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Photo: Reuters
Netanyahu at the White House. Falling in love again
Photo: Reuters
Shimon Shiffer

Netanyahu and Obama: Not all is forgotten

Analysis: Monday's White House meeting marks the beginning of the Israeli prime minister's probation period. The Americans will now follow him closely to ensure that he does not violate any of his renewed declarations-promises.

There was something moving, embarrassing if you like, in the sweeping words of praise that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showered US President Barack Obama with at the start of their White House meeting Monday.

 

 

It was embarrassing in light of the reality was have been exposed to in the past few years, in which Netanyahu chose to clash with Obama instead of trying to find ways for proper cooperation with the leader of the world power which Israel depends on for its existence.

 

During these years, Netanyahu's close associates released personal slurs and accusations about Obama's weakness and naïve outlook in terms of dealing with crises in the world. And now, as Netanyahu testified, the meeting between them on Monday was "one of the best I've had with the president."

 

To reinforce his comment, he turned to Israel's Ambassador in Washington Ron Dermer, who was ironically a full partner in encouraging Netanyahu to "give it" to Obama and to prefer the Republican side at the US Congress, and asked him: "Right, Ron? What do you say?" The embarrassed ambassador confirmed his boss' comment.

 

Seven years of conflict cannot be erased by reciting the texts dictated to Netanyahu by the American president's advisors (Photo: EPA)
Seven years of conflict cannot be erased by reciting the texts dictated to Netanyahu by the American president's advisors (Photo: EPA)

 

Nonetheless, the meeting can't be summarized by concluding that the two have turned over a new leaf. Not everything is forgotten. Seven years of conflict cannot be erased by reciting the texts dictated to Netanyahu by the American president's advisors. They won't forget who they're dealing with in the year Obama has left in the White House, and mainly who tried to blatantly turn the Congress against the administration.

 

Netanyahu's promise that he remains committed to the vision of two states for two people, with a demilitarized Palestinian state which will recognize the Jewish state, marks the beginning of the probation period of the prime minister, who hoped to leave the White House with a memo of understandings for strategic cooperation and a promise for nearly $5 billion in security aid.

 

The key words from the briefings of the president's advisors, who announced the establishment of work teams to discuss the memo and special security aid in the coming year, are based on the assumption that Netanyahu will act differently from now on. The US will follow him closely and with skepticism in order to ensure that he does not violate his renewed declarations-promises about advancing the two-state vision, freezing construction in the settlements, improving the Palestinians' situation in the territories and securing the rights of Israel's Arabs.

 

A troubling aspect in the story of the Netanyahu-Obama meeting has to do with the prime minister's pattern of behavior. Bibi falls in love easily and rushes to erase difficult memories. It's a sort of unique quality, which we have already been exposed to in the past.

 

For those who have forgotten, here's a reminder: After not talking for a while on the backdrop of attempts to target Israelis, Netanyahu met with then-Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat at the Erez Crossing. Netanyahu reported that it was a friendly meeting and that the two even exchanged cigars.

 

My colleague Nahum Barnea, who was present in a briefing given by Netanyahu after the meeting, wrote at the time: "Netanyahu is in love." Netanyahu, Barnea wrote, is capable of "falling in love" so quickly that his listeners are left astonished. For some of us, it was difficult hearing Netanyahu's descriptions and words of praise for Arafat.

 

Though vastly different, Netanyahu proved after his meeting with Obama that he still maintains this unique quality in his contact with his fellowman: He often forgives and falls in loves again.

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.11.15, 14:28
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