And they yack about Israel trying to influence foreign policy? What the heck is this?

It is time for Israel look for new partners, new friends. America has been a burden for us. We don't need American support, American money or solidarity. Just get away from Israel and leave us look for new partnerships elsewhere, in China, Russia, Norway, Ireland, countries that have already proven to be trustful and responsible to the State of Israel.

Keren suggests that Israel abandons the partnership with the US and look for new friends. As examples, she suggest Norway, Ireland, China and Russia. If I can remind Keren, Norway and Ireland combined have a population smaller than Michigan, and virtually no armies. China and Russia have both recognized the Palestinian state and consistently voted in favor of both Hamas and Assad in the UN. The US is and remains Israel's best friend. However, it is important to keep in mind that one can be a friend of Israel without being a friend of Bibi and Likud.

Anyway, there is no permanent friendship among countries. Thus, every nations have their own interests. Partners one day doesn't mean partners forever.

Obama has absolutely no intention of striking Iran ever! The appointment of Hagel is proof.

We Israelis are tired on depending on America. We have gained nothing so far from the association with the Americans. Their influence in our issues has been too far. To nominate this anti-israel personage has been the last drop. I think there is an inversion of priorities, here, it is not us that need them, but THEY, need us as an island of instability in the region. The Americans should pray everyday for us to be on their side and not the contrary. Russia, China, South Africa shall concentrate the bulk of our diplomacy until the Americans remove this new Defence Minister from his portfolio.

Even small and powerless nations such as Norway and Ireland have long turned their backs on us, take a look at the last several UN votes. China and Russia have consistently voted against Israel for decades, it would be insane for them to turn away from their commerce partners in the arab world who provide them with resources, in favor of a small crazy state like ours. Canada ?.. powerless and will do whatever U.S does. If you are so eager to shake off this "burden" called America which is the reason we even exist, I suggest North Korea as a new friend, they have the same profile as ours, a small agressive nuclear nation that is eager to pick fights with anybody. Soon they wil be the only option left anyway.

with hagel at the defense and kelly at the state dpt .it is time to open our eyes for 2013 ,critical year for israel.we needed a strong leader with experience.bibi is the answer.only one today.if livny,god forbid become prime minister,israel needed to order a lot of suitcases.no futur with livni .hope lapid wont fall on her trap

with Jewish support and brains. As for the new friendship with Iranians we wish the American People best of luck! PS. anyone wants to enter partnership for making burkas fro the US-market?

ILLEGAL regime, who MURDERED their own citizens, Raped, tortured, locked up and Beaten! This Ruthless group of Terrorists think that they will be able to RUN THEIR GUNS AND ROCKETS, MISSILES UNCHECKED, like in syria, iraq? Not A Chance haji's!

Pro-Muslim Brotherhood, pro-Iran, pro-Jihadists, and shrink Israel so they will be dependent on US good-will (which is dwindling, like the rest of the degenerate world. The question is how many American will be fooled? Not an easy answer when they have elected someone who is clearly destroying the country.

It was USA that helped Israel get its skin out of Yom Kippour war. Yes, we won it, but we were depleated. If it were not substantial aid - in weapons etc. - from USA, next wave would sink Israel. Sorry you are too young to know some things.

I am sorry, John, but the Americans didn't do more than their duty. We have been carrying on the US as a burden for a long time. Enough is enough. If they want to continue to have a safe haven in the Middle East, and a true partner in a turmoiled region, they' d better take the right move and consult Israel before nominating crap personages as this new Secretary, a flagrant anti-semite. Zeu. Time to leave the US on their own.

What has America ever done for us? I'm tired of Israel supporting the US by giving it weapon technology and helping it make friends in the Mid East. Israelis need to start looking after ourselves and stop worrying about Obama (who seems to be against the idea of us one day forcibly removing Palestinians from Judea. The nerve of him!) We should look for better allies, allies that share our values and beliefs. For example, Serbia would be an excellent ally as they tried to do what needed to be done to remove "unwelcome" people from their land. It's too bad South Africa has new rulers as the values of South Africa in the 1980s were very similiar to ours. I also think Russia would be a good ally as their actions in Chechyna showed they had spine.

Hagel and Brennan will claim it's a great victory for Obama. The US has, as of today, evacuated the entire Mideast and left it to Russia and Iran. With Hagel in place Obama will bolt from Afghanistan even sooner than 2014, much sooner and Afghanistan reverts to the Taliban's and Pakistan's playground. With no sane grown ups anymore a Pakistani or Iranian nuke will be used somewhere. These are people who don't make idle threats and view chest thumping as a divine duty.

Don't be stupid. America is not Obama. The majority of American people as a whole support Israel. This last election and the one before was nothing but a fraud by an imposter posing as an American. If Israel attacks Irans nuclear complexes the country will side behind Israel against Obama if he hesitates to support Israel.

once things get "bad" for Israelis there will be 2 people to blame and that is Obama and Hagel

With all due respect, "k", this is deluded. It is not a crime for an American president not to think about what's best for Israel. Would you also want to charge Obama for a crime is things go badly for Nepal. Obama is president of the US, his job is to look after the US. While I certainly hope he will keep Israel's good in mind, he has no more reason to think about the good of Israel than Bibi has to think about the good of Botswana.

Former President George Bush. Whom I voted for twice. And whose decisions were far from brilliant. Mr. Hagel is an anti semite just like President Obama

Seriously! When is he going to start?...Looking out for what’s best for America, that is?? The guy is trying his best to destroy our country. He’s a total fraud.

story!! Hagel is pro racist arab muslim and anti-Israel. His stupid comments show who he is and what obamas plans are. Hopefully this incompetent president can be impeached and removed from office before he destroy our country.

I somehow think the USA will be OK and in all probability without your great advice. Dont forget its still the greatest country in the world, and Israel along with many other countries could not really manage without her. Your mickey mouse comments about declaring independence from the USA never cease to amaze me.

of the loonie leage here here but apparently Karen is providing serious competition. Where are you Sara, you need to top this one.

AMERICA IS CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICALLY,SO FRIENDSHIP CAN WEAKEN ALSOMTHIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE TO KEEP IN MIND

and think about how much Ireland and Norway loves Israel, LOL.