An American week

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's most abject failure since returning to the premiership has been his shaky relationship with the American administration, headed by President Barack Obama. Netanyahu and his advisers know full well the extent to which Israel needs close ties with the United States - which provides Israel with a diplomatic umbrella - from both an economic and strategic standpoint. Yet, instead of working toward reaching an understanding with Obama, Netanyahu is behaving like someone itching for an unnecessary confrontation with America.

Netanyahu believes Obama sought to cool ties with Israel in order to improve the United States' image in the Arab world, an image harmed during the George W. Bush presidency. Yet even if this assessment is correct, Netanyahu acted against Israel's interest by harshly criticising and insulting the president's Jewish advisers and by needlessly provoking Obama over the issue of construction in East Jerusalem. Obama, too, has made mistakes, like ignoring Israeli public opinion. But the balance of power is unequal. Israel needs America more than America needs Israel, so Netanyahu must repair this relationship.

Three senior Obama administration officials will visit Israel this week. Special envoy George Mitchell will continue his efforts to renew the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, and between Israel and Syria. He will also try to reach an understanding with the prime minister on freezing settlement construction. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will discuss a litany of strategic issues, and National Security Advisor Jim Jones will focus on the Iranian threat in a joint forum with his Israeli counterpart, Uzi Arad.

The visits provide a good opportunity for a turning point in relations between Israel and the Obama administration. Netanyahu must evacuate the outposts and agree to a settlement freeze in order to give a deal based on "two states for two peoples" - a principle in fact supported by the prime minister - a chance. The understanding taking shape between Israel and the United States over Iran - an understanding manifest in the softened rhetoric employed by the prime minister - ought to be strengthened and codified. Yet, more than anything else, Netanyahu needs to welcome his guests as allies rather than representatives of a hostile administration angling to harm and humiliate Israel. A change in his approach, as well as avoiding additional provocations and crises, will be the first critical steps in building a new relationship with the United States.