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The Spectacle Blog
I agree with Ross Kaminsky’s comment that the the Sarkozy/Obama tête-à-tête doesn’t constitute news — unless we’re willing to consider its context. Aaron Goldstein made mention of the event, but neglected to mention a crucial element of the story. Now I find myself in the uncomfortable position of defending the president, but c’est la vie as Mr. Sarkozy might say…
The Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz has reported that Mr. Obama was taking Mr. Sarkozy “to task for backing a Palestinian request for membership of the UN cultural heritage agency UNESCO.” As we all know, that bid that was approved despite American opposition. The BBC confirms the browbeating.
However, the remarks do indicate a breakdown of trust with the Israeli leader which could have wider implications for the Middle East peace process. Let us not forget that concerns about Bibi’s integrity are widely echoed in Israel. The Kadima party’s recent campaign slogan literally read “Bibi — I Don’t Believe Him.” Labor MK Daniel Ben-Simon expressed concerns to the Jerusalem Post regarding Netanyahu’s silver tongue, in response to the recent microphone snafu. One need look no further than Bibi’s recent insistence on Meet the Press that Obama was just as much a friend of Israel as George W. Bush, to question the veracity of his statements. Kidding, of course…
Something to consider before we fall all over ourselves to defend the Israeli president’s honor at the expense of the administration’s continued support for him. We’re critically involved in this peace process, and we need to be able to depend on reliable partners. We can all agree that Abbas isn’t trustworthy. Maybe it’s time to consider whether Netanyahu isn’t, himself. I say this because Israel is America’s crucial ally, and will not benefit from our false friendship that reflexively echoes the “status quo” lobby.
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More Blog Posts by Reid Smith
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/11/08/thoughts-on-bibi-gate
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Merlin| 11.8.11 @ 2:53PM
Can you say "peace process" with a straight face? Do you Think Israel would attack the Palestinians without provocation?
Peace requires two, war requires one.
Jack in Wi| 11.8.11 @ 3:05PM
Israel attacks anyone it feels like. Remember the USS Liberty. The rogue regime in Israel must be brought to heel before it starts WW3 and ends the world as we know it. Peace is the only answer and it can only happen when there is justice for the Palistinians. Shalom.
Jack in Wi| 11.8.11 @ 3:01PM
Netanyahu is a lunatic who isn't trusted by sane Israeli's. Meir Dagan the former head of the Mossad has called and Israeli attack on Iran an insane idea which would have negative consequences for the neighborhood. Yuval Diskin former head of the Shin Bet has said similar things. Ephriam Halevey another former Mossad head has called it a terrible idea as well. There are many others in the Israeli military and security services who don't want to attack Iran. Of course Israel is being overwhelmed by massive demonstrations from people who are sick of all the money wasted on the settlements in the territories and the military. Are the old lunatics Netanyahu, Barak, Liebermann and Peres just playing war, to distract their political opponents. I sure hope so.
Mike| 11.8.11 @ 4:08PM
Good points Jack in Wi.
I find Americans who rush to embrace Netanyahu ahead of their own president to be unpatriotic, disloyal and disgusting.
Dan| 11.8.11 @ 4:19PM
Yea, but what happens when that American President himself happens to be "unpatriotic, disloyal and disgusting?"
When the general rule breaks down, --------- what then?
Mike| 11.8.11 @ 10:11PM
But the American president is not, except in the retid minds of some on the right .
Dan| 11.8.11 @ 4:18PM
What are the "lies" that Netanyahu has supposedly uttered?
What are they about?
What subject or subjects do they concern?
Occam's Tool| 11.8.11 @ 4:41PM
I'm sorry, but it is Israel's policy NOT to publicly intervene in the American political system. Therefore, OF COURSE Bibi's not going to attack Barack publicly.
Give me a break, Reid. That's a completely unfair attack, worthy of Jack in Wi.
Clint| 11.8.11 @ 6:14PM
Screwball Israel Firster Maniac Tool Job Is In The Building.
Dr.Ron Paul's Foreign Policy Advisor Michael Scheuer,Former CIA Chief of The bin Laden Unit,
On Iran, The President should,
4.) Speak to the American people and tell them to expect to be brutally propagandized by U.S. citizen Israel-Firsters through AIPAC, their ubiquitous media shills, and the men and women they own in the U.S. Congress and federal bureaucracy. Urge Americans to ignore this effort by U.S. Israel-Firsters to get them to send their soldier-children to fight in a religious war in which the U.S. has no genuine national interest at stake, and in which U.S. participation would further bankrupt the country, require the reintroduction of conscription, and put America at war with all of the Muslim world -- Shia and Sunni -- for the foreseeable future."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.
Mike| 11.8.11 @ 10:13PM
You can't be serious.
Occam's Tool| 11.8.11 @ 10:24PM
Actually, in this case, I am. Israel's job is to get along with Dems and Republicans in the White House. A Dem recognized Israel in 1948, a Republican helped save it in 1973. There is NO percentage in Bibi slamming Obama directly. None.
AIPAC, by the way, is an American organization.
Occam's Tool| 11.8.11 @ 4:42PM
Surprise, surprise: Kadima and Labour parties are attacking Likud's PM's veracity.
Reid, you are a bit of a fool, sir.
Occam's Tool| 11.8.11 @ 10:26PM
Incidentally, the UN report has now noted that Iran is working on nukes. Directly.
William R| 11.8.11 @ 4:55PM
To hell with Bibi. White both the Twin Towers were burning before they collapsed Bibi was asked about the attack and the first words out of his mouth were, "this is very good for Israel"
Occam's Tool| 11.8.11 @ 10:24PM
Bullshit, Bill.
Trinacria| 11.8.11 @ 6:12PM
"One need look no further than Bibi's recent insistence on Meet the Press that Obama was just as much a friend of Israel as George W. Bush, to question the veracity of his statements."
This is your proof that the man is a liar? What statesman wouldn't in the course of an interview on a television network in the country that happens to be his strongest ally exercise prudential judgment and answer the question with diplomacy and tact? To use his affirmation of friendship between allies as evidence that the man is a liar rather discredits your argument.
I have an open mind on this one and I'm willing to consider the evidence, but if this is the best you can do...
MikeN| 11.8.11 @ 8:20PM
Netanyahu offered the Golan Heights to Syria, prompting a third party run against him in his first reelection race.
Occam's Tool| 11.8.11 @ 10:27PM
Mr. Smith believes that iot would be best if the current state of Israel was destroyed, to be replaced by a "secular Jewish-Palestinian" state. He also defends sharia. His credibility is right up there with Clint and Jack.
Leah| 11.9.11 @ 9:19AM
"Abbas isn't TRUSTWORTHY"??? That's your comment regarding the mastermind of the munich massacre? You're equating this terrorist with Bibi Netanyahu (routinely maligned by the left, as all good men are)? I've sniffed your anti-Jewish feelings before but these comments leave no doubt. I've donated and subscribed to Amspec before but will not again as long as they print your disguised and malicious tripe. It is disappointing to find you on their otherwise first-rate roster.
Leah| 11.9.11 @ 10:16AM
Forgot to ask:
1) When did you last defend the president, if ever, as you admit it makes you “uncomfortable”? But you’re willing to do so in this case, even though it has been well-established that he is a pathological liar.
2) On the other hand, you accuse Bibi of lying on “Meet the P” when in fact he was acting as a diplomat must in public, courteously. What other incidences did you bring forth besides smears in the leftist press? Nothing.