Does Obama delay in scheduling Netanyahu meet point to crisis?

Well said. Netanyauh belittle himself and his position as Prime MInister of Israel. Prior to the meeting, Obama met with American Jewish leaders, and ask them to support his health care reform bill, and he talked of Tzedakha. Obama and his advisors like Rohn Emanuel are disconnected from realities of Israeli and American Jews connections.

Bill Clinton was the best friend Arafat had, he was recieved at the White House more than other international visitor. Madeleine Albraight cookked vegetarian lunch for Arafat. Clinton refused to eat lunch with Bibi.Arafat received billions of dollars that he put promptly into Swiss banks, six billion at the last count. To say that Bill Clinton was the best friend Israel had is being ignorant of the true facts. Obama started by pressing the Israelis more than the Palestinians. Abbas was counting on Bibi being thrown out of office, as it happened under Clinton/Arafat days. But something went wrong, the Israeli public became angry at the undue pressure , has made Bibi more popular, and Obama less popular in Israel. Now Obama is trying to find a formula that will work. And Abbas is threatening to resign and dissolve the Palestinian Authority. Settlements is not a first priority for the Israelis, defending themselves from Hamas , Hizbullah and Iran is the first priority.

"(provided, of course, where your sentiments lie...)." There is quite a bit of difference between our "sentiments". I don't think Obama is the right man in the right place at this time in history. Neither is Netanyahu... They both talk too much... Others take advantage...and do something... And that will definitely cost us...maybe the US too...and the world. Warm regards, S

and support in the US to 'push the policies of the administration in its favor?' This means AIPAC and Likud manipulating US administrations and the Congress for their goals, different than those of the US Executive branch charged with the execution of foreign policy, and its likely this is what Obama is stopping.

I don't agree that Bibi was humiliated by this. I think it was probably a combination of Obama juggling a full schedule and maybe wanting to drag his feet a little to appease his muslim brothers. Also to not give the appearance that he was not being controlled, but is the controller. Demanding concessions? What kind of ego trip is he on this week? Is he a lunatic? Whatever the case, it was Obama who came off as the arrogant jerk while Bibi appeared as more the victim and someone to be sympathized with. Very bad form for ANY American president to behave this way. The quicker he gets out of town the better.

"Israel complains about the absence of intimacy but only takes and does not give anything in return." A condition which all to often leads to divorce.

You left out a quote: "Israel - that sh*tty little country." - Daniel Bernard, French Ambassador to Britain

In the American system the people ultimately makes the decision...American support for Israel runs deep and high... American support for Obama is declining with every added percentage point on the unemployment stats. Last week Obama has lost important elections including in a state that is blue to its core ( New Jersey) and had losses all over the place even in instances where he personally campaigned...people are tired of do-nothing Obama...even SNL ( comedy show) has already made jokes about Obama's do-nothing status.. As in America the people hold the power and Obama's numbers are down so is his power... That way only a loser will be looking to talk to Obama soon...I don't think the Israeli PM is one of them.

I keep thinking of him as a baseball manager. But maybe a lane driver is what we need.

With no pre nuptial signed agreements Israel and America are facing a bitter divorce. It will come, each blaming the other for waning 'marital' bliss as the empire falls/is replaced, by China. ; )

that an attack on isreal is an attack on the west....i'm sure you heard what merkel said. fact is, those with a brain realise this and know full well that islamists hate christians as well.

Your anlysis is pathetic and not objective. Why can't the Prime Minster of any country be confident and stand up for the values of its state?! The notion well America is the superpower and if they tell you go slit your wrists you better listen. Is a dumb assertion. That is the difference between a sovereign country and a territory of another country. So to remind the author yes Israel is small but it is a sovereign country with its own interests

backed by correctly pointed out still huge support of Israel by overall public in US. The crisis are left vs right, as was expected the minute Bibi was elected PM. The White House does control meeting schedulings. Rahm Emanuel & Axelrod would probably like Bibi to sweat.

""" it is no longer important what will be said at the""" Exactly. Since "Bibi" threw the continued settlement expansion into Obama's face(not to mention the disgusting insults thrown by Israelis at him) the so-called peace process is dead, and any further blah blah blah is truly no longer important ! David

Abbas resigns and a Hamas member replaces him? Then both the US and Israel have a crisis.

"Obama plays basketball" - allang And Netanyahu plays hardball.

"(provided, of course, where your sentiments lie...)." There is quite a bit of difference between our "sentiments". I don't think Obama is the right man in the right place at this time in history. Neither is Netanyahu... They both talk too much... Others take advantage...and do something... And that will definitely cost us...maybe the US too...and the world. Warm regards, S

As he looks over his shoulder at his squabbling and fractious cabinet in the backseat, Bibi's already run Abbas off the road, shunted Turkey and clipped Hillary and Obama. I wonder who else will end up as casualties before the Bibi-mobile finally ends up in a ditch or goes over a cliff or something. It's going to be a bumpy ride!!

It might be a crisis for Israel, but it is no crisis for the US.

Since its implementation in 48 The US has given to Israel over 140 billions of dollars and asked nothing in return, and when Obama request to freeze the settlements, Bibi told him to get lost. And he did. With its formidable cash power, AIPAC has poured hundred of millions in campaign contribution and has 2/3 of US lawmakers on its payroll. Obama is tied -up. The media are keeping silence on Israel 's crimes. Everything looks good. I urge every one to watch the movie "Occupation" to understand better the ME situation. It was made before the Gaza invasion, but explain in detail the ethnic cleansing and the horrors committed daily such as the "breaking bones" policy, in a scene where 4 Israelis soldiers restrained a young Palestinian, while another one is hitting him with a big stone to break his arm and spine. I know, it's nothing compared to helicopters firing phosphorous bombs on apartment buildings ....

The democrats will face mid-term elections next year, and Israel needs American support at the UN. Substantial losses in the House and Senate may derail Obama's ability to help the US economy they way he wants which may cause him problems in the election of 2012. Israel is, obviously, under extreme pressure in the UN, with Iran, with the changes cause by Abbas' resignation, and with growing militancy by many Palestinians. Without some compromises, both could lose.

What is the super secret that Bibi is keeping from Mitchell, Israel and the world, that he will now tell Obama? I believe Netanyahu just wanted some photo oppurtunity - so Obama is making sure that is all he will get.

"Millions may be true. But Middle America has hundreds of millions and they do not support Israeli behavior." Actually, THAT is not true. The vast majority of Americans favor continued support of Israel according to all Gallup Polls. Further, they have a highly unfavorable view of the Palestinians. Opening your ignorant yap and spewing fiction doesn't alter the facts.

Look Israel must be made at times to look bad, that's OK. In the end Israel and the U.S. are linked in what's most important, ideology. Sure you have the instigators who whine about the money Israel gets. Most of them are Israel bashers anyway. Secretly being anti-Israel is the new language of antisemitism, of course now that I've said that I'll be accused of...dare I say it...falsely accusing people who criticize Israel in order to stop or stifle debate. Not True. But the fact is many are antisemitic. After all you don't hear them whine about Egypt? or the Palestinians who get a ton of money, just not from us. It seems that Israel always gets criticized out of proportion to their deeds. Or singled out...falsely... for something that other countries do, and 10 times worse! Maybe it's my imagination, I don't know? I just call it as I see it.

President Obama's first priority is and shall always be, The People Of United States Of America, now and always.

Arye: Have you seen the exposure the Chinese media has provided to the weekend visit of the Chinese PM to Cairo and the Arab league? Sounds very interesting Arye; please tell more about this. I think it's only a matter of time before the Chinese become aligned Militarily with Arab countries, the source of their much needed oil by-products.

It is an act and nothing to be overly concerned about. Netanyahu is trying to be seen as the person who is driving the agenda, forcing Iran to stop it's nuclear programme and leading the way in peace talks in an attempt to fool Israelis into thinking that Netanyahu is saving the State singlehandedly. When the truth of the matter is everytime he is at The White House he looks like a rabbit caught in a car's headlights, looking absolutely terrified. But Netanyahu is in a quandary he cannot minimise ties with The White House because Israelis have an understandable pride in the closeness of ties between Israel and the United States. Yitzhak Rabin's relationship with President Bush Snr broke down irrevocably and he lost his job as Prime Minister. Netanyahu is desperate not to meet the same fate whilst also being desperate not to risk his coalition by moving towards a two state solution. You have to remember all that matters to Netanyahu is for his name to be on the PMO's door.

If I was the PM of Israel and getting the cold shoulder treatment late in the evening by Obama, I would have refused the meeting, continued with the scheduled business that he was there for and returned to Israel without meeting with Obama. I will not tolerate this sort of attitude from the president of USA. This will definately backfire on Obama.

The communication channels are wide open all the time. Sec Clinton was there in Israel, last week, Mitchell is there all the time; and Amd Rice was there a short time ago. If Bibi is not moving to freezing the settlements or to starting peace talks--what is there to talk about. Isrtael and Netanyahu has disappointed America. Why did Bibi call two US Gov't officials "self-hating jews," the same week Congress voted $2.7 billion in military aid?

Israel wants the STOL version of the F35. It is by no means certain that the United Kingdom will allow the export of Rolls Royce engines to Israel. As we will not want this technology appearing on Chinese planes a couple of years later. Notwithstanding the fact that a british government will face a backlash from the voting public for providing airplanes for Israel to bomb civilians as in Cast Lead.

relations with US, Turkey and the everyone else - so he can keep his colation partners happy in the back seat! Weiiiieeeerrrddddddddd........

If he is wise enough to know not to mess with Eli Yishai, he should use the same understanding with Obama. Neither of them are in their positions by Netanyahu's grace, neither of them will care for Netanyahu's misdemeanors.

netanyahu is nothing but a source of friction. as for the question of the refugees and your contnetion that Abbas demands a full return, that argument is specious. Why? Because Israel refuses to discuss this question which must be addressed. It has offered no substantive solution of their own. We dont know what Abbas or the Palestinians would do if Israel did offer to discuss it and came forward with a proposal. Your assumption is simply incorrect.AFurther, Abbas is simply holding Israel to its former agreements which Israel refuses to do as it continues its colonisation which is condemned by the international community.

obamas double language is not honest . brave politicians should be clear about their expectations and their beliefs.

What Mr.Benn characterized here as a humiliation by Obama to Netanyahu, is not meant to be that, from the American side! It is meant to show a good gesture to the Arabs, after Mrs.Clinton "screwed up" last week, by descriping Netanyahu's statments of "restraint" in building settlements as being "unprecedented" even every Israeli PM has said so in prior times!! However, and as an Middle Eastern political expert, I see what Obama does, as child play! What we need Mr.Obama: ARE ACTIONS by the "UNHONEST BROKER" turnning to a real "honest" one! Time, has already surpassed good gestures!

Inexperience is only part of it, the problem goes way beyond. this administration equates American democracy with that of Israel, where in America we're forced to choose between one or the other. the administration approaches Israeli democracy in this matter believing it can influence the will of the Israeli people. the breakdown occurs here, a blatant misinterpretation of how Israeli democracy works is what continues to baffle this administration. They don't understand that Israeli's vote for security, they don't hope for it. Every candidates platform must revolve around security in order to garner support and when forming a coalition, must take into account all their collective desires as well. In Israel it isn't "we won" so you must agree and listen, that attitude generates new elections immediately as political figures are an extension of the peoples will, not the party.

Oh I know Hillary is capable of overriding her emotions if she sees an advantage in it, but where's the advantage in being nice to Bibi now? It's patently obvious that Bibi isn't going to voluntarily give the Pals a fair peace deal that they can accept, however nice the US may be to him. So if she wants to override the humiliation, secure a peace deal and get ready for 2016, she's going to have start putting in the boot on Bibi.

As usual, the Israeli press forgot that the United States has to deal with issues besides Israel. The shootings at Ford Hood and the debate on health care, just to name two, are keeping President Obama extremely busy.

I forgot to mention that the WMREA report only covers the time period from 1949 to 1997 --so add an additional 12 x 3 billion = 36 billion + lost interest etc---round up to 40 billion. Wow--that makes for a grand total of "250 billion" or "1/4 of a trillion dollars. Geez---and for what?????. Insults/spies/ship sinking---.

See how much support you have on the floor of the house for selling advanced weapons to Arabs and not Israel.

I hope the President makes it clear to Netanyahu that he is obstructing peace by unwillingness to move on any issue including settlements. Obama is a straight shooter and will let Netanyahu know that his government is clearly out of favor.

She and her hubby had a mighty grudge against Obama, when she was competing against him... but the instant the triumphant Obama included her in his official fold, all grudges evaporated... likewise (albeit not in content) she forgave Bill for philandering... what she knows best is how to cope...

Sensible drivers look out the front of their car and at what's coming their way from the world and from other road users. Bibi's spent his whole time looking over his shoulder at what his coalition are up to, in the back seat, making sure they're happy and not about to leap from the vehicle. This is a scenario that's highly unlikely to end well.

If America wants to bludgeon Israel with threats of aid reduction then it's only reasonable for Israel to abandon the F-35 program.

in my opinion israel should be responsible for itself and not the usa. mabee its time to take more care of the us citizens. there were more than enough gifts from the usa! israel has to grow up and face reality.

Hillary's recent Middle East visit was an exercise in humiliation. She can't really blame Abbas who has just sacrificed his political career by doing what the US told him to do. So that means it's down to Bibi. And Hillary looks to me like a woman who knows how to hold a grudge.

then Israel. What will the USA get for the $ 900 million pledged for the Pals alone next year? Where will it be spent? Aid to Israel is spent in the USA

Israel gets less than 3 billion military aid/year spent in the USA,unlike the much larger sum the Arabs get. Where is the aid to Palestine spent?$900to Pals alone next year.USA gets what for that? Why don't you people send it back if you hate the USA so much.Where is your "honor"? "Israel is expected to receive $2.77 billion in aid in 2010, as called for in the memorandum of understanding in place between the two countries that increases the allocation from the $2.5b." http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1235410727744&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull

Mark... I saw a video of Obama playing basketball. He consistently drove to the basket... getting hacked. That didn't stop him. I believe Obama gives an appearance of calmness and control. But internally he's strong-willed and disciplined. Look at the team he surrounds himself with. They challenge him on a daily basis... believe me Obama is no push-over. At some point, he will tell Netanyahu where to go. That may have already happened and expect the rest of the quasi-politicians in the middle east to hear the same thing.

making friends all over the place, isn't he? Now, the Buddhists have Israel as an ally. Obama needs to leave, one arrogant Chicago politics graduate who'll be out on his butt soon enough. Snub both? We've got a real 'genius' here folks...... I don't think any President has been this arrogant, ever. Obama is making enemies of friends. He will regret this in the next election and his support for anything Muslim.

Remember that Obama is there to help the Palestinians, and is appealing to the Israelis who support that goal. Netanyahu is his worst nightmare. You could see that when he visited Israel during his candidacy. And now Abbas is threatening to quit, and soon there will be no PA, as the ministers threaten to quit along w/him, because that is all they have as a pressure tactic. So this is still a beginning, it's an opening, and Netanyahu has to protect and defend Israel's interests even as he tries to start talks w/the Palestinians. Isn't that what Obama has to do as well, protect American interests?

The problem is not with one or the the other but with both, Netanyahu and Obama!Pandas do not change their spots! it is the same Nethayahu as the previous PM Netanyau. favorable US president [Clinton] or a lesser one [obama] make little difference. the Israel public has elected him and will pay the price for it, as before. the US elected obama and they will pa a dear price for it: Iraq, Iran Afghanistan and the naiveté in which he approaches world affairs: Arabs, Chinese and the Russians - to name a few.the isreli settlement policies are dictated by a minority of religious zealous and this will continue far beyond the current government - regrettably. abbas is defying the USA requests but he can do nothing to, Don obama! Ari suggested association with the chinese a better alternative to the obama admin. wrong ane silly, Ari. i just returned from bejing: have you seen the exposure the chinese media has provided to the weekend visit on the Chinese PM to Cairo and the Arab league. TBC

Fatah, which controls the PA, can hold a conference reasserting its refusal to accept Israel?s existence as a Jewish state while glorifying terrorists and rejecting an end of claims in any future peace agreement with Israel and yet the Obama Administration acts as though the key to the problem is to stop Jews moving into eastern Jerusalem and the West Bank. This is how shadow-boxing and process takes on a life of its own. More at : http://xrl.us/bfq9c8

... on the outcome of the Senate vote on Obama's unprecedented (no aspersions meant!) Health Plan... ... the very positive vote in the House of Representatives revved up Obama's assertiveness, even towards the Bibi... ... now one can only hold-thumbs for his further succcess... and some appropriate tehilim mumbling would not be amiss... (provided, ofcourse, where your sentiments lie...).

He is about to join Fox News Tea Parties. The image of right wing Christian Zionists loving Israel is there and the second coming of Jesus needs an Israel, but hardly a Netanyahu. Let us all hope that Jesus actually shows up and kicks this "money changer" out of his Temple. Banco Rupto!

yet. However, what it does indicate is a strain in the relationship. Although for Netanyahu meeting Obama after the Israeli telly channels have done their evening news it is a disaster. Netanyahu is going to the United States to give the Israeli people the impression that Israel and more importantly Netanyahu is at the centre of moves to prevent Iran achieving parity with Israel. It was central to his election campaign where he came second, and it appears he wants to make it central to his campaign at the next election. As he sells the agreement that the 5+1 have come to is all his own work. Which makes it very unhelpful when his meeting with the President of the United States is yesterdays news before it has even happened. We all know what happened to Yitzhak Shamir when it was percieved in Israel that relations between him and Bush Senior had broken down.

Mark... Hey... I truly hope so. If we go by previous circumstances, the way Israeli administration, the PA and Hamas act-out... Obama will have no other recourse. They will eliminate all options for a peace settlement. Maybe a miracle happen will ... and this will prove me wrong. Cheers...

over a possible declaration of a state by the palestinians; when it's HIS policies that have left them with few alternatives. oy vey. obama ought to let him squirm, before endorsing the palestinian's declaration to the security council.

I doubt that the retribution for the refusal to freeze settlements will end with this "late scheduling" of the meet...

Friedman got it right. Is there enough courage in the White House to carry it through? Especially if the US cut off funding for the PA?

There's a phrase making the rounds at the State Department : The Palestinian leadership "wants a deal with Israel without any negotiations" and Israel's leadership "wants negotiations with the Palestinians without any deal."... Tom Friedman said. For anyone who needs a clear-headed glimpse into Obama's mind-set or anyone else for that matter, can read the rest of this brilliantly-crafted article by Mr. Friedman in today's New York Times. It will alleviate all pretense of who snubbed... who. Here's a link.... http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/opinion/08friedman.html?em

Well, it seems to me that Netanyahu is the one who has humiliated the US in getting us to back down from the anti-settlement stand. I think a majority of US, Jews and non-Jews, want to see this mess resolved and want the piecemeal annexation of the West Bank territories stopped. Current Israeli government seems not to have the slightest intention of doing so. Tom Friedman has the right approach at this point: Disengagement; call the US when Israel and the Arabs are ready to actually deal; meantime, continue the protracted war, as you apparently wish.

He simply read a quote from Churchill in his UN speech. What's wrong with that? And he did NOT say that Israeli scientists would end world oil dependency within a decade. He simply said that Israeli scientists are at the forefront of many of the "green" technologies that are currently being developed.

In the early 90's i believe G H BUSH threatened Yitzak Shamir to halt certain settlement buildings or he would cut of a loan guarantee of 10 billion dollars and the also had threatened to cut off financial aid if he refused to talk to the palestinians in the secret meetings of the late 80's in spain that eventually ran up to the Oslo Accords. In both cases Shamir gave in. Israel is still dependant on the US for financial and military aid and if Netanyahu continues his arrogance on the settlements issue, then Obama should make the same threat. Thats how Israel will move.

Protecting its people and borders is Israel's moral duty. if America demands that Israel relinquish biblical territory, refrain from responding to the murder of its citizens, or cease building in the West Bank, Israel's reply should be "No." And if aid is thereby cut off (unlikely but possible), so be it. Protecting its people and borders is Israel's moral obligation. Maintaining close relations with America is not. Israel will not collapse without America as an ally. It can survive on its own or form alliances with other countries. More at : http://xrl.us/bex2jh

Just as with Johnboy, r cummings, Esther, Nat, Swiss, eric, Chris and the Marks etc - I salute your sober and short and to the factual point of view.

as in Gaza, the demand is the removal of jews, explained as "no Jewish settlements'...the real masters of apartheid are the Arabs...ask the Berber in Morroco or the Mauritarian or Sudanese. What bothers the Arabs whether Fatah or Islamist is that Jews are equals. Obama probably doesn't get it and if he does he doesn't care unless of course it agrandizes him; he wants to savor the role of King and so adulation is very important as is finding a way to please him. Think Ceasar when negotiating with him. Rahm Emanuel is who I would like to understand better.

Netanyahu and Lieberman have nothing to offer in the peace process. A chopped up West Bank crisscrossed by Israeli settlements, Israeli highways and the IDF is worthless. We all know the propensity of Israel to strike with a vengence against whole communities of Arab innocents. Obama has a last chance to make a difference. The Arab world including the Palestinians have been waiting for the Cairo rhetoric to be replaced by action. Palestine is a separate country and has been since the UN division. Only Israel has ignored and trampled Palestine. The process should start with high energy to obtain recognition of an independent Palestinian state regardless of Israel. The USA can broker this process through the UN Security Council and help build a viable, contiguous nation-state so that Palestinians are no longer subject to subtle as well as overt acts of terrorism from its Israeli neighbor.

obama prefers to meet with the prime minister of burma, one of the most repressive regimes in the world. there is no accounting for tastes or politics.

"The true America, Netanyahu says, begins 70 miles west of New York and ends 70 miles east of Los Angeles, and within this enormous space, Israel has millions of loyal supporters." PM Natanyahu Millions may be true. But Middle America has hundreds of millions and they do not support Israeli behavior. President Obama was not dependant on American Jewish votes. He was dependant on the Average American who sent him their tiny contributions which added up to more that twice the Republican war-chest. The American Jewish relationship with the Natanyahu/Lieberman types are shakey. They may still love Israel, obliquely, but defending the indefensible? Israeli use of the "N" word to describe our President doesn't win much support. And believe it, Pres. Obama will not be satisfied until the Palestinians find Justice. Salaam/Shalom

By making impossible the creation of a viable Palestinian State, thru continued Jewish settlements, the only solution possible now is for a new country Palestine-Israel, 2 States, 1 Country. The Palestinians will declare, and Obama will recognize this new state, which will have a Jewish minority over time.

The United States must continue to contribute tens of billions of dollars of wealth to Israel without expecting Israel to do anything but harm to the foreign policy of the United States. Indeed, Israel believes it has the right to treat the United States with total contempt and do it as much harm as Israel pleases. Why should Israel not have such a contemptuous attitude? When has the United States put it's survival above the desires of Israel? Never. So how long should Israel depend for it's national existence upon the United States remaining a nation willing to not only sacrifice it's existence for israel, but pay with national humiliation by israel? Only Israel could imagine such chutzpah. Only Israel could imagine it could forever despise and embarrass American and yet continue to be a welfare client and submissive servant of Israel. Israel has gotten away with treating America with total contempt. As Israel's slave. I am not certain this ability will persist. Israel does.

"The Tragedy of Israeli Dependency." - Ari That dependency has been a fact since the fall or 1973. "What a mistake it was, short years ago, for Israel to cancel its arms deals with China because of US coercion." - Ari Do you think China would send billions of dollars a year to Israel to be spend in the destruction of the national interests of China? Only America would continue to spend billions of dollars every year upon an Israel dedicated to the destruction of the United States foreign policy. Israel should shut up and take the welfare it depends upon without making life more miserable for the United States.

Nentanyahu doesn't stand a chance witht his guuy who happens to be best friends with Rashid Khalili at Harvoard, who is pro-Islamic terrorism .

Netanyahu and Israel will be free of this hostile administration in 12 months. With the next round of congressional elections in 2010, the balance will be tipped against the democrat party and their lefty loons. The march to remove these clowns began this week with two republican governors elected in states that went for Obama. Come next November, Obama's wings will be singed and he will spend the subsequent two years doing nothing but trying to get re-elected--avoiding any confrontation with american jews or conservative christians. a 10% unemployment rate will drive him out. Netanyahu needs to make it loud and clear that Jerusalem will not be divided---ever........

The White House is in dire need of some adult supervision. Thankfully the American voter is aware of this. They will bring Obama and his Dem's to heel in the mid-term elections in 2010. The voters have wisened up to this immature narcississtic president. Americans are by nature very conservative. They have little time or patience for ideologues with agendas like Obama. Good Riddance. The world is too dangerous a place for amateurs like BO.

The facts are that Obama has too many fish to fry and picking a fight (at least in public) with Netanyahu is not what he needs or wants now. Once some of Obamas pressing issues are taken care of and he has more time to devote to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, he will take care of business in style.

Netanyahu should not forget that the whole state of Israel is smaller in size and population than the state of New Jersey. If it were not for the U.S. support Israel will be insignificant in the eye of the world. We are reaching the point where the population is tired of being trashed by a small country like Israel. We know very well that our contry went to war with Iraq for the sake of Israel. We are in Afganistan because of our country's policy to support Israel no matter what.Israel should listen to what the majority of people think and talk about on public television like C-Span and NPR radio where there is no filter. We are fed-up with Israeli policies of rejecting the basic rights of the Palestinian people. President Obama is well determined to act, watch him closely.

Apparently if your viewpoints are not RIGHT of even the Likud, you are considered unfriendly to Israel. What kind of warped thinking is this? Israel is only satisfied when America is biased against the Palestinians vis-a-vis the "peace" process.

You dont understand the American system at all if you think Netanyahu needs to bow to Obama

while Bibi speaks American English, he is aligned with the neo-cons who the Obama people believe to be responsible for the failure to maintain a credible foreign policy based on shared interests rather than simple force; Bibi has had some major blunders such as the attempted elimination of that dude in Amman some years back -harming relations with the King. Obama is perhaps an amateur but he has an experienced team who don't care for Bibi: why not bring someone like Peres along to make nice while remaining firm?

If I were Obama and had Israelis criticizing me for having my feet up on the desk when I was on the telephone with Netanyahu because it is some sort of in-person Arab insult that extend to the privacy of a phone conversation, I wouldn't want to meet with Netanyahu either.

...you have to wait til the very last to get to the point: "Israel complains about the absence of intimacy but only takes and does not give anything in return."

Obama is an articulate, educated but highly inexperienced on the world stage, and, completely blinded by his radical leftist views and his anti-Isreali stance. Whatever lesson Netanyahu gave him was necessary for the survival of Israel and is in keeping with the majority of American's views left, right, Democrat and Republican. We should be confident that Netanyahu is handling and can handle the situation well. Why? Because he is!!!!!!

What a mistake it was, short years ago, for Israel to cancel its arms deals with China because of US coercion. Israel would then have had a balanced, diversified foreign policy, just like so many other countries, in East Asia and beyond, do. Israel votes with the US in the UN more than any other country; no wonder why so many of the other great powers vote against Israel. They challenge Israel out of ANTI-US motives, not anti-Israeli, seeing Israel as America's outpost. If Israel would have persisted in selling arms to China, I wonder if Israel would be in the crisis it is in today. China is a far better and stronger ally than India (which stabbed Israel in the back by its UN vote on Goldstone), and China would value an Israel relationship much more than the US does. Imagine if Israel were to 'soft balance' against the US by cultivating closer ties with the Shanghai CO alliance! Then Israel would have the geopolitical leverage to withstand US pressure in this pressing time.

and that is that President Obama and most of his supporters do not like Israel. Those of us in the U.S. who did not support the man could see this coming as he continued his relationships with his anti-Israel friends. During the last 20 years, the Democrats only act like friends of Israel and have pushed you into positions that severely weaken your standing as opposed to the Arab world. It is like taking small chinks in your armor until you collapse. Many of us in America hope your government will implement policies to protect Israel from a potential loss of American government support. Remember that Obama's support comes from many minority groups and just as the U.N. won't support Israel, neither will many of these groups. Stand strong my brethren!

Netanyahu also had substantial difficulties with former President Bill Clinton who was considered one of the most pro-Israel Presidents ever. The Israeli public is making a huge mistake by buying into Netanyahu's belief that the status quo will not change and that Israel can keep taking more and more land and building more and more settlements on Arab land. There seems to be a popular Israeli fantasy that the Palestinians will either all move to Jordan or agree to accept an occupation that keeps them in a giant prison for the rest of their lives. The settlements ARE an obstacle to peace but not THE obstacle to peace Obama made them. However, Obama's caving in to Netanyahu about the settlements may make Netanyahu cocky and confident but it will do nothing whatsoever to provide a safe and secure future for Israel without any more wars and without having to sacrifice its soldiers. Netanyahu may have won the battle but he has lost the war.

Are you saying that Netanyahu should have shown total obedience to Obama and (i) allowed Obama to unilaterally change previous agreements between Israel and the United States? (ii) agreed with Abbas that there would be no negotiations until all construction was stopped (iii) accepted as Obama apparently has that no Arab country will make any gesture at all to Israel? And then suppose talks get under way and Abbas demands as he has that Israel take back all refugees and their dependents and when Israel refuses Abbas walks out and says he won't come back until Israel complies. If Obama again agrees with Abbas should Netanyahu again give in to Obama?

Why would Obama even bother to meet with guy? After all we have done and is still doing for Israel, they have proven to be nothing but ingrates.

it's more advantageous anyways for the leaders to meet to discuss a possible breakthrough with the current impasse with regards to initiating peace negotiations. If the reported comments by PM Netanyahu of resuming peace negotiations are sincere, then the Road Map obligations should be adhered by Israel to advance a final accord by 2011 and the PA should respond accordingly, perhaps insisting on Gilad Shalit's release as well because it doesn't look like Hamas and other factions will agree to Quartet's conditions in the near future.

"The White House wanted Netanyahu to sweat before being granted an audience with the president, and wanted everyone to see him perspire." - Aluf Benn Revenge is best served cold. "The delays in finding a time to meet, and pushing it to a late hour - after the news programs on Israeli television - make Netanyahu look as if Obama threw him a bone." - AB A fish bone. "The prime minister of Israel was humiliated before all." - ibid Neanyahus so gloated over humiliating Obama. ". . .Netanyahu represents a small country that depends greatly on the United States." - ibid Really? Israel has had a great deal of fun crapping on Obama. Looks like Obama noticed.

a little GRATITUDE should be in order don't you think.

That would have been enough to Pursuade the Neo Cons in Tel Aviv

Why does he want to meet him? For going together in the disco?