How will Netanyahu respond to Obama's ultimatum?

The United States needs to back Israel and not give in to Palistinian demands for a 2 state solution. How would we like it if the British demanded that we split Texas and gave half back to Mexico. Not our country, leave Israel alone and don't impose our will on the people of Israel and let them build settlements and do as they wish. Who are we to say what they need to do or not do.... tired of big brother getting into everything around the world when we have enough worries here in our own country.....

#80. Classic CJK. When faced with a subject you don't want to face, you change the subject. Even if it were true, why does the fact that Iran is the greatest threat man we should not discuss other threats also? #81. If you can posit the inappropriateness of someone else questioning Congress behaving in the best interests of the US, allow me to ask; who are YOU to question the President's behaving in the best interests of the US?

As an American, I urge Netanyahu to tell Obama to take a flying %##$@@! Americans side with Israel. Socialists and Marxists side with Obama.

Every Ally of the US has been treated like shit by obama. Israel should do what it needs to do and build.

as an american i tell Mr. Netanyahu call obamas bluff he does not and has proved doesn't care what the american people think. Mr. Netanyahu you must chose who you will bow to our lying president or the G-D of your fathers.

Q: "How will Netanyahu respond to Obama's ultimatum?" A: Badly.

who are you to say that the american congress does not act in america's interest? what an amazingly arrogant and ignorant comment.

you are absolutely right. however, the major issue is iran and its terror proxies. iran is the greatest threat to regional and world peace.

"He has not even used a sliver of the power of his office yet to even influence anything." The positions of the players and the setting which they are in are taking contour, the perceptions, hopes and fears of leaders involved are moving and shifting, the central issues for future battle are set on sharp, pressure is mounting. If US Congress acts often in wrong ways looking at Israeli instead of American interest first, Obama needs an Augustian trick to send them into the cold safely. What is more anti-American behaviour, unacceptable for American people then swallowing passively face-slapping and throwing of insults of ill-faited ungratefull greedy friends on benevolent gentleman-integrity Predident? Obama may want to wait for slamming homeruns till mainstream America starts looking hungry and beggingly at him for it to happen. Augustus did it with Roman Congress. Couldn't vote against him anymore without looking like traitors. Called him a softie first (sorry). See Ya.

Why should anybody trust their security to another party? Why should Israelis trust their security to someone who'll sell them out for his own interests? Forget about it.

With all respect, if Obama believes that Jersualem is on the table in negotiations, he's in denial, not Netanyahu. It would be as if Obama demanded from Saudi Arabia to allow a christian cathedral in Mecca or Medina. We're not talking about construction on the West Bank. I don't know if the American public will back him on restricting Jewish rights to Jerusalem, not Christians and not Jews.

"Never again will we elect a radical ideologue into our White House." Then what would you call Bush Jr, who was a radical ideologue? I find it humorous you used the armchair crack. I was in the US Navy, and came close to going to Iraq. What have you done? "Mr. Netanyahu needs to do what he thinks is right for his country." Expanding illegal settlements, and further inciting violence via poor actions is not ensuring their security. Neither is biting the hand that has fed Israel for decades. That aid could disappear if Netanyahoo continues to spit in our face. "..who are slowly but surely (and thankfully) losing their confidence in Democrats in general because Dems never have given a Sh&t about them" So Republicans are better? The party that is far more likely to rush into a war, even if it is under false pretenses? They have proven that, by large, they don't give a shit about the Palestinians, or anyone in the Muslim world. Why should they (or anyone) trust Republicans?

I posted in metro.co.uk and could not get answers to questions about what happens to the land of someone who is deported. This would help me in understanding what is going on. Thanks You appear know a lot more about what is going on there then me maybe you can tell me who does get the land and who gets to develop that land and who controls what the land is used for. How is the former land owner paid for the land and it value [is it also a take it or leave it offer]. This is not a dig but a real question on my part. He could not answer the questions.

As usual, Aluf Benn and Haaretz have it precisely backward. Obama assured both Israelis and Americans prior to the election that Iran would not be allowed to obtain the bomb and that "all options were on the table". Obama got Netanyahu to agree "unprecedented" concessions (thank you Hilary) toward the Palestinians for an empty promise that they would return to the negotiating table and the Arabs would begin to normalize relations with Israel. Obama has reneged or failed on all fronts and it is Netanyahu standing his ground that has made this obvious for even Obama's most naive leftist supporters. It is Netanyahu that has called Obama's bluff. Obama has sunk 20% in the polls, faces criticism for his handling of the conflict from his own party, and has absolutely no chance of convincing Israelis on the right or the left to bend to his will. The operative question is not how Netanyahu will respond to Obama's ultimatum but rather, how will Obama respond to a quagmire of his own making?

You go girl!

CL: "Prehaps what we are seeing is the real legacy of 9/11 after ten years of war the ruling and military elite in Washington has realised the amount of blood spilt by America and her allies on behalf of Israeli policies." It is ironic, isn't it? The biggest act of folly by Sharon was to urge Bush to finish the job his daddy started. Sharon was convinced that 200,000+ US troops in the Middle East would act as a force multiplier for Israel, and he was completely and utterly wrong. The USA is starting to tote up the cost of having those troops held hostage to Israeli greed, and it's really opened their eyes. This simply wouldn't have happened if 200,000 GI's hadn't washed up on the M.E. like beached whales. And the most fervent cheerleaders for the Shrub's little (mis)adventure were the zionists and their fellow travellers, and up front and centre Sharon was waving his pom-pom's with the best of them. Karma. It always getcha', don't it?

Ladies and Gentleman, Please use a formula of past history, policies creates trends and gives you future outcomes. I am an American that recently sold everything and moved my family to Israel.I am not a religious fanatic,,just a proud Hebrew. I lived in a Muslim country as my wife. There are moderates and extremists,,,however there is a difference. Remember Nanking during WW2. If there is a war Hamas and Hezbollah will have no quarter.The USA has changed dramatically it used to be 90% patriotic now we are down to about 50%. This is the breakdown of Rome and Greece as a power. This happened in Germany as well in 1933 and the rest is history.We should follow our Jewish Tradition and we are surrounded by the O.I.C.. Be careful what you wish for! Israel is better off without the USA at this point in time. Study History!

Since I am not Tonya and I am not Amanda since I am Karoon trained since age 2 forward for royal duty to Israel and the other Houses I need to deal with and upper level situation. It is not about beauty or who I run with which I have not time for that. Royal marriages are to align houses sometimes with love sometimes without. Not for popularity. It is a dna thing. Second. There are 15 sites frozen from the past. YOu have thousands of homes frozen from the past in good condition still in court. Use those first then or finish building. Jerusalem construction was to be blocked for all not just jews and arabs. The city is overtaxed with sewer lines and the construction not reliable due to resources being used not up to code in some areas everyone wants. The entire city is to be reconstituted like juice I guess in the next ten years. As far as the President of Iran he is changing before our eyes he is needed as the President of Iran but to them he was end times now he new beginning. Karoon

To Uncommon American: Netanyahu chooses survival in a cynical and corrupt political universe. Expansionism, conflict and apartheid exist to varying degrees in all socieities on earth, including the Arab world. Netanyahu and his supporters know that showing too much weakness is pas nicht for Israel's future well being. Why not challenge civilization to its very core when your political survival after 3,300 years is on the line? Israel has the resources and the intelligence to do so.

I guess he's your doubletalking president too., Fortunately most of us put our own country before Isreal. Too bad you apparently don't.

"One Day... "Osama Bin Obama" will understand the Awesome Power of the Lord...." My President Barack Obama already understands the Awesome Power of the Lord..." That's why he intends to do the right thing.

Posted: "Obama was elected to defend America`s interest, not Israel`s." Ari you are absolutly correct and Bibi was elected to defend Israel's interests, not America's. The problem is that both are making the peace process more difficult and almost imposible to achieve. Bibi for his criminal actions and Obama by supporting Bibi's criminal actions.

The truth is Obama is doing exactly what he promised to do. Israel's problem is that it has become smug because previous U.S. Administrations have been quickly brought into line by AIPAC and Israel's zionist leaders. Obama is no Patsy, and my admiration and support for him are growing by the day. About time we had a President with cajones.

Ilene is correct. The U.S. has paid a heavy price for its skewed policies toward Israel. We have lost respect and prestige, and ultimately power. We are still strong but unless we join the rest of the world in condemning Israel we will become progressively weakee. Sixty years ago there was reason to support Israel. We had no idea what it would become over the next 62 years. And when America decides it can no longer cave in to every Israeli demand, other countries which seek America's favor will quickly follow suit. Already Israel is recognized as one of the biggest problems the world faces-- not because Israel itself is powerful but because it has alienated so many of America's allies.

"Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided," - Barack H. Obama (2008) Do you really think that Obama is talking about ethnical cleansing of half of Jerusalem?s population? Then you can?t be a serious analyst of this president. He is speaking of the possibility of Jerusalem being the capital of Jerusalem (no nation has yet recognized it). and he is (surely) thinking that Jerusalem is going to be SHARED, not divided, between the Jewish, Christian and Muslim and non religious people of the city. It is the Jewish people that is obsessed with dividing things with walls and creating ghettos, not the rest. The best plan might be giving the protection by UN, making it easier to organize a civil, civil government.

All Israelis who want peace should support Obama. True, he is pushing us around a bit...and that''s hard to take. But, we deserve it. We have an elected government that does not want peace and that has done everything possible to prevent peace. America has good reason to want a final settlement to the Palestinian problem. And so do we.

Its amazing how really stupid you Lefties are. Idealogs with dreams that never work - get into the real world and wake up that there are some very rotten people out there who are coming for you after they finish with the Israelis..............of course the Israel's might just finish them off first, with or without the "help" of your doubletalking President

What has Bibi given in this peace process: --a ten month freeze --removing some check points. Big Deal? When will Bibi answers the Sec of State letter asking for definitive steps indicating peace--like freeing political prisoners?

One guesses that you must be the only one to "follow" the polls to come up with such drivel. What did you have for breakfast today? You should try something sweeter, next time.

Your analogy to Elie is simplified to the extent that when American Native Indians presented their claims, the federal government would always intervene through federal tribunals.Especially when Indian land claims filed, had authorative proof of agreements were broken by the powers that be in their day with a particular tribe. Decisions by the tribunal took into consideration what the impacts would have territorially, financially, and new land assessments to be brokered. It is unfortunately a rule of law that requires those claimants to show proof to the occupiers. Ever been confronted with a claim on your newly purchased home after being granted title, a distant relative of the previous owner has laid claim to your property as a defective title search snafu? Not fun at all when you trusted all involved towards the purchase.

With all due respects to Auschwitz survivor and Nobel Laureate - he apparently does not even begin to appreciate the incongruity of his argument about the Jews history in Jerusalem - in its American context. If Jerusalem belongs in entirety to the Jews due to their ancient presence there, then the USA belongs to the Red Indians. Would Wiesel himself be willing to give up his own house and return it to a Red Indian? In effect, that is what he is insinuating the Arabs of East Jerusalem do.

. . . as always.

Aluf Benn forgets that Obama is not king of Israel. Israel is a sovereign state.

What complete nonsense... the diatribe Aluf Benn employs here is mind-boggling. There is no ultimatums... this isn't about influencing the US congress. Nor is it about Obama... the overlord or Netanyahu... the sucker. This is not even about Sheikh Jarrah, Elie Wiesel editorial or Ahmadinejad plotting a second holocaust. This is about Israelis and Palestinians having a viable future. About understanding that the status quo is unsustainable. Can we close our eyes and poof... make 4.5 million Palestinians disappear. What will it take for journalists from another generation, like Aluf Benn to see the light.

because the United States is saying specifically that the current status quo that Israel is operating under cannot continue, as it is costing to much in the way of American blood. If that gains traction among the American public then there will not be a single politician in the States who will be able to openly support Israel and it's occupation of Palestine. Israel has arrived at the crossroads after 40 years of occupying someone else's land. It's chief sponsor and enabler of the occupation is signalling that the time is up. The problem not just for Netanyahu but every single Israeli politician is that having unleashed the monster called the settlers, it will be hard if not nigh impossible to put that particular genie back in the bottle. Prehaps what we are seeing is the real legacy of 9/11 after ten years of war the ruling and military elite in Washington has realised the amount of blood spilt by America and her allies on behalf of Israeli policies.

Put not your faith in princes or in presidents! The Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. Christian Americans understand this, and I believe deep down Obama also understands this.

Zechariah 12 2Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. 3And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. One Day... "Osama Bin Obama" will understand the Awesome Power of the Lord....

The most important point is that an American president has seriously cast down the gauntlet to Israels leadership and Israels leadership responded with all the pressure they could muster. This pressure did not have any effect at all. Other presidents have avoided angering Israel for fear that Israel could muster a much larger problem for the American government. That fake bogeyman has now been exorcised. Israel may have the vocal support of the American congress, but little other support in America. Obama has thrown a feint at Israel and received Israels best punch in return. Now Obama is free to plot his real course with no fear of crippling distractions. As for Bibi, he can stay and cooperate or make way for others. It is not important.

What 'Ultimatum'? An ultimatum is a final position. It is the last step before breaking off negotiations or starting a war. Obama has requested a show of good faith before starting negotiations. Netanyahu has no intention of negotiating in good faith.

The forces that threaten Israel and the U.S. are not just Iran, but the Zionist forces insisting that all of the occupied territories belong to Israel. The resulting apartheid state threatens Israel, and any association with such a pariah threatens the U.S.

i voted for prime minister netanyahu in the elections.i do not recall voting for you.why are you trying to govern the independent and sovereign state of israel?

that is the whole truth.we have an ineffective prime minister.bibi go home.

tough talkers are usually all talk.netanyahu does not have the guts to tell obama to mind his own business.netanyahi is a super sucker,aluf benn is right.

both the congressional and the 2012.the nearer we get to the elections the more amenable we would find obama.so play for time. after the 2012 elections should obama be reelected then we would be in deep trouble.

"america would trade concessions in itamar for an attack on natanz?" even the very superficial obama would not put forward that thesis. ignoring the above obama has no intention of attacking iran.period.

....will neither be a big vote winner nor loser next automn. What is important to the American mainstream is first and upmost jobs, then the effects of Obamas health care reform, and to a lesser extent Afghanistan/Iran. Those (and especially the first 2 I mentioned) will be the decisive factors, when it comes to the extent of the Democrats defeat in November. That they will lose some seats, is almost a given, however, how many, is still very much an open question....

Actually AIPAC president Lee Rosenberg supported Obamas campaign in 2008, however, it is very doubtful, whether he would still do so today....

The Jewish vote is still an important part of any national run for office in the United States. Many American Jews, even those of us who are ex-pats are unhappy with both Netanyahu and Obama. Do not be surprised by Congressional election shocks in November in the USA. At the same time many Israelis are tiring of a government whose interest seems to be settlers only rather than the welfare of the State of Israel as a whole. Obama and Netanyahu both are bad for the Jewish people!

Israel's allied friends in the world are not American Jews of which 77% support Obama. "Friends" are the Obama-haters in the USA and above all the fundamentalist evangelicals who are stuck between their religious fanatism and conservatice-medeval (often racist) mentality. Israel, maneuvering itself towards a complete political global isolation and insulation, will not find its friends among progressive countries with liberal constitutions as long as it occupies Palestinian territories and permanently ignores Human Rights and International Law. As long as Netanyahu and his supporters don't conceive this, israel's position is declining.

i follow the polls every day. the democrats will lose many seats come november. members of congress are waking up to the reality that they have tied their destiny to someone who was unvetted and who cannot be trusted. congress will start reasserting itself. once the new congress is seated, obama's powers will be reduced. nor should you underestimate the significance of the secret gates memo. it is unprecedented that a defence minister should be so critical of the government he is part of. one gets the impression that the army is not happy. obama is quite dictatorial in his approach but such approach will ultimately fail in a democracy. so this is not just about israel, or even substantially about israel. this is much more about the place of america in the world and whether it remains a superpower. obama has thus far grossly mishandled foreign policy. iran, syria, north korea, and others, are all spitting in his face. he will get very little from china and russia.

Obama was elected to defend America's interest, not Israel's.

Someone needs to teach Netanyahu a lesson on the principle of reality. The USA is a superpower facing many issues, while Israel is a tiny country which only represents one of the numerous allies of the USA. The Americans are obsessed with not being entangled in Middle-Eastern War. The way Bibi acts, they will more and more consider Israel as a liability and a trouble-maker rather than an ally. Endangering the relation with the USA is insane. All Americans, including American Jews, will always choose Obama over Bibi and his far right winger and settler friends.

"No Israeli government would risk rockets on Tel Aviv, a civil war with the settlers and a political rupture in the Israel Defense Forces just to satisfy Obama." Israeli's reality is different from what you see from your comfy armchair. Mr. Netanyahu needs to do what he thinks is right for his country. America will respond in 2012, sad to say, we'll probably be absent until then, but this does not reflect the attitude of true Americans who have been and remain Israel's greatest friend. Its just that America is being taught a very painful lesson right now and we deserve every lick of what we're getting. Never again will we elect a radical ideologue into our White House. Please also note the changing attitudes of otherwise liberal American Jews - who are slowly but surely (and thankfully) losing their confidence in Democrats in general because Dems never have given a Sh&t about them, paying lip service to them only for their votes. Hang in there and never never give up.

1.Peace, Unity and Harmony is possible with Zionism with the correct leader. 2.The correct Zionist leader should possess the fundamental traits as follows: a.by birth, by gene or DNA, must be faithful to the Holy Book, i.e., not just a turncoat for the sake of power or convenience. b.Must be a son of the Daughter of Zion. c.Must be an ardent seeker and finder of the lost Ark of the Covenant d.must be an architect and engineer himself capable of designing and building a temple acceptable by everyone without exception and without objection. e.The temple when erected should persuade the One True God to come down from heaven and for the devil to go to hell. 3.For sure everyone will agree that current leaders are nowhere near the above-mentioned parameters. 4.Such parameters can only be found in a small but well-trained shepherd boy with the Moshiachs Meal of Five Loaves and Two Fish. 5.It is to the advantage of the multitude that Kthe Knesset seek this boy.

Hispanics and Independents are much more impor- tant today to the Democratic party, than people like Lauder, Rosenberg, Foxman or Krauthammer, who would never have voted for Obama in the first place. It's good enough for U.S. Democrats if a big chunk of liberal Jews (I would call them the "Tom Friedman/J-Street/Hollywood Jews") will remain loyal to the party, and there is absolutely no reason to doubt that. So the Obama administration can simply ignore the views of the Neoconservatives, AIPAC, ADL, WJC + Co., since they will never ever get their love and support anyway....

Are Three Ongoing Foreign Wars Too Many For America to Be Fully Engaged In? What about FOUR? Afghanistan,Iraq,Korea,Iran The darkening situation in South Korea is increasingly making it very possible a large armed conflict across Korea is likely in the near future. North Korea's newspapers are now openly bragging about how 13 of its commando's sunk a South Korea warship using one of its stealth submarines. South Korean's that have looked at the salvaged warship in which 32 South Korean sailors died under a mysterious explosion, have definitely found evidence a external explosion occurred which sank the warship. Iran is undoubtedly watching the severe ramping up of tensions in Korea ever since a South Korea warship fired several salvo's at a North Korean warship killing several North Korean sailors in the same disputed waterway boundary. The North Korean newspaper states the North Korean leader visited the surviving sailors on that damaged warship and gave the green light.

Contrary to what you say, Obama can be trusted. What he can be trusted to do is to act in a way best suited to advance our interests. If Israel gets in the way, tough cookies.

This is a brilliant analysis of strategy. However, it is premised on a factor which, though very true, is left unsaid by Mr Benn (and perhaps not by accident): that the Israeli government's options and moves are based on its refusal to negotiate with the Palestinians. If the Israeli government wanted to negotiate, no problem would exist with Obama. (And negotiations, needless to say, include J'salem and cannot be, as Bibi spins it, without preconditions)

" like Bush was. He will not be drawn into a conflict with Iran for the sake of Israel. If Bibi and his ministers could devote a fraction of their effort to make peace with the Palestinians rather than trying to confront Obama, the world would be a better place" Amen!

"Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided," - Barack H. Obama (2008)

If Benn (or anybody else) thinks Obama is hostile, they have no clue what hostile is. Obama is not Nixon or Bush I or Eisenhower. He is slightly less naive that Bush II and apparently determined not to be walked on like Sharon and Olmert did to Bush II. Even Bush I and Nixon and Eisenhower were friendly. Hostile is Nasser and Assad the Elder, and Saddam Hussein. Obama is a pussycat. But it is time to stop stepping on him. I'd bet even Obama has limits beyond which he will not be pushed before pushing back. He has not even used a sliver of the power of his office yet to even influence anything. Netanyahu may think he has made concessions to a US point of view. He hasn't made a single concession yet. He hasn't even begun to concede. Obama may not be typical of prior US Presidents. His background is different. Get used to it. There is no ultimatum, YET! Keep that in mind.

learn mthe language better before making such profound statements!! i an sure i nor anyone else has a clue about what you are talking....do you?

Obama has created a perfect storm of losses for America's world status. He loses credibility by attacking his country's closest ally over construction permits, which makes the U.S. look pathetic. He loses more credibility by giving lip service against Iran, talk that the world can see is empty. If Obama thinks that kicking an ally and using extortion is making him appear strong, he's hallucinating. His govt. looks bad no matter what Israel does. Lose-lose for America.

If Netanhyahou believes he is able to go on playing against the President of the USA with lobbies, letters and ads for his foreign country not to abide by international law he has not understood the major change in american political forces and in world powers. Hundreds mentions in the scrpture do not make rights or Manhattan is to be given back to the Indian tribe to which it belongs.

s . The change people are getting is not the change they expected and everyone is becoming disappointed. His presidency is in retreat and he will be gone in 2 1/2 years ! Israel, on the other hand, will still be here and will be strong. Obama can try his Chicago political hoodlum tactics on Israel but it will only backfire. The issue of Jerusalem will crush him and his presidency if nothing else does.

We have come to the point when American interest is wastly different from ours. Obama considers good realtions with Iran (and Islam in general) more important tham Israel (which is reasonable). We could and should expect it. The only way for Israel to survive is to become too bitter to be swallowed. By ALL means, even by restricting some democratic values. Otherwise Obama together with Iran and other muslems will implement a "final" solution for conflict.

"Israel will get out of the territories and learn to live with a nuclear Iran. The US will guarantee Israel`s security but not its expansion beyond the green line." Obama wants Israel to have nuch more than that, because he wants Netanyahu and Abbas to enter into negotiations where Abbas can be leant on to CONCEDE to Netanyahu the very things that Israel are not ENTITLED to claim for themselves. But Israel's hubris and greed is ensuring that this will not happen i.e. it is pursuing a policy that makes a NEGOTIATED settlement of this dispute more and more unlikely. And once that becomes irrefutable then the USA has no choice but to IMPOSE a solution, and such a solution will have to follow int'l law i.e. Israel will end up with nothing from its 42 year occupation, because everything it has seized so far has been obtained illegally. It'll be "back behind the Green Line for you guys". No "ifs", no "buts", no "exceptions".

if israel can diminish u.s. world power, then u.s. world power has become rather puny. it is rather sad that it took obama just over a year to accomplish that which the ussr could not accomplish in seventy years.

Want to impose the State in the hands of these associations again? Want to have Fatahstan AND Hamastan (with Hezbollahstan coming), instead of developing the economy of these victims of dictatorships such as Assad's? You think terrorists should be paised and so the death of Israel? Good for you, but the realist world continues without you.

You are living in a dream world if you think that he can. For once you need to really THINK about this from Obama's point of view. He wants this Israel/Palestine conflict finished, and so he wants the two sides to sit in a tent until they agree on a deal. It is pointless for him to get them into that tent **if** Israel reserves the right for Yishai to waddle in and drop a big, smelly turd on the carpet. And - make no mistake - that is what will happen if Israel insists on the "right" to continue construction in East Jerusalem WHILE the talks are happening. Yishai's Big Ol' Dump on Joe Biden's head has taught Obama that he can not trust the Israeli's to act with restraint or commonsense i.e. ISRAEL's OWN ACTIONS have shown Obaman that this govt will abuse that privilege. He must take that "right" away from Israel, and he has to do that no matter who pleads with him to lay off Poor Little Bibi.

the despotic nature of obama is at the heart of his approach to governing. he lacks precisely the "statecraft" which consists of give and take. he lacks the skills of a diplomat who understands that bullying and isolating a foreign leader whose country is a close ally is a very bad judgment call. obama had trapped himself into an irreconcilable position the day he decided that he would be an active supporter of the palestinians rather than a statesman.

Netanyahu has no choice but to give in to Obama's demands if he wants any US help with Iran. I saw this coming back in 90 during the gulf war. Israel would sooner or later find itself painted into a corner. All I can say is its about time.

Netanyahu and his right wing coalition are not interested in the US agenda - they are only interested in the continuation of the occupation and building settlements in occupied territory, regardless of whether it's in the Golan, West Bank or East Jerusalem. It's the Americans who have to make the choice - continue to use their veto to support the Israeli position, or take the moral high ground.

The US will no longer let Israel diminish our power in the world. Netanyahu's tacky PR campaigns are for naught. Israel will get out of the territories and learn to live with a nuclear Iran. The US will guarantee Israel's security but not its expansion beyond the green line. Deal with it.

Mr.Benn seems to misunderstand both the US and our president. - The administration is carrying out a delicately balanced hot and cold war throughout the middle east - The entire US military -- yes, every Regular Army division plus the Marines -- are tied down to the endless Bush-administration adventure in Iraq ("the democratic tsunami") plus Afghanistan. - President Obama wants stable, cicilizing, and forward-moving societies in Pakistan, Iran, Syria, Jordan, the Gulf principalities, etc - President Obama contends with Chinese activity (sell more whatevers to anyone), but needs Chinese support - Within that bubbling mess, and given that the American people have never agreed that Israel should annex the West Bank and beyond, why would PM Netanyahu think his coalition can take more land, take more of Jerusalem, and call on Americans to pressure the Administration when it disagrees publicly? - President Obama has been clear and consistent. Netanyahu blind and deaf.

it's fair to imply that PM Netanyahu's insistence to counter the pragmatic proposals of the U.S. administration, also counters the two thirds of Israeli public who've been polled agreeing with the U.S. policy towards Israel. Being critical of President Obama is needless because the Israeli public has spoken much before him. There's nothing new here that we didn't know about the intelligent understanding of the majority of Israelis and that is that the Occupation cannot continue any longer if Israel wants to maintain its unique distinction as a Jewish democratic state. His coalition does not comprehend this reality. Who's going to pay the price for this mistake once again - the younger generations.

Will take time for USA to appreciate that Israel isn?t Republic Banana. Israel is not a health care program for America, were you declaring were Israel should be at any point neither a country to play with as they wish. America will not pay with Israeli currencies to please the Muslems/Aarabs, it should be made clear to the Americans if it not made yet. In addition, it should be made clear to the American media that Israel has very strong connections and friendship to the US probably more then any other country, Jews and friend of Israel in the USA should tell President Obama; we wish you the best but do not use Israel as a toy in your plan. Lastly as a person that voted for Obama because of Health care, I will not vote for him again or support him.

No Israeli government would risk rockets on Tel Aviv, a civil war with the settlers and a political rupture in the Israel Defense Forces just to satisfy Obama. So no peace?

Not a pushover either.

I am a bit surprised and disappointed in Obama's insisence regarding Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the spiritual center of the Jewish people. Does he really expect us to put it on the table? The territories, I personally could care less, but the western wall, I've slept there back in the early 70s when you could get away with things like that. I think we all have a special relationship with Jerusalem.

Bibi was not a sucker for making gestures to US for Obama. His acts show him as trying to be helpful and agreeable to Obama demands. But, a point comes when a nation says 'no' to another for its national security. Obama is the unreasonable one. A few homes in Jerusalem measured against Iran nuclear threats and talk of destroying Israel are not equivalent. Iran continues as Obama diddles incompetently and looks the fool; and PA absents itself from 'peace process'.

Obama will turn his back on Israel the first chance he gets: better to fight this anti-Israeli zealot than give in to him for a promise.

like Bush was. He will not be drawn into a conflict with Iran for the sake of Israel. If Bibi and his ministers could devote a fraction of their effort to make peace with the Palestinians rather than trying to confront Obama, the world would be a better place

Obama wants to start evacuating US troops from Iraq - and it can't be done without concessions from Israel. In a month or two, Kadima would have replaced Lieberman & Shas. Israel is crazy, but not suicidal.

Sometimes the attitude of Israelis amazes me. israel acts like it's an independent country all the while taking billions of dollars of aid from the US not to mention political support keeping Israel's enemies at bay and it's worldwide detractors as well. Israel couldn't exist one second without the support of the US. But instead of saying thank you and keeping it's nose out of US politics, Israeli politicians try to put the screws on. Maybe some neo-con Likud lovers think that this is a good idea and sure the Palin and tea party crowd love it too. But the vast majority of Americans find this disgusting. And the fact that so many Congress people signed on to this also doesn't work in Israel's favor. Congress is the most despised political institution in the US today and toadying to the "Zionist" lobby just plays right into the hands of the real anti-Semites who believe the Jews=Wall Street (which is even lower down the totem pole than Congress)

Like Bibi's govt, its American neo-Con apologists are neither Obama's friends nor his allies. It's high time treacherous creeps like Bill Kristol and Jackson Diehl put America first and stopped supporting Israeli apartheid.

Netanyahoo has already given his answer. He chooses conflict, expansionism, and eventual apartheid over peace.