Netanyahu thought he could take Obama, and lost

...as Matty Groves pointed out over at Ynet, President Obama has fulfilled at least 91 of his campaign promises already and is on the verge of passing the health care bill tomorrow. A viable, fair and just peace deal between the Palestinians and Israel was another highest priority. As President Obama told Diane Sawyer of ABC News: "I'd rather be a really good one-term president than a mediocre two-term president." You just go on thinking it's all a big joke. Tjoy.

that does exist judge the human race and each nation by the way we treat foreigners and outsiders who are in our power. It's not my call but I suspect many American, Russian, Chinese, Arab, and Western European leaders will not fare well in that judgment, but again it's not my call. I also suspect that many leaders of Israel will do not better. I voted for Barak Hussein Obama, and hope to do so again, in part because he has injected an element of badly needed humility into the calculus of some very hard politics. Netanyahu and the right in Israel needed and deserved this hopefully and apparently successful attitude adjustment.

The potential loss of strategic cooperation with the US Military Industrial Complex will keep Israel in de facto subjugation to the will of the current American administration whilst still trying to score points with the now much strengthened Jewish right-wing. And because Obama and Clinton have their sights set on a Palestinian State with the support of the American military, isn't an American mediated deal with the Palestinian Authority a foregone conclusion? The alternative is global destablilization and all out war with the Iranian axis sooner rather than later. So Pfeffer is correct in his analysis but gloating at Bibi serves no purpose.

It is evident that sections of the US establishment - academic, intelligence, military - have been seeing Israel as a liability rather than an asset. Israel has not won a single war in 40 years. And funding it is costing the US in political credibility. The Harvard study was only the beginning, the US will have to distance itself from Israel before it becomes a millstone round the american neck. Hence the new strain in relations.

You obviously haven't worried your silly little mind with reports coming out of Moscow where the Quartet held a meeting. In which they stated that the two state solution will be enacted within 24 months. You also haven't heard that the EU is going to unilaterally declare a Palestinian State based on the 1967 Greenline. But the 24 month timline is interesting it is within the term of Barack Hussein Obama.

It is disgusting how so many Americans here are airing out their dirty laundry. Remember what Churchill said about not criticizing your government when abroad (or in this case when posting on a foreign web site). You can make up for it when you get home (or in this case when you are posing on an American website). I did not vote for the man but he is our President right now and in the end Americans need to respect that and understand that its their country right or wrong. Elections do have consequences and it is the President who sets foreign policy.

If Israel wants to continue to receive BILLIONS of American dollars EACH YEAR when our economy is tanking the government of Netanyahu had better think a bit more in future before going out of their way to embarrass the US VP and President with their settlement announcements. In addition, I think the message to Americans could not be more clear than it was made by our senior military staff when they offered that Israel's actions can and do put our soldiers lives in danger while fighting in Muslim lands. Quite simply, the game has changed! Americans are now starting to focus much more on our own economic future. These wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are costing us over a TRILLION dollars and as Americans lose more jobs and become more destitute, you can be sure that they will start to become much more receptive to those that point at Israel as being part of the problem in regard to peace and endangering the lives of our soldiers overseas.

Description on how to give Obama treatment he deserves.Laughed my head off. Seriously though that is exactly what Obama needs and were I any where near him WOULD APPLY it withought a second thought. I replied yesterday,but naturally Haaretz are rather squeamish,not wanting to be controversial and allway have to be oh so politically correct YAKS! That yours was published gives me a THRILL.

Bibi can do a fine job of imitating a PM who doesn't speak english. He can stick his fingers in his ears and go "Nyahh nyahh nyahh, I can't hear you, I can't hear you!" As he has every right to do, being the PM of a sovereign nation.

The issue was already resolved but Obama contrived to bring his agenda forward by seizing the opportunity to reignite it to a crisis level. He employed tactics and language reminiscent of past incitements to pogrom against the jews. The use of emotional language to fire up the masses is reminiscent of Krystalnacht and all it symbolizes. Biden had already accepted the apology but Obama reversed it. Those jews that collude with this are "useful idiots" or Kapos. The Israeli left conspires with jStreet and US jewish left to realize the agenda of the Soros/Saudi funders of jStreet.

24 months Eh! What date please so we can start planning the Sell-a-brasions

Mr. Bush allowed Bin Laden to escape from Afghanistan at Tora Bora. Then he attacked the wrong country (Iraq) so his corporate friends could steal billions of dollars while making peaceful Muslims hate the U.S. (and by proxie, Israel) more than ever. You're also accurate in stating that Obama has killed and captured more terrorists in 1 year then Bush erased in 8 years. One of the Right Wing lunatics in the U.S. actually complained that Obama was killing too many terrorists and it was reducing the amount of available intelligence. Most of the Right wingers complained that the "underwear bomber" wasn't talking because he was afforded his Miranda rights. When the FBI said he was singing like a canary, they claimed that the would-be bomber was talking too much and all that viable intelligence would scare the other terrorists into hiding. These are the idiots who were the brains behind Mr. Bush. And yes, Bush pushed for the elections that led to Hamas taking power in Gaza.

The Haaretz' demolition crew is so bent on fashioning the public dialogue along the outmoded political thinking of the discredited Left, that like the wrecking crew from Chicago, currently running the White, cannot let a tragedy go by unexploited. That Bibi is a bit of a messy type is a given. That he is surrounded by backstabbing partners and a uniformed media in Israel is also a given. If the author of this most in depth analysis cared to learn more about the background of the Chicago types he'd have a better understanding of what we are dealing with. Instead he like the mobsters who now operate the White House, is trying to sneak into the government the useless and utterly failed Tzipi livni. Te entire take is meant to produce an opening for this miserable partner to the Lebanon failure. It is painful to read Haaretz, thankfully I am not a subscriber.

The US would respect more if Israel laid down its guide lines for negotiations and stood by them rather then play games.

Israel knows that this slap was long due.

For those who think that theprice of upsetting the US is the removal of some loan guarantees, remember that there will probably be a Security council resolution soon on the Goldstone report. Who are you relying on to veto this? Also remember that a classic UN sanction is the banning of funding for an illegal activity. If the UN sanctions settlements than this will preobabaly take the form of banning all involvement in raising funds that can be used for settlements or for forwarding these funds to Israel.

I make no apologies for President Obama's tactics, but at the same time, it's a bit ludicrous to accuse any one person or administration of diplomatic ineptitude considering the thousands of years of failure by everybody. Obama has had less than 14 months to change all of human history. Maybe it would be worthwhile to give him a few years to work impossible miracles where all others have failed through the millennia. Whaddya think?

And George Bush was a great friend of Israel? During the Republicans Israel had to fight two wars. Hezbollah took over Lebanon. Hamas took over Gaza (in an election Bush ordered over Israeli objection). Iran went from no nuclear accelerators to 10,000. No new sanctions were implemented against Iran. Hatred of Jews and Israel increased dramatically after the invasion of Iraq and acts around the world skyrocketed. The world was convinced that America was at war with 1.2 Billion Muslims. In one year Obama has reversed this dangerous trend. After Obama's speech in Cairo, Hezbollah lost the election in Lebanon. The world no longer can say that the American president hates Islam and is the devil. Imadinnerjacket looks silly when he says it. Pakistan has killed and captured more Al Queda and Taliban in a year than Bush did in eight. All of Obama's closest advisors and friends are Jewish. He has tremendous support from the Jewish Community in Chicago where they know him.

Is this a serious analysis or just a continuation of a shadow play, as I suspect it is? I can't divorce myself from the feeling that the smoke will dissipate to reveal Netanyahu still building and Obama silenced. It is news to me, if true, that Israel has been building in East Jerusalem for so long, but given the level of complicity between the Israeli and U.S. governments, not surprising. Bill Clinton, our most Zionist president, said nothing for eight years as the settler population of the Occupied Territories doubled.

Elect a PM that doesn't speak English. Make it more difficult for Hillory Billory to stick her nose where it doesn't belong.

The Israeli right may think they can roll Obama and display contempt for his foreign policies -- perhaps because they see how the domestic right in the U.S. seem to be 'standing up" to Obama on his health bill. This would be a serious mistake for Israeli conservatives to make. Obama is still the dominant figure of his time, will win the health bill and other significant pieces of legislation in his first term, and the US economy is already recovering. Obama will win handily win a second term in three years and is likely to remain the dominant political figure in the U.S. for decades after. Can Israel seriously take the chance of pitting itself against such a serious and deeply popular political figure, hoping against hope that his right-wing enemies will succeed in toppling him, thus returning to the let-Israel-do-whatever-Israel wants to policy of Bush II? Somebody better wak Netanyahu up. Does Israel want the U.S. to become like the UK and France in its attitudes to the Jewish State?

Many in the US are very discouraged. His popularity has fallen through the floor. Obama's foreign policy has been a disaster. North Korea thumbs its nose; China refuses to give into sanctions on Iran, this coming after Obama's personal visit. He bows to Putin and takes a defense system off the table, a complete back step to NATO allies. In return no movement from Russia on Iran. He extends a hand to Asaad and in response we see him huddle with Amajinidad and his Hezbollah puppet. Domestically, people are getting fed up with his deficit spending. Netanyahu is doing the right thing, just smile and make the gestures needed to live another day with the liberals that are running wild in DC. It will not last for much longer. Ted Kennedy, the grand old democrat from the liberal state of Massachusetts who pushed the Democratic Party to back Obama, must be spinning in his grave. The State of Massachusetts voted in a Republican to take his chair. That pretty much says it all!

What exactly has he done to improve his foreign policy SHOW ME I am curious. Apart from upsetting Israel,continuing with Afghanistan(without success),N.Korea cocking a kocking a snook at the US,done nothing about Iran,merely passively with his usuakl rhetoric,bowing low to the Saudi King,monatery problems including the health care(all promises),etc,etc. And you are going to vote for him rather than the Republicans? Than on your head BE IT. Fool us once shame on us,fool us TWICE shame on Obama is what I say. And if you insist,then you are the biggest fool ever.

In answer to the statement from "Tony" that Obama has to learn to respect Jews, please be reminded that respect is something which must be earned.Israel, in the eyes of the informed world has not earned respect. Israel, after its own period of international terrorism,to establish a State, has denied Palestinians their rights for over 60yrs.What makes you think Jews are deserving of respect now?

The night before Israel dissed Biden- Bibi and his gang got together in Israel to honor Rev Hagee, the American Evangelical "end days" minister who supports one state solution and gives big $$ to settlers. Hagee is a rabid anti-Catholic bigot. Most Americans are unaware. Imagine if another US ally had honored a rabid anti-Semite bigot cleric. It would have made the front page of 3/4 of American newspapers and every cable news cycle.

Amidst all those talkbacks at Haaretz I really do like those which threaten the United States of America or keep insulting the US-Government. Best ones are those which claim that US is completely dependent on Israels good will?. and that US should behave »comme il faut? « Keep on, guys! It is funny!

... that is acting out the loose-cannon role par excellance...

I rejoice for Obama*s health care plan that covers the 30% poor Americans, who cannot afford a health care insurance. At the same time I am surprised by the Americans* lacking collective empathethic solidarity towards their own people. Incomprehensible. Obama, keep focused on the U.S. internal affairs *only*. You*re doing a great job there, BUT do the world a favour: stay out from its affairs...especially the ME*s. Thank you!

How is it you can say that the majority of blacks hate jews?Di you find it in a poll? Have you had a bad experience? How about e say that the majority of blacks in the US hate racist paranoids.

Israelis you do not have that much power. Obamas low numbers are a direct result of the Health Care bill. In fact there is now larger number of people in the US who are against Israeli Settlements. 49% against Settlements- 23% for Israel, and the rest undecided. Don't think so highly of yourselves.

Bibi has not yet persuaded Obama that Israel is a sovereign nation. Bibi is coming to DC next week. He needs to get on world IV with Obama. Light a big cigar. Blow smoke in Obama's face and kick him in the shins. Say "Obama, you are my biatch. AIPAC has the votes and there is not one thing you can do about it. I could make one phone call and get you impeached. And the next time you question Israel's soveriegnty over Jerusalem, Judea, or Samaria, that's just what I'll do." Then kick him in the shins again, slap his face a few times and walk off. Everybody who hates Obama will be *delighted*. And there are a lot of them. There are a lot of Americans who think about blacks the way you think about Palestinians. Imagine if an Israeli-Arab somehow got to be PM of Israel....

The US in all its might will blink first.The mouse knows were to bite the giant

2010 Will serve as The Mandate Obama was a mistake.East Jerusalem settlemments were not part of the agreement, despite my Vice President`s rants. Of course it was never on the agenda.Could it be desperation? Meantime,they are putting the onus on a vulnerable country Israel. And if they continue they will rue the day. Israel can survive it somehow,but can America who is supposed to be an example to i.e Russia,China two strongest and most popular countries in the world. I think Obama will have to thread very carefully and stop being such a megalomaniac. His popularity at home is at a low ebb. He should remember before taking the unwarranted steps toward Israel that will ultimately bring him down I care not. Frankly the sooner that happens the better for us Americans,and Israel in particular. The troika is doomed to failure.One day they say one thing,the next apologies. This is not a child's game.Clinton,Biden,Obama. And his two acolytes--Axelrod/Emanuel TROUBLE MAKERS.

When Obama and Netanyahu meet, all Obama has to do is jingle the US money that goes to Israel, billions since Israel's inception. Hear those clinking NS, Bibi? If you don't want to lose them, listen to Obama.

and in the aftermath of Netanyahu making his point General Patraeus directly linked dead American soldiers to the United States foreign policy towards Israel. And in the US the military trumps AIPAC. Even Debkafile has interpreted this as providing an American Military umbrella to a future Palestinian State. If you think building in East Jerusalem is going to continue unabated and it comforts you then you keep thinking that. In reality Netanyahu accelerated the creation of a Palestinian State, which will come into existence in 24 months time.

Pfeffer needs to know that Obama is not king of Israel. Israel is a sovereign country and is not a colony of any other world powers. It is time the loose canons understand this. Netanyahu is right in defending Israel's sovereignty and national security interests.

Being despised by the Obama gang is not insulting at all.You have the worst ignoramus acting as your president right now.Any randomly chosen citizen would perform better.

Israel, but that Israelis and their supporters can interfere with America.

First Tony, now "Jr." Seriously, most blacks (or mixed-U.S. citizens) aren't anti-Semitic and "Jr." is just showing his bigotry in that statement. Oh and BTW, thanks to Israel's actions, it's easy to "look good" bashing Israel.

Obama is no where near losing at home. On the contrary, his numbers are steady and he will do just fine come election time. Case in point, I've been a hardcore Republican all of my life and did not vote for him. Guess what? I and many like me will vote for him because of his foreign policy approach. Israel has gone too far for far too long...this fiasco has to stop and sooner rather than later.

At some point a poker player has to show his or her cards. What are Netanyahu and his merry band of extremists holding?: enforcement of their will on a subject population by military force. That's not a good hand to play, particularly as an apparently permanent strategy. It had to fail and it will. A peaceful resolution of the conflict, including, of course, an absolute shutdown of Hamas' belligerent acts is ineluctable. Whether it's over or not, it is, indeed over because of the political courage being shown by the Obama administration. I disagree with Mr. Pfeffer's characterization of our foreign policy as "inept," but that's too much for this small venue.

"For the good of both countries" Why is our relationship with Israel good for us? I see it more as an enormeous burden.

You really think Netanyahu wants a fight? You're nuts.

A must read article for all the anti Israel leftists on here like Levy, Hass, Eldar, Anshel Pfeffer etc On PA television for kids, Israel is only a fairy tale http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=171272 On PA television for kids, Israel is only a fairy tale BEN HARTMAN 3/18/2010

Let's face it folks. The primary value to us of a PM, or at least a very major part, is to keep relations with our supporters ($3Billion a year currently, plus) namely the US on an even keel and even good. Our string, which is also Bibi's string has run out. The only way he can even survive is to bring in others who are more favorably viewed by the US. Have never seen such division in Israel. On one side, those who fought for Israel and gave her blood and are paying the bill. On the other, the blood sucking parasites and religious kooks who want to take us back 2,000 years. It won't fly, Israel has changed. Man up to it, take our losses and move on. If we are as good as we think we are, we will win in the end, even without the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

are possible and better for the ME.The great regional potential should be positively developed instead of hate and enmity.PEACE:

From the moment it took office the current government of Israel launched an attack upon the Obama administration clearly intended to smear, humiliate, and thwart him. This is clearly the result of the Israeli right preferring that America have an ultra-right regime like the Bush boy. The goal of Netanyahu has been to help topple the Obama administration. So far he has not succeeded, but he has suffered nothing for his efforts. Indeed, the Obama administration seems to be backing down.

Let's start with 8 years of Geo W Bush, who had a "hands-off" approach to Israel, during which time Israel overestimated their "inside" strentgh in Wash DC. When AIPAC was dragged through 6 years of court hearings and eventually investigations for spying were dropped agaisnt two AIPAC individuals, Washington "insiders" knew our relationship was out of balance. Lebanonese '06 War and Cast Lead Operation into Gaza continued to paint a picture for Wash DC "insiders" of a problem allaiance. Peace talks are the only direction to go--comprehensive talks: with Palestinians, Syrians, and the Lebanonese.

"[Obama's]foreign policy over the past year, particularly in the Middle East, has been exceptionally clumsy, to say the least." It's astounding that you can write this after what the last US administration did in the ME. I love Israel, but the country is wearing blinders.

your pious sentiments are all very well.... but israel has endangered its own future by putting their faith in people like bibi, liberman... all the way back to sharon. the us is israels only friend.. sadly they are blind to israels loutishness. hope they are seeing the light, before its too late.

The anti-Obama crowd believes that the prsident failed in his foreign policies. Not so. His style is to give adversaries a wide lattitude, enough rope, and then tighten it. He is doing what is necessary with brain, not brawn. Netanyahu who is a bully by nature, misread the president, who then yanked on the rope. If and when Obama signs the health bill, his power and craftiness will be apparent. The AIPAC crowd too will have to understand that a 2 state solution and building in East Jerusalem are mutually exclusive. They also have to understand that by indirectly supporting the Shas and Ultra Orthodox agenda they are not helping Israel.

"No conflict of interest"? The author is delusional. American Jews must now make a choice: continue the ADL and AIPAC line and be disloyal to their country OR break from Israel and refuse to be a part of the great illegal land grab. Petraeus has taken the lid off of the Genie of truth for all to see: Israel is dangerous to the US and its troops. Once most Americans appreciate this fact, Israel will be alone......Except for "Reverend" Hagge!

Just watch , as thing quieten down and they will, this administrartion will now be vary wary of pushing Israel beyond what is reasonable and developement in Jewish Jerusalem will continue without the fanfare.

The Obama administration has destroyed the strategic alliance between the US and Israel. This whole process of negotiations is basically between the US and the Arabs, Israel is told what it will do by the Obama administration and we are told that this is fair? Obama has lost so much support in the US, that Israel should tell his administration that the talks are off. What power does Obama have to force Israel to yield to the demands of the Arabs, none. Obama forces everything onto the people as though his vision is the final word on the subject. He is the most arrogant president since Carter.

This article buys the American rightwing spin as gospel concerning Obama's foreign policy and international style of diplomacy. The articles thinks of Obama as tentative, and misguided. The opposite is true. It's been so long since Israel engaged in international decency toward the moderate Palestinians that cordiality is mistaken for weakness when others, such as Obama, embrace that approach. America has never been more widely respected for the new way of respect he uses as a tool of diplomacy. Thank God he has the strength to know it is only from strength that one can risk what fools may perceive as weakness.

Margaret Thatcher was Iron Lady of UK and Bibi is Iron Man or Iron Lord of Israel.Sooner or later he could be voted as the Best PM of Israel in its history. Ironically not by Jews but by Arabs.

Bibi formed a government dependent on clowns and extremists. Now it's payback time for all thoose mistakes. A professional MoFa should have been able to advice and avoid thoose crisis. Instead Ayalon and Lieberman are speeding for disaster in nearly every foreign relation, especially thoose relations cruzial for Isarels safety in the world. The proble is not that they dismiss Isarels enemies, the problem is that they behave so unprofessional that they emabarras Israels friends.

Obama was a mistake.East Jerusalem settlemments were not part of the agreement, despite my Vice President's rants. I knew that, but who does not have one or more family members who voted for this error. We had the warnings...a one term loser president.

Netanyahu said every PM has been building in East Jerusalem for the last forty years, he meant every PM has been stealing land for the last forty years or didn't was peace.

made up as it is of right wing religious nutjobs believe in the Goy in the Goyim principal, and to ensure his name is on the PMO's office he has to go along with it. In what may have been a good idea at the time announcing the illegal building in East Jerusalem during the visit of Joe Biden was designed to show the Israeli far right that he was in charge and that they had better do what he says when he says it. Unfortunatly he didn't factor in the response of Barack Hussein Obama and he has ended up squealing like a sucked pig. Calling out AIPAC in Washington and getting Foxman to complain that it is anti semitic to ask Israel to abide by international law. Other than that Netanyahu has had a quite week.

Nice to see racism is alive and well in the US...:-(

How about Shamir / HW Bush, I think J Baker was even around. Shamir did a magnificent job of being un-budgeable. Those were different circumstances. The vibes were not so great.

I've been reading all kinds loony analyses -- on both the right and left. This is the best, clearest, most-level-headed one I've read so far.

Like the majority of black in the US, Obama does not like Jews i.e. Israel. He has to keep up appearance of fairness. He will take the opportunity to bash Israel, when he can look good doing it. It's going to be rough hall, but we are up to the task. We will still have to live here after he is gone. No rush to finish this and no room for mistakes.

obama is the most powerful man alive and along with hilary and joe, add in rahmbo for kicks...bibi is far outclassed even with ADL and AIPAC...obama may not get his peace deal but he will get even...and lets face it bibi has only one quality...making himself dispised...and you know what? you are not going to like it

Obama needed to be taught to respect Jews.

I believe you are making this situation much more complicated than it is. This is just another case of Obama's "gang" thinking they can solve every problem if people will just do as they are told. But, someone has finally said, "No!" and now Obama, Biden, and Clinton are pouting.

This has reference to Anshel Pfeffer's article on the subject.In this sad conflict amongst two of the world's oldest civilisations - Arab and Israeli - itis indeed a matter of concern for the all of mankind that the hardliners on both sides seem to be the only groups that seem to represent "Vox Populi" of both nations.The right for peaceful co - existence ,is almost forgotten. It is my fervent prayer to both peoples, give peace a chance so that the babies in both nations may grow up in the spirit of uninversal brotherhood in amity and prosperity.