, with contributions for Israels "weapons fund" becoming voluntary rather than mandated.

Wishful thinking on your part, perhaps. More and more Americans are fed up with shelling out $3B per annum to a country that refuses to adhere to its commitments, forges passports of allies for their own assassination campaigns, insults the VP of their greatest supporter and refuses at every turn to move toward a negotiated settlement. More and more Americans are simply fed up and wonder who is controlling whom. Thats the reality and Obama is trying his best but is insulted and shot down at every turn. His only weakness is not confronting the AIPAC lobby and giving them an laternative. Israel moves toward a two state solution or every penny is cut off.

I guess you are one of the 25% then? Wonderful thing about elections we'll find out on election day. However passing the universal healthcare bill is widely seen as his ticket for a second term as President. You might not think so as you already have healthcare probably, but then you are no longer included in the demographic of people Obama requires to vote for him to ensure a second term. What you are also failing to acknowledge is that if the current ties between Israel and the United States are shall we say modified, under the current President during his tenure in the WHite House, would a future President reverse it? An interesting point I am sure you will agree,

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtVty.jhtml?sw=American+Jews+support+Obama&itemNo=1162733 My mistake it's 73% I presume you will accept a link to Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper?

When Iraq attacked Dubai it was then George Bush Sr. that led the coalition that pushed Iraq out. Israel was told to sit tight and not involve herself in any fighting though scud missiles were fired into Israel. The aftermath of that war with Iraq left an unresolved issue with the Bush family. 9/11 led to a reprisal against Afghanistan. The USA should have stayed only in Afghanistan to rebuild that single country. But GW Bush wanted "revenge" ...yes revenge. So that is why the USA is stuck in Iraq. Israel is not responsible for the 2 wars the USA is fighting. al-qaida / Moslem wrath towards the USA has more to do with military army and air force bases on Moslem territory as well as USA propping up oil rich shieks. The USA dictates to Israel. It is not the other way around. The USA always does what is good for the USA. Coaxing friends and allies should not be bullying friends and allies.

This was a portend of things to come. netanyahu is an extreme revisionist himself. If at times past he seemed to be more pragmatic, those days are gone. This colnist population that now numbers in the hundreds of thousands, are ideologically driven, violent, and scorn the democratic process. The government has culitvated for decades a national ethos of a nation living on the brink, of potential annihilation, where peace is not possible since the enemy is not a normal enemy that can become a friend after the settlement of disagreements. It is an existential threat. netanyah, even if he wanted to, realises that this is the elephant in the room no one is really willing to confront. It would tear the country apart, a jewish intifada. They will go on doing what they have been doing, confident that AIPAC and its network will see that they be allowed to do what they want to make a bad situation worse.

This "shift in American perceptions" that Indyk spoke of is in the administration, not the American people. It seems that Obama is losing much of his support from the citizens of the U.S. because of his treatment of Netanyahu and Israel. It is very clear that Obama is an incompetent leader, at best. He is increasingly seen as a sinister wolf in sheeps clothing, intent upon the destruction of the U.S. and Israel. If anything, this "shift in American perceptions" is toward more support and sympathy for Israel and her people.

"see because I disagree with you, and 75% of American Jews agree with the current policies of the President".. Ah Chris at it again with your nonsense. Certainly a poll of a few hundred Jews does make the case that 75% of them support Obama. Its a bit misleading. But if you and the other saps want to believe then by all means roll with it. Now as for Obama getting elected. Certainly you can thank the media and the african american population. Obama lost all the big states like CA, NY, Texas. So basically all he won were the straw poll states and their accuracy is anything to be desired. Mr. Obama's rating are plummeting daily as people are catching on to this bafoons incompetency and lies. Kind of like your idiot G.Brown. Mr. Obama's foreign policy visa vis Israel is a disaster. Simply putting demands on Israel, treating Bibi like a third world despot will come back to haunt. Not even the judenrat jews working for him will be able to save him in 2012.

Yes by law Israel must spend the bulk of the aid they get from America in America. But its a slight of hand. This frees up money that Israel does not have to spend on weapons to spent on things like Illegal settlements in the West Bank and to pay the salary of some bureaucrat that will deny some palestinian in East Jerusalem a building permit.

All the failures of the past are being recycled, including this guy. Why does he even appear in a newspaper? His argument is specious--this is not a matter of merely an accommodation by Israel to an ally--it is a matter of the U.S. selling out Israel's security to better its relations with the Arabs. Well, that's crossing the line. Israel and the U.S. are close allies and friends, but with the history of Israel's withdrawals behind it, the U.S. should not expect Israel to jeopardize its population centers for Palestinians to lob kassams into Ben Gurion and Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

The historical moment "at this moment" for the the right wing attitude, and I say that in a nonjudgmental way, has passed. Nuclear fears, the inter-connected, inter-dependent global economy, the wars the United States is involved in, all contribute, have grown and will continue to grow, in contrast to the strategic interests of the US not being in sync with Israel's. And as it has been said, nothing is as powerful as an idea (or historical moment) whose time has come.

It is the Arabs who have rejected peace, perhaps Indyk and the other US officials who have spoken like him should say this to them. Tell the Arabs that if they see themselves as "a superpower" who do not need any aid from the United States (which they receive large amounts of), then they can make their own decisions. Tell the Arabs "if you need the United States, then you need to take into account America's interests." Unfortunately, Indyk and others who think like him cannot do that. Politicians like Indyk have endorsed an ideology in which it is considered racist to make even the most reasonable criticisms of non-Western cultures or behaviours, while it is considered virtuous to criticise the West. This often results in ridiculous and outrageous double standards and efforts to blame problems on Westerners. As Indyk's ideology does not allow him to blame the Arabs for anything, he can only blame Israel, but there will be no peace as long as Arabs can gain more from rejection.

HE WAS INEFFECTIVE THEN, and that's why he is gone now. He was his own partner for nothing accomplished.

US-Israeli relations will get worse. Mark my words, EU and the left leaning American Administration headed by Obama will 'dump' Israel for Arab oil. The day US+EU dumps Israel, 1948 will be repeated by the Arabs+Turks and Iranians. The outcome may not be what the world wants or expects. Read Ezekiel 38,39 to get the answers. The script has been written 2750 years ago. The drama is unfolding now!

Labhras, we agree on many things as regards to the state of Israel but I object to what you said to wandering Jew. If he is a law abiding citizen he is perfectly welcome in Ireland (and he may well have been born here). If you are telling Jews who don't agree with you to leave Ireland, then aren't you re-enforcing the argument for a Jewish state?

This guff from Martin Indyk comes hot on the heels of Secretary of State Clinton's independence day celebrations' video-cast, in which she must have sucked on a lemon, before delivering her 'weasel words':-) Iran is doing just as Iran pleases. Syria has supplied scud missiles to Hezbollah. And the US is firmly behind Israel so long as Israel takes suicidal risks for peace vis-à-vis the regional peace plan via which all Jews in the region are to be expelled--at best--and Israel is eliminated. It took eleven minutes for President Truman to recognise Israel, so as to preempt the USSR. Not because he thought Israel was a dream come true. Nevertheless, Israel must make a decision about who is the superpower in the region.

What this letter is saying is that the US time and time again has demonstrated its commitment to isreale's security even at great pain and cost.. which includes billions of dollars in aid, alienation from arab allies, increased risk to Us troops, increased risk to Americans every, forced to be at odds with UN resolution which isolates the US in a moral quick sand along side Isreale and other costs we can only guess at....can Isreale say the same thing that they have scarfised for US security??? or does Isreale expect the scarafises to be only one way... take and take but never give back. The Us has given and scarfsied a 100 fold more that Isreale has done for the US... isn't it now time to balance the scales??

It is truly idiotic to believe that Islam's animosity toward the west and US will subside if Israel disappears. Al-Qaeda didn't even mention Palestinian issue among reasons for 9/11 attacks.

Three quarters of all money given Israel by America must be spent in America, which means American jobs.

Just because the President of the U.S. says something, doesn't make it so. We understand the President and where he came from and his background and who he was influenced by, so it is important to be alert to his agenda. He is wrong in his policies and especially ones regarding Israel. So, when someone is misinformed even when it is the President, it is important to say so loud and clear, even though it may hurt his ego. The sonderkommandos surrounding and advising the President are highly suspect in why they do what they do, expecially when it is diametrically oposed to the democratically elected government of Israel. The President is on the wrong track as well as his Jewish advisers such as Indyk when it comes to peace making in the middle east.

The US feeds israel every year with billions and billions in american taxpayer dollars, money that would be better spent here in america fixing our economy. Israel could never survive without the american umbillical cord, and they know it!

While Obama may be a footnote in history, you should consider history shows the Jewish state went out of existence for a few centuries when it picked a fight it couldn't win.

on Israel and US will take into account Israel interest. US treat enemies better than ally, so do not be too friendly, even North Korea manage to squeeze oil from US for empty promise.

messages. We had many anti peace people here who wanted the conflict to never end. You are like them--always finding the glass half empty. Lord save us from such peace makers. By the way the planes are flying again so slan agut.

Are you saying that the burden in this relationship is the US? For goodness sake NO ONE in the world likes Israel OR Israelis - the burden is all on us - without the US - Israel is just another relic of post colonialism facing the same outcome - a huge fall - it is interesting how historically the jews through their arrogance always repeat the same mistakes and love EVERYTHING - it is weird really - but oh well - lets see what happens in the next 30 years. :) really is strange you can almost see the writing on the wall = then its oy vey oy vey the world hates us and we are so nice and innocent - the destruction of the temple, expulsion and expulsion, etc - all because of avarice and arrogance - and now....again...must be a character flaw

Martin Indyk's new ultimatum makes me think of when I was a young man facing my first bully.The bully had all his other delusional thugs surrounding him for the victory party planned after I would have been beaten into his will or publically embarassed by his threat. I am not Jewish to any extent of my family tree knowledge. However, my thoughts were on the God of Israel that moment and of all the biblical heroes of Israels' past. Yeshua, guided me into a non violent handling of the bully. In the end, we shook hands and his life began to take new meaning. The ultimatum, I gave him went like this: With all of your buddies surrounding you for this show against me, look up, look down, look inwardly and choose the direction your life will take. You do not know what I am capable of doing or who may defend me, no this, you will today,

Ari you are right 100%.

You may think that just the loss of US aid will be what hurts, but it will be the lost US loan guarantees and US veto's at the UN that will be cause the most pain. But by all means please do continue ticking us off because total isolation may be the precise medicine needed to cure you people of your delusions.

Indyk's logic is faulty.American governments on their own volition decided to invade Iraq and Afghanistan. Now that things have not turned out as the Americans anticipated, especially in the quagmire of Afghanistan, it is for some reason Israel's fault. Instead of confronting reality the Americans are trying to blame Israel. Do the Americans really think that Al-Queda will stop its attacks and abandon its political programme if there is a Palestinian state on the West Bank? I think not.

let's listen to voices of reason. we need to step back from Armageddon. there must be peace. and Palestinians must have their state and Israel must live in peace and security and the refugees must not suffer any longer. We need creative solutions not zero-sum, biblical solutions. Whatever happened to common sense?

If the US should leave the region - then surely Israel should too as it is a by product of Europe and a legacy of ww2 - in any case, if Israel wants to make its own decisions, it needs to be self supporting and stand on its own two feet like a normal nation. The time of hiding behind the Christians in the west's knee do to guilt of ww2 are over - be a man and support yourself. Secondly, although the US is not well liked in the region, partly due to our support of Israel, Israel is hated in the region. I cannot wait for bibi to take on Obama - Bibi actually believes that Israel is a super power - what a joke!

My dear Mr Indyk! It is true that Israel needs America but America also needs Israel. In that regeon, who do you think America can rely upon? Israel is the only country which has similar values and is a staunch friend of America since its establishment in 1948. It is in the interest of America that Israel should be strong. A weak Israel will be desusterous for America.

It should back off and stop this insolent treatment of an ally. By the same token what this American joke of a ex- diplomat is saying is that America does not need Israel or care for its interests... Well Israel is also important so if America does not need it the non-cooperation from Israel would hurt what apparently are American interests... This arrogance without precedent since the Romans is the very reason people around the world do not like Americans. I was always a supporter but I don't think I support this mammoth of a so-called "Superpower"any longer. America is a nation in decline and that much is clear by the lack of respect the world shows to it. The Nuclear summit was the very show that America no longer rules anything. Israel should do what is important to Israel...not to America.

Number one;a strong Israel is in Americas best interest read Oren's book, Mr, Ambassador, he is at least is a historian not a windbag who likes to hear his own voice. An advocate against a government in power is beyond belief......no wonder he was a failure of an Amabassador, he is advocating a view that incompatable with Israels long term viability!!!!!

Indyk trailblazes his arrogance in the pursuit of a career based on failed policies from a bye gone era. Indyk should stop US annual aid to israel. Go for it and do Israel a favor.The US is a burden.And a weak one at that.

It was absolutely clear that signing the Oslso accords would result in Israel clashing with it's most important friend. This was to be avoided but they did not want to listen. Poshei Oslo LeDin.

You keep insisting that "75% of American Jews agree with the current policies of the President of the United States of America towards Israel." Can you please back up this data with solid statistics and a proper reference.

I see because I disagree with you, and 75% of American Jews agree with the current policies of the President of the United States of America towards Israel then we are all wrong, but suprisingly the american living in Tel Aviv is right. Your argument is that of a school playground. The fact is and you can see it in the ethnic background of The President the demographics are changing in the United States and as a consequence the Jewish block vote does not carry the same weight as it used to. Even President Bush could speak Spanish. I would suggest you take note of the new reality and try and get Israeli politicians to adjust their behaviour accordingly. The days when an Israeli Prime Minister could throw his weight around like the school bully in the playground is over, live with it.

First of all American Jews are a very small minority, less than four percent of the population. That four percent is heavily concentrated in New York and Florida. Only the senators and congressmen from those two states have any reason at all to court the Jews. Jewish money has been of importance in elections in other areas of America. This has changed with the introduction of a new law which allows corporations to give unlimited donations to political campaigns. Liberals are very upset about this law, but, oh well. Now, almost anybody will be able to buy congressmen and senators, and not just AIPAC. The largest minorities in America are Hispanics and African Americans. Neither of those groups is anxious to send money, weapons, and soldiers to fight Israels wars. We have reached a parting of the ways. Israel just hasn't realized it yet.

It's clear what is going on. The USA needs to establish peace in Israel so they have Arab/Muslim support when they bomb Iran's nuclear sites (maybe not by Obama but the next republican president). The peace envisioned includes splitting Jerusalem between the Jewish and Arab populations. Some Israelis obviously see this as a zero sum game and are very unhappy.

in electoral terms. However very sizable part of American electorate may differ from prevailing Washington opinion and come to conclusion that betrayal of Israel is not in American interest.

Martin Indyk is giving Israel a thinly veiled ultimatum, either make peace and end the occupation, or lose the protection of the US and find itself completely alone in the world. The United State's best interests no longer permit it to use its veto at the UN etc. to shield Israel from compliance with international laws and norms, so as Indyk and many other are eluding to, Israel has to make a decision whether make peace or walk alone. I personally hope that Israel will choose peace over extremism, but with Likud in power and Lieberman speaking on its behalf, its future looks grim.

Mr. Indyk and his "Old Boy" network at the Brookings Institute, the same folks that caused the current economic disaster in the US, are interested in one thing: furthering THEIR interests; and furthering these interests (and also those of George Soros, Madeline Albright, John McCain and GHW Bush et al of the CFR) seems to involve the destruction of the State of Israel AS WELL AS the dismantling of the US as a sovereign state. Anyone who listens to these people is a fool.

Israel needs America. Israel needs America to stand up in Cairo and elsewhere and say that Jews have a long and proud history that stretches back over 3,000 years. Israel needs Obama to stand up and say that the Temple Mount is the holiest site for Jews and that Muslims must find a compromise solution on the Temple Mount with Jews. Don't be so arrogant Mr. Indyk. Lots of Jewish blood has been split. You know this. Show a little humility and it is okay for you to criticize Obama when he distorts and/or ignores history.

You said "You problem is 75% of American Jews actually agree with the current policies of Barack Hussein Obama towards Israel." Actually, you're completely wrong. They're just afraid to speak up. Not to mention confused by a presiden that outwardly lies when he says Israel's security is of top priority. They can't reconcile a president who on the one hand claims he's working towards Israel's best interest, and on the other letting the Palestinians pile up the demands while making no demands of the Palestinians. And by the way, there is no lack of those that "Vote in American Elections" here in Tel Aviv, including this American.

your hatred has no limit johnboy.israel will not give way to obama.best place your bets elsewhere. obama is no more then a footnote in history.the jewish state will outlast obama and his dislike for us.

but he is also a citizen of the usa.91% of american jews polled recently have said they were "very concerned to a little concerned" about anti semitism in the usa.that is the context about indyk.who loves israel.

To blame Obama...Maybe Israel need some kind of "scapegoat" -the quilty one as an exuse. But he is not the only one with his opinions. The most of the leaders of the western world agree with him and also do not want to act against the International laws decided f.e by UN.

A friend is not a vassal.

A quick search on his Bio will show that he is part of the lobby actually but being the diplomat, he has to voice the opinion of the govt.

" Indyk said on Wednesday that if Israel is a superpower that manages alone, then it can make decisions alone. .... Indyk said ... "if you need the United States, then you need to take into account America's interests," Let's asume, an American politician would have said that about another country, even an ally. Let's say, Germany. Can anybody imagine the outcry about such an imperialistic attitude? Would you have dared, Mr. Indyk? No way, youz're an acomplished diplomat. But, within the family, we can behave like a..holes.

You problem is 75% of American Jews actually agree with the current policies of Barack Hussein Obama towards Israel. And they are the ones who vote in the American Elections, not Israelis living in Tel Aviv. Although the Jewish block vote has declined in recent years with the rise of the importance of the Hispanic and African American vote. Which you can see with the ethnicitity of the current President of the United States. I suppose you are dusting off that second passport and preparing to leave as we speak. Israel has had a brilliant party since 1967. Now it is time for the hangover.

In the past week we've seen the head of the World Jewish Congress Ronald Lauder publish an open letter, and we've also heard Eli Wiesel speak up. And as opposed to addressing the two very well known American Jewish leader's concerns, the Obama administration is intimidating them, making vailed threats as can be read in Ha'aretz article titled "U.S. officials slam pro-Israel Jerusalem ad." So now American jews can't speak up if it doesn't match the American president's agenda? Land of the free and home of the brave is now using intimidation to limit its countrie's Jews the right to free speech?

US always puts its own interests in front of everyone, except the Israelis. Up to know, for the Americans, Israeli interests were considered more important, life of the Americans were considered less important than the Israeli lives. In that respect Indyk's words seem like Americans finally are starting to realize that something is wrong in this whole equation.

Obviously Israel has been ignoring the gentle hints. So the brickbat has been applied to the back of the head. This is an even bigger story than the NIE which stated Iran was not pursuing the development of a nuclear Bomb. Israel is been given a choice, take into consideration the needs and desires of the United States or agree that Israel does not need the aid at current levels, both diplomatic and financial that the United States currently supplies to Israel. I thought that the shadow of Yitzhak Shamir was beginning to loom large for Netanyahu. I didn't realise that the United States is considering the normalisation of ties with Israel. Is that the sound of a flushing toilet in Netanyahu's office?

Bibi must say NO.

When has this guy ever criticized the Palestinians ?

It's about time Israel started standing on its two feet and making her own decisions like a true, independent state. We need to stop acting like we can't survive without the US, otherwise we will always be a banana-republic. Israel CAN survive without American aid - the Israeli economy has actually been the best performing in the world, exhibiting the highest level of growth of any other country despite the economic situation. We can survive without America - and it's about time we did!

I don't know what you're talking about holding onto Yehuda and Sharon Dave. And by the way, less than 1/3 of American Jews support Obama on Israel. I also don't know who you think your pretending to be putting Tel Aviv as your location. Anybody in Tel Aviv would know that one sided agreements, much like the withdrawl from gaza, doesn't guarantee peace, it guarantees war.

the price tag for the usd three billion military aid has to be paid.take their money and we give them a vote.it is the classic faustian question. i hope we have the courage to push the devil away.

Netanyahu, like soome of the talkbackers here just doesn't get it, and unfortunately never will. In consequence he is going to go, and I would say within six months. Don't know how yet,although if somebody came up with the evidence to nail Lieberman with the corruption that has been spoken of for a while it could split the coalition. So who will be the next PM. My money is on Barak who seems to know what the score is and seems to want the job. Any other suggestions?

Jews are a well integrated part of many communities, they provide a solid contribution to all the nations they are part of, much like every other religious and non religious member of those communities. The world has moved on from the times of the holocaust, the racism and fascism that was so strong in the western world has weakened and now lingers but only in traces. A black man now sits in the most powerful seat in the world, the leader of a nation that once enslaved his ancestors. A jew sits as the Speaker of the UK House of Commons, and muslims have been freely elected as members of the british parliament. The west has embraced equality among all and the last walls of the aristocracy are slowly fading, yet our beacon in the Middle East, our ally that shares our values, our democratic principles is breeding fascism and supporting racism, all in the name of security.

You saying that the USA is a destructive force in the ME. I may agree with you. But what do you think about Israel? Can you remember haw many wars Israel had waged in the area to keep the occupied arab lands and to keep the Palastenians under its control? Can you figure out haw many persons including womens and children from different arab countries had been killed since the cereation of Israel in Palastine? Can you count the numbers of Palastenians refujee forced by Israel to flee their homes to make rooms for jews comming from outside Palastine. Can you count the number of UN resolutions asking Israel to make piece with its surroundings, no single resolution Israel agree to mplement. By any means Israel is a cancer of the ME. Nothing good will come out of it, only more destructions, more killings and more suffering of the ppl living in that area.

and dumping the blame on Israel. Notice that Turkey is going Islamist and joining the Axis. Notice the the freedom movement in Lebanon surrendered to Syria. Notice that the Mullah regime grows wilder by the day. These events are obvious except to the elite western diplomats. They always mix up cause and effect, correlation and causation, realism and insanity.

Peace agreements are only good if they last. An unbalanced agreement from either side will cause frictions which can lead to more intense violence. Peace can not be forced upon either party. Also, it is very difficult to see how Gaza, with Hamas in control, can ever be a peace partner even to the West Bank.

Can Obama and his pals get any more arrogant? I guess Israel is also to blame for the volcano over Iceland. What a great stategy these neophytes are supporting. Blame Israel, that is always a good way to pander to the EU and the arabs, while Obama sits back and watches Iran get a bomb.

Masada and the destruction of the Temple befell the Jewish people because of sinat chinam between Jew and Jew, the very quality that your comments betray. Don't try to impose your views on your fellow Jews, or curse them if their views and their ways of being Jewish are different to yours.

Israel wants to behave like a big nation and take on the US president, and at the same time depends on handouts from US taxpayers. What Bibi should realise is that Israel is literally nothing without US protection, so he should not get too big for his boots.

I think Obama is well prepared for a long, long fight over this issue, guys 'n' girls. Indeed, I think it is pretty obvious that Obama didn't cave in when Bibi announced his "freeze that wasn't a freeze". Nope. Obama made a tactical withdrawal to regroup and re-equip for a second campaign. I suspect that Netanyahu now has that sinking feeling that he underestimated Obama, and this will ending up costing him this battle.

Israel, the Arabs and Iran, Jews, Muslims and Christians, should put their differences aside, make amends with one another, and unite to get America out of the Middle East once and for all. The US is a destructive force in the region, as this Ambassador's comments clearly show. America is ruining Israel the same way it has ruined Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, etc. America has no respect for the religious sanctity and spiritual holiness of this precious region.

I think what he said is perfectly acceptable. If you need someone, you need to be considerate towards that person too. You can be a spoilt little brat (like Israel) and just take take take. Lets face it, without America, Israel (not Jews, the nation of Israel - before ignorant people start calling me anti semetic) would be nothing.

Jamie, you are missing the point. If Obama can sit on top of a two thirds American Jewish approval of his plan for Israel negotiations, then it does not matter if you or anyone else things he's treating you wrong. The cards play themselves. If Obama has successfully shifted American opinion against Israel holding on to Yehuda & Shomron, then we don't have a leg to stand on. They want us out. It would be much smarter for us to face reality and deal with it on the ground. Like, for starters: offer a peace plan that guarantees us the security we need. Right now!

Jamie there is a lot of Ameicans over here that would love to break the ties with your country. Please go out and tell every Israeli to go it alone. Would save Americans a lot of money and trouble by seeing the last of you. YOU want to go it alone?? Make my day and do it and not threaten it.

Its high time that the USA put Israel in its place.Israel must pay the price for its insubordination and stubbornness to make a change and literally slapping the USA in the face.

We have been hearing about wars and peace talks since i was a child. However, we seem to witness only wars. More bloodshed and more killings. More sufferings means more hate. One step forward and one hundred steps backwards. It has become very obvious that extremists are using the Palestine just case to kill and act with terror. No matter what happens anywhere in the world, you see that group or the other using Palestine as a justification for their acts. Palestinians end up paying the price. Starting from Saddam to Bin Laden to many other leaders. As people living on that land, the holy land and as people who will remain there, we need to push our leaders towards making peace together for the sake of our children. If we were to make a real peace now, it will take possibly generations for building trust. The solution is clearly in the hands of the Israelis. Serious moves to comply with international law and recognised status of the occupied land of 1967 to live together.

Maybe he's a bit too forceful! Are we in a period of megaphone diplomacy right now? Unless, a final straw's just broken somewhere, this isn't the way to get an ally on board to a change of policy - unless the Israeli government isn't really listening. The next stage I would imagine, would be the reduction of the Israeli defence subsidy or threats to do so. This would wreck havoc with the Israeli economy...

Thank you, Mr Indyk for your nice wish on the 62 day of Independence of the State of Israel. May I refer to the article of Eric Hoffer,the American philosopher who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1983? He wrote on 26/5/1968 (just after the 1967 war) in Los Angelaes Times: "things permitted to other nations are forbidden for the Jews""Other nations drive out thousands even millions of people and there is no refugee problem"Had Nasser triumphed last June 1967 he would have wiped out Israel from the map and no one would have lifted a finger to save the Jews."

Like Barack Obama is lifting a finger to stop Iran from getting the bomb. He provides lip service to American Jews pretending he's concerned about Israel's security, while forcing Israel to make one sided concessions, ignoring the fact the Palestinians refuse to negotiate, and miserably failing to garner any support for his international policies. If America thinks its interests is sacrificing Israel for the greater American good, should Israel stand behind them? I don't think so. And by claiming Israel is responsible for American blood that is spilt is no less than scapegoating if not out and out blood libel.

This is big news. The Obama administration has backed Indyk in this warning to Israel: "Want to be independent? Bevakasha! Want help from us? Then do what we ask!" The one who pays the fiddler gets to call the song. Maybe we should just go it alone...gulp...

and good riddance