Envoy to U.S. Michael Oren denies saying Israel, U.S. drifting apart

I typed Tel Aviv when I should have typed Jerusalem. Brain lock on my part.

which is just another way of saying Israeli rejection of disincorporating the Arab sections of Jerusalem, blocks any peace agreement between Israel and the PA. That's what Obama was hoping for, and Netenuahu's coaltion shot it down, and will never allow it to rise up. The ever rightward march of Israel cannot help but alienate it from the U.S. Israel will lose moral support, U.S., diplomatic support from the U.S., and Israel will end up leaving the 75% of American Jews who are liberal indifferent to Israel's fate. The religius right can schvai in its echo chamber all it wants, but that is what is going on.

Drifting apart? Has the US quit sending money and guns to Israel?

The American people do not (NOT, NOT, NOT!!!) support Israel. I do not know one single gentile that has less than utter contempt and loathing for the Zionist entity. And ZOG is GOING DOWN!

These changes are not tectonic shifts since they are driven almost entirely by President Obama (and some anti-Israel figures like Zbig Brzezinski et al). The overwhelming number of American people are strong supporters of the state of Israel and oppose Obama's policies towards Tel Aviv. When Obama goes (soon, one hopes) his short-sighted amoral "realist" policies go with him.

...and in this case, the truth, is absolute! What a splendid metaphor "Relations (between Israel and the US) are in the state of a tectonic rift in which continents are drifting apart." !

Israel is drifting away from the USA and world Judaism. It is Israel that is causing the drift with its policies on the treatment of the Palestinians whether in Gaza or the West Bank. Those policies are counter to historic Jewish values. There has also been repeated disdain expressed towards the long-standing allies that have tried to assist Israel in reconciliation with the Arabs.

If Oren is trying to blame Obama personally for the change in US-Israel relations, he is doing no favor to Israel. The US does not feel a sense of blame about the Holocaust since it did not participate in it. On the contrary, the US feels great pride in saving the world from Nazism. The positive feeling in the US toward Israel is based on common ideals and of course some Jewish influence on the Congress. But never before did Israel act AGAINST perceived US interests. The US and the West are threatened by radical Islam, and a major battle cry of the Islamists is the Palestinian situation. Israel must help the US in removing this problem so that it is not used to recruit more terrorists. Instead, Israel ignores the Arab initiative for peace, and Netanyahu makes every effort to continue the occupation and undermine the peace talks with Abbas. The tectonic shift, or just crisis, is the fault of our ideologically-run Israeli government.

Half the time Oren is saying stupid things. The other half he is denying he said them. Add it all together and Oren is putting in full days on behalf of Israel.

Michael Oren should be replaced, he is an embarrassment,.the first Israeli Ambassador to the United States who has picked fights with American Jews and American Jewish organizations. The report given in this article about his report to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem last week is proof positive an example of Israeli right-wing politicians collusion with the American right-wing and the Republican Party in their ongoing effort to destroy the Presidency of Barack Obama for U.S. political reasons. The fight the Israeli right wing has stoked among American Jews with Obama can only hurt Israel which depends on America and it's President to save them from their current stupidity and self destructiveness. It is clear that most American Jews see these attacks as a con job, an attempt to steal the largely Democrat Jewish community and deliver them to the Republicans. If for your own reason you also have been suckered by Netanyahu, Oren and company then try on the fact that they misread Obama badly.

there's no hope of civilizing the Haredi, the settlers or Netenyahu, not to mention 'their Lieberman'...

Israels relationship with the arab and muslim world since day 1 has never been good right now we have only a cold peace with Egypt, Israels relations with King Hussains son have not been as good as they were with his father. Israel & the arabs are opposites like fire and water and do not mix. When he came to power Obama chose that his loyalties would be to the arabs and every chance he gets he looks for a conflict with Israel. He has been to Saudi Arabia twice, he gave a speech in Egypt which was pretty much backing arab propoganda Israel only exists because of the Holocaust, he has not visited Israel even when he was in Egypt ( next door ). Sure the Israeli government isn't perfect and there will naturally be some rifts at times because of policy clashes but Obama is looking to create problems so he can come charging in and let the arabs know I AM ON YOUR SIDE. Relations between Israel and America have no chance of getting better until we either start saying yes sir mr president sir on even the tiniest issues and never stand up for ourselves or until Obama goes.

Thanks for saying what most of us were thinking when only IDF edited footage was released. Shortly thereafter, US polls backed Israel's version of the story. Now the rest of the world knows why that's the case.

obviously israel is not happy with obama and that means obama is going to loose next elections. Obama realise the threat that AIPAC and neocons are in a full fight against him. watch for the israeli supported media attack against obama when the eelections come. dont american people see that obama is working for USA benefits not israel`s !

obviously israel is not happy with obama and that means obama is going to loose next elections. Obama realise the threat that AIPAC and neocons are in a full fight against him. watch for the israeli supported media attack against obama when the eelections come. dont american people see that obama is working for USA benefits not israel`s !

that the tail will continue to wag with the dog for quite a while. Unfortunately bets are forbidden in my country.

The effect of our to INABILITY to attend to the likely RESULTS of our ACTIONS can result in crisis. Crisis can be ongoing, there is really no specific time limit. The Palestinians have been in crisis for the past 43 years. The Jews have been in crisis for thousands of years and continue to be in crisis, where they are most comfortable and strengthen their identity. It's important that the Jew always be portrayed as the victim. Crisis is defined in Wikipedia and the crisis between the United States and Israel is due because they DO NOT SHARE THE SAME GOALS. The United States can be looked at as a threat to the GOAL OF ISRAEL. Now we have to ask,......What is Israels goal ? One of Israels top priorities is to MAKE THE PALESTINIAN ESTINCT......GENOCIDE There are many good reasons why THE ENTIRE WORLD is against what Israel is doing. The inability for Israel to conform to the National Community in areas of " human rights " and "international law." But in terms of business, things couldn't be better, so what's the big deal about a little disagreements ?

The principles of the US constitution are antithetical to Israel's OCCUPATION and land-grabs, illegal under international law, and in conflict with basic morality starting with "thou shalt not covet, steal, bear false witness against thy neighbour, murder. America has certainly declined in global esteem to the degree that she has abandoned the principles of her constitution which made her a moral giant in the world. Not perfect, but relatively so. No more: ruined by her Christian Zionists and their vote-followers in Congress and the White house.

....of right-wing Zionism (including big parts of the mainstream U.S. TV networks), the American people will continue to suffer both on the econo- mical and the security front, and Israel will continue to drift straight into a one state solution. So a deep rift in U.S./Israel relations would actually be good news for all peace loving people in America, Europe and the Middle East (yes, Israel explicitly included there !!). Let's therefore hope and pray, that the rift between Israel and the U.S. will be substantial enough, to bring the (urgently) needed changes on the ground..... .....unfortunately in this case, one couldn't say "that it's never too late".

President Obama is a listener. He seeks advice from many distinguished diplomats and retired military folk such as Colin Powell, The gracious president has an overladen plateful of undercooked food. Not edible for sure. The oil travesty on the Gulf Coast, violence in Iraq,the rift with Kabul and renewed economic negative results, upcoming elections where the Democrats may well lose both Houses. Lets forget about terrorism and just concentrate on the domestic scene in the US. The president has learn t his first lesson, you cannot please everybody. He has learn t that trust is not a one way street. He also knows that his poll numbers are well below 50 percent. He also has learn t that sinking ships cannot always be saved, for although he is the captain, his motley crew leaves much to be desired. These are not lessons that can be taught to a junior senator, the latter comes from hands on experience. I give Pres.Obama an A for effort. Ambassador Oren, should be far more diplomatic, for the president is coming of age, faster than many believe, the learning curve has finally kicked in. Good day from sweet sunny Swiss Alps.

can no longer bear the wrongdoings of Israelis leaderships, there is only way to change this: make Israeli public feel the same as you. But how? Israel is a democracy and to replace Netanyahu it is necessary Israelis feel there is a need to change. They will only do that if their reality is somehow affected. Otherwise, they will always see the evils of occupation as an annoyng problem, as a domestic problem as any regular country has, The world can be against them, they can lose friends, whatever, they will not change their behaviour because they will always see the occupation as a normal price the country has to pay to exist. BUT, if they feel in their pocktes the price for the occupation, if Israelis are prohibited to enter other countries, if a huge international boycott is put into place, they, in few weeks, if the Israeli living in most obscure areas as Mitzpe Ramon would feel the need for change and force a change. Without a vigorous, coordinated and effective boycott campaign, Israelis will not feel the need to change and the situation will remain the same: a wonderful country with lovely people completely isolated from the world, ruled by immature and arrogant leaders.

in 2 years time.? Its over,especially as they have safe haven in Pakistan. Whose side is Obama really on.?

Although so would be normally to happen.Israel damages the West,meanwhile the West shares Israeli's values:violence,insolence,minimizing others,instead that Israel adopt West values:tolerance,rationalism,

Obama a one-man show???? How about Netanyhu? Why does Israel do so many dumb things that irritate the world?

israel biggest misfortune was the american blank cheque which allowed it to run amok. now america is hurting... its been knocked off its perch... is despised and at best disrespected... and can no longer afford israels senanigans. americans at large have realised this and are trying to correct course.... but they are not doing enough.... the u.s. will have to be hurt much more before it s really forced to bring israel to heel. will israel understand this and adjust accordingly or will arrogance continue to blind and damage it... time will tell

israels biggest misfortune was the blank che

the man is a narcissist who loves and craves power. he grabs it whenever he can.

Not the least hint of a project, solution, strategy or tactics shared with US : only the usual hasbara the new generation of americans do not buy.

and you know they like our money

"Only after some time, when video from the ship arrived and was aired by the American media, did public opinion begin to shift in Israel's favor." Actually, people immediately pointed out that Israel was confiscating and not releasing full evidence, but an altered video tape specially made to show only the IDF's side. People deplored the cover-up. I don't think Israel's worldwide standing got ANY better after the awful, amateur-like techniques employed by the IDF to falsify the story.

Last years, we ve all witnessed the rekease of a new handbook: How to break relations with our closest friends. oops.. friends, no, rather allies, that stopped taking it all going one way. Sad to see, but going rogue in a Chinese shop, there is indeed a risk is to smash some precious stuff.

87 seneators and 300 congressroom wrote support to Obama for Israel and the world ignores this fact. Obama started his presidency by courting the Moslem states, treated Natanyu badly when he came to visited then courted Karzai, a know corrupt politician with all the bells and whistles. US is Israel's friend, Obama is NOT.

Suits me. Are we a state or not ?

a symbiotic relationship.if the u.s.a. moves away from Israel it will be worse for the u.s.a. than for Israel. move against Israel and it will be the worst of all!

Once cannot really have much to say about the utterances of Mr. Oren. They are patently contradictory, at times simply untrue and most of the time have a hidden agenda he is trying to service. Only emperors of decaying empires behave the way the Israeli government does. That is not entirely their fault. The US Likudists helped that to develop, as if President Bush and his Neo-Conservative entourage will last in the White House for ever. In maintaining this imperial posture, Israel alienated many friendly states, and demonstrated a regional appetite that is enough to drive its only ally in the region, Turkey, seeking cover in taking an anti-Israeli posture. Instead of reconciling itself to its region, and attempting to build a viable future within the Middle East, insisted on remaining an outpost for the US, and as such dependent on the US for even its existence - material and psychological. There is no place in the 21st Century for a country that behaves like Israel - a country that prevents an international academic from entering occupied areas, where assassinations are the order of the day, and roads are designated: Arab Roads and Jewish Roads... The Internet closed the gap in the information delivery around the world. Israel is growingly a pariah and a rogue state for probably the vast majority of inhabitants of this planet. The interests of the US and Western countries are, themselves, changing, and in a direction that would not require the 'outpost.' This means Israel has to stand on its own feet. And Israel, in its pseudo-Imperial posture is simply unable to do so. Witness the 2000, 2006 and the Gaza defeats at the hands of what Israeli leaders described variously as 'rag-tag' bandits! So whither Israel? Mr. Orens may have a point, but one cannot be sure it is the same as any reasonable analyst would have. Whither Israel, Indeed!

Obama should avoid giving the impression that Israels numerous violations is accepted. "If and only if all aspects of the UN242 is adhered to will any legitimacy be prescribed to the illegal annexation of Arab land". The US should stop shielding Israel from sanctions and allowing their illegal state to continue.

Israel needs to know that settlement building will never be acceptable to any American leader. Whenever there's any sign progress (Palestinian public opinion is for peace with Israel), forces in Israel move aggressively to negate its positive impact (Likud votes to resume settlement building in September) Obama can be Israel's best friend and strongest supporter if Israel moves aggressively to make peace with the PA. Tom Friedman's column in today's NY Times says it all.

This one term president is losing the confidence of the American people slowly buy surely.

or in the typical Israeli - either close your eyes and support us 100% or you're 100% against us and an anti-Semitic - perspective? Hmmmm? Or are his comments maybe the result of his propensity for losing touch with reality - as evidenced by his recent comments about Pollard?

it's time for israel to prove that it is A) not a welfare state (no more free weapons, no more grants, no more aid money) and B) not an immoral/illegitimate state (no more illegal occupation, no more illegal blockade, no more settlements). if israel can't do those 2 things then i see no reason to support them. it's been doing us more harm than good lately and lord knows we have our own problems in this country to deal with.

Every world leader that has any dealings with Netanyahu ends up despising him. Better to stay home and do less damage

Drifting apart simply means that Israel openly spits in Americas face over the settlement issue but still eagerly grabs all the American handouts.

Obama, Erdogan, Biden and Hillary - Are No Friends of Israel Obama is a Third World persona; he isn't a typical American politician. Obama's views are much closer to these of Erdogan, Abbas, Hamas, Zbig, Jimmy the Anti-Semite and the Jewish traitors from J Street, to Rahm Axelrod scam. The enemies of the Jewish state were preparing for the Obama coronation since 2006. The plan included the weakening of the American Jewry with the help of the Jewish traitors, ante-Semites among the American politicians, the Arab and Soros money. Most of the Jewish traitors are of German ancestry. The second goal is to undermine Israel as a strong country and turn it into a weak appendage of the US, protected by the NATO forces. Unfortunately for the Obama and his adherents, Israel is at its strongest phase, no matter what the leftist traitors are saying.

"Relations are in the state of a tectonic rift in which continents are drifting apart." Interesting metaphor but with AIPAC no drifting here. Why just look at their latest mouthpiece, Chap named Philip H. Gordon.

When the "Freedom Flotiila" incident inflammed the world most Americans were already of the mind that those onboard those ships deserved whatever dire fate awaited at the hands of the IDF. When the videos showing what Israeli commandos had to endure came to light the reaction was almost universally incredulity given the world's reaction. Americans always have a habit of saying..."what if that were me" when making their judgements. Most were wondering why the IDF was using paint balls! That coupled with an almost 90% negative feeling toward the Palestinians resulted in a solid 70% + polling of support for Israel. The only place there was a lack of support was the 30% hard core left supporters of Obama and his cadre...and Obama himself. If Oren has come away from Washington thinking there has been a "tectonic" shift it was because he was on the soft ground of the politicians and their ideologies and he let them shake him up. Israel does not have the luxury 10 years to turn around what some perceive as a PR problem. Political strategy is critical at this point; don't trust Obama or Congress to do anything but get in the way of what Israel knows is in Israel's best interest. Take it to the American people without saying a single word to them. By that I mean act and let the chips fall where they may. It was not AIPAC that secured the signatures on the letter of support from congress, it was fear of the American people who rightly believe the government has lost conviction and a moral compass. It may be hell for Israel while all hell breaks out in the United States when you do act...but the dust will settle in Israel's favor. Have a little faith...there's a reason the Mexican drug cartels don't lob missles and mortars (or even snipe) across the border; all hell would break out and not one politician in Washington would show himself in Texas or Arizona until every cartel shooter was dead and every weapon was siezed 50 miles deep into Mexico. Americans don't understand why Israel puts up with 50K missles in Lebanon and Americans really don't care that Obama doesn't get it. Shape your field while you still have the chance.

Taht is an apt description of the chasm widening between Israel and America since O**** (his name is not fit to mention or spell in mixed company) usurped the presidency. Thanks be to God Almighty that Israel has Bibi to hold the line until the U.S. can reclaim the presidency from this muslim pretender. Keep the faith, Bibi. Keep the faith!

what a world we live in.

Obama's dems couldn't even win in mass and will lose the house this year. Obama has pathetic approval ratings and in a few years when a non left wing leader is president there won't be a draft. Israel had record ratings in a gallup poll in the u.s so the problem isn't a drift between the u.s and israel it is between obama and israel and obama is politically outdated when his party couldn't even win in mass.

If President Obama wants to demonstrate his commitment to Israel and the Jewish People he must now come to Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu never meet with President Obama again until he come to Israel. Americans even the most liberal democrats don't like our President anymore. And if the President will not come to Israel then just ignore him until we get a new President and that could happen in two years. You are better off having direct talks with Syria, Hamas and Hezbollah than President Obama at least you know who your dealing with. Shalom

Mr. Oren might be good friend to the Prime Minister and excellent representative of right wing extremist ruling regime, but he should not forget that he is representing whole Israel right and left and the middle. Diplomats travel around world and have very good information about world affairs and he should be LOYAL to state of Israel not to the RIGHT WING EXTREMIST RULING REGIME, because this tenure can limited but after affects of current situation will be lasting, get out of SHELL and try to do real DIPLOMACY called LIVE AND LET LIVE not just beacuse you have good coonections with POWER LOBBIES the best COONECTION IS CONNECTION with GOD of ALL the Religions.

Enough of this stupid situation. Israel has got to grow up and not continue to be a vassal to the U.S. We've given Israel more than enough bucks to keep her afloat. Enough is enough!

going after Israel shooting two guns from the hips. Unfortunately he is not been as aggressive towards terrorism and enemy states. What a sad period in American history

...the laws of physics do NOT apply--in that you CAN be in "two places at the same time" (opinion-wise)--but it's become increasingly harder in the internet age to GET AWAY WITH IT. (On the other hand, he's probably got a pretty hefty expense account.)