Obama is the least popular American president in recent memory. The percentage of Israelis who consider him friendly to Israel has never been high, but it has dropped at various times into the single digits. Considering that the Israeli left polled 16% of the vote in the last elections, and the centrist Kadima party another 22% - higher, in fact, than Netanyahu’s Likud - Obama’s dismal numbers cannot be put down to simple partisanship. Israelis across the political spectrum are clearly convinced that Obama is indifferent and/or hostile to Israeli interests, sensibilities, and concerns. More at : http://xrl.us/bfq9gu

This attitude of trying to make the Arabs happy is going to be the single cause of the destruction of Israel. There is no such thing as a "moderate" Arab country on the subject of Israel. They all want us destroyed. Clinton was out of line. The Arab nations are out of line and the "palestinian people" have not earned a place to speak on this issue. Why exactly does Israel need permission from the world to continue building on its own land? If I buy property and wish to build on it do I need to ask permission from every person who may or may not have sat a tent down on that same land in the last 1000 years? We stopped building. We gave them land. They got closer, built nothing of their own and spent all of their time and energy throwing weapons at us. There is no peace process because the Arab world has no interest in peace with Israel. They said it themselves, negotiations are to end the occupation...how exactly are we to build a two state solution with equality on both sides when we give everything to them and they refuse to acknowlege our right to exist?

Where has the author of this opinion been the last year ? Has he not noticed that the Palestinian side refuses to negociate ?

The Geneva Initiative was the sort of renegade foreign policy deemed illegal in the US under the Logan Act. The Initiative has virtually no support outside the Meretz bubble and a few people around Sari Nusseibeh - so it's got little support on either the Israeli or Palestinian sides. But since they've failed to win popular support for their inititive, they require a "Director of Foreign Relations" to obtain funding and foreign support for their work.

Obama is very frank with you ,he is giving you an advise to take the 2002 beirut summit 1967 line and run with it ..best deal for you . who cares about your polls my friend ,he is the most popular US president in the last 100 years .and if he passes the health care bill next month ,and he will ...they should cancel the elections in 2012 ,really . so get out of your hole and think global ..cousin .

Once again Matty is talking a load of crock. The Pallis can declare full statehood but realize this Matty, they cannot live without the help of Israel.There is no work for them in Gaza, so you see clever Matty, they come to Israel for work, yes every single morning they enter Israel & every single late afternoon they exist Israel.They need us more than we need them.You in Fairport can move on without Israel,but the Pallies cannot.Thats a fact.

You are 100% correct. Thankyou for a perfectly written post.

Who is funding Geneva initiative ?

there is 1.5 billion muslims would like to visit alaksa Masjid ,i don't think they have enough hotels in east Jerusalem . make peace and will stay at yours as well . Palestinians are very rich but you are stealing (temporarly ) all their properties ..including their culture since you have none. what your Rabbi said yesterday to kill all non jews ..is a sound proof to the low level . the question here is : how low you can go ..

Birdi you seem to think that Palestinians are nothing more than a cheap form of slave labor for Israel. This mentality is what lead to Jews being used as cheap form of slave labor by Germany. Actually I think they would live much better and longer if Israel didn't keep killing them. You are perfectly right Birdi, to remedy this situation can I suggest that Israel stops bombing the civilian infrastructure of Gaza. 90% of factories in Gaza are destroyed or closed because of Israel's blockade and bombings. You see Birdi it is hard to get a good job in Gaza when Israel has turned it into the largest open air prison in the world. No they don't Birdi. The populace of Gaza are not allowed in Israel except rarely for medical reasons etc. "The main passenger crossing point into Israel, Erez in the north, has been closed to Palestinians for long periods, preventing labourers from working in Israel, though internationals and emergency medical cases are allowed to cross." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5122404.stm Similar sentiments were expressed by the slave owners in America.

This idiotic article is typical of the dumb, delusional left which still loves Obama (like about 4% of Israelis) and still believes Israeli concessions are good. First of all Obama's attitude towards Israel is not a "refreshing change". He is the most hostile U.S. president Israel has ever faced. Secondly, Israeli concessions have never, and will never produce anything but disaster. That is why the Israel concession loving political parties are being voted out of existence. It's hard to find a word of truth in this article.

Exactly what relevance does civilian popularity polls have to do with the existential question of the nation? You are saying that Bibi should take advantage of his popularity to make himself more popular by making concessions to those that rather see Israel disappear? I will tell you what opportunity Benjamin Netanyahu has right now, for a short time. 1) Attack Iran before they launch nukes toward Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Then the US *MUST* protect the gulf of Aqaba, clear mines, and secure shipping lanes, as well as enforce non-engagement of Arab nations. They *must* do that no matter what it wants to do. So, for the moment, Netanyahu has the opportunity to force Obama to support Israel militarily.