Opinion
The Netanyahu-Obama gap
Yoram Ettinger
Published: 25.05.11, 18:57
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25 Talkbacks for this article
1. obama
orest goyan ,   edmonton, Alberta   (05.25.11)
Is obama Dr. Evil ? No, he doesn't have a medical degree. He is just plain evil !
2. Excellent opinion piece, but ...
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (05.25.11)
... it really is all rather irrelevant. The huge and numerous standing ovations during and following Netanyahu's speech on Tuesday have sealed Obama's fate. Why wrestle with how to bridge the gap? The gap is not with the American people; it is with the lame-duck American president. Obama cannot turn it around. He's finished, and he knows it; if he doesn't -- he should.
3. Obama and Netanyahu
ggraczyk15@yahoo.com ,   Santa Rosa, CA 95401   (05.25.11)
It should be noted that Netanyahu, for all the ginned up GOP applause in Congress, is notably out of touch with American Jewish opinion which is of great importance here if not in Israel. Israel has lost the confidence of American Jews. Obama has proposed nothing new, once the inevitable distortions in the collective press are discounted. Israeli foreign affairs debacles continue unabated. Do not seek to claim that the "Arab Spring" means that Israel is not a regional source of dissension and anger. When you cross your borders in military attacks, you leave behind devastation and residual anger that seeks revenge. You have alienated important allies or influencers. Obama will be president long after Netanyahu falls from grace. May his successor come to his or her senses and make the necessary changes in policies and actions that will ensure a lasting peace for all concerned.
4. This is not Obama's only gap.
tiki ,   belgium   (05.25.11)
Look at him 'gapping' while he's at the State dinner with the Queen. The "Gd. safe the Queen" was being played, all the guests were quit and standing straight and the big "gapper continued making his speech, raising his glas untill finally he saw that nobody was answering or looking his way. Then, standing there like a schoolboy cought with his hands in the cooky jar, only then he understood what a 'gap he was. A man without dignity, stature or class.
5. 2 - I suspect the opposite is true.
Abe ,   AZ   (05.25.11)
The ovations means nothing, he got those last time he spoke there and we all know what transpired. Obama clearly and easily going to win in 2012. Netanyhoo fate has been sealed, he will either have to bring Kadima into his coalition which means Kadima sets the agenda or this thing is going to elections cause the US admin has concluded even before the peaches that Bib is not going to deliver.
6. The real gap always between Israel ...
Jamal ,   Jordan   (05.25.11)
and the rest of the world. Isreal impose illigitimatacy through power and influence of the zionist lobby. If Isreal doesnt have this power, who is going to applaud you when you steal land. if you are fair as you claim you dont need the army of PR campaigns and seek support.from others. When you run out of fuel, you will notice that no one is around you then it will be too late to applogize!
7. Obama's world view seems pretty in synch
John Robey ,   Austin. Texas   (05.25.11)
with the rest of the world except when it comes to Israel...it seem's the world views Israel somewhat more harshly than our President. Somehow his twisted thinking will result in votes of 145 against Israel and two for Israel in the UN (i.e. the world). I wonder who the two will be? Damn that Obama!
8. NR 2 AND 5 - EXELENT - !!!.
Arn. ,   Sweden.   (05.26.11)
9. gap w/ o. & net
pal joey ,   brooklyn   (05.26.11)
all of o's beliefs are now seen as in agreement w/ his blood bro. rev wright. why did jews, why did anyone vote for him when this came out during the electn campaign?
10. Completely obsolete and suicidal
C. Bendavid ,   France   (05.26.11)
You give the example of two israeli prime ministers who missed a golden opportunity to make peace. The first time in 1971 and the second one, in 1987. Golda Meir's refusal to withdraw from the Sinai led to the Yom Kippur war. Ultimately, Begin accepted the Egyptian offer made in 1971 and he withdrew the IDF from the Sinai in exchange for peace. In 1987, Peres reached an agreement with Jordan. According to this accord, most of the West Bank and the Gaza strip, would've been given back to the Hachemite kingdom. Shamir torpedoed this initiative and less than a year later, the first intifada was launched. Because of that, the king of Jordan took fear and he renounced to all his claims on the West Bank. This is what forced Israel to negociate with the only representative of the Palestinians left, the PLO. This time Israel must not repeat the same mistake. Let's go back to the 1967 borders in exchange for peace right now otherwise, we'll have to negociate with Hamas in a few years from now. Security arrangements, the demilitarization of the West Bank and the control by Israel of the Palestinian air space are enough to assure Israel's strategic depth.
11. #10 C. Bendavid, France
Albrecht Klein ,   Germany   (05.26.11)
How do you want to make peace with someone who refuses you even your right to exist?!?
12. Can anyone help to find a clue of
TOM ,   US   (05.26.11)
following statement: "The US pressured Prime Minister Ben Gurion not to declare independence..." I thought US voted for Israel Independence in 1947.
13. Obama is the face of the Democratic party
Steve Klein   (05.26.11)
Just as George W. Bush was the face of the Republican party throughout his two terms of office, just as Democrats rally around the leader of their party, so did Republicans. President Bush and his supporters gave us Barack Hussein Obama. Bush, post 9/11/2001 promoted the notion that Islam means peace. He said "the terrorists are traitors to their faith." Bush: "Its (Islam's) teachings are good and peaceful, and those who commit evil in the name of Allah blaspheme the name of Allah...." Republicans rallied around Bush. Only days after the 9/11 attacks, Bush unveiled his vision for a Muslim state in Judea, Samaria, Gaza and Jerusalem. It was essentially a recipe for Israel's destruction. Republican swore by Bush and his policies. The same holds true with Democrats and Obama. It is reported this week, the Democratic National Committee Chairwoman, in an effort to quell partisan debate over Israel "called for partisan unity on matters of Israel policy." Democrats are standing by their president, the leader of their party..
14. Tom #12
Steve   (05.26.11)
The US voted for the United Nations partion plan (resolution 181), November 29, 1947. Truman's advisors (several), especially his Secretary of State (George C. Marshall) and the State Department strongly opposed Israel's declaration of Indepence and US recognition of it.
15. #7. John Robey: Leftist dreams
Tom ,   USA   (05.26.11)
The convoluted mindset of the neo-Marxist crowd believes that "Them" represents the "Whole word". Got it? Obamao world view - Socialism, "multikultism" "Diversity" - is nothing more than the expression of "Cultural Marxism" - the new ideology of the Western elite. Israel is regarded by them a the weakest spot to attack the West. Please note: not everybody wants to put the Jews back to the oven only the Marxist-Islamofascist alliance. Of course the diction is PolCorr . to hide the goals. Currently the said alliance rules the US and most of the EU under the direction of the ugly looking Mrs. Ashton. And be sure that the Israelis won't go to their extermination peacefully. One good bomb on the Nile dam and Egypt will be washed to the sea. Yes, Israel does have friends too.-\
16. Ettinger is clueless
Zionist Obama Fan ,   Arlington VA   (05.26.11)
"Congress possesses the power to initiate policies and to suspend, amend or turn around presidential policies." Nu, b'emet -- maybe Ettinger should enroll in an Intro to American Politics class at a community college. His statement is overly simplistic and wrong in certain respects. Obama is trying to help Israel, but if Israel wants the post-September reality of isolation and sanctions, b'vakasha!
17. #16: Obama is trying to help Israel?
Steve   (05.26.11)
Obama is negotiating in behalf of the Palestinian Muslims against Israel. Obama demanded Israel freeze all construction in Judea, Samaria, Jerusalem. Netanyahu complied. The Palestinians took Obama's gift and upped the ante. Now Obama demands Israel retreat to the indefensible 1948 Arnistice ("Auschwitz") lines with some "swaps." Why should the Palestinians object when Obama is more Palestinian than the Palestinians? Do you really think Obama is trying to help Israel?
18. #17 - Yes, Obama is trying to help Israel
Zionist Obama Fan ,   Arlington, VA   (05.26.11)
The freeze should have continued. The settlements are the most colossally anti-Zionist enterprise ever undertaken because they are turning Israel into a binational state. Everyone knows what the swaps will look like and they hardly constitute Auschwitz borders. Obama is a friend, because friends don't mislead friends. Obama put it quite "dugri" about what Israel faces if it doesn't end its control of the territories.
19. #18 with friends like you and your president
Gee ,   Zikron Yaakov   (05.26.11)
We have no need of enemies. The land is ours - that is black letter international law. Friends do not attempt to appease fascist terrorists with our lands. The Arabs have no one legal claim to any of the land west of the Jordan River. Odumba is attempting to aid and abet genocide and so do you.
20. #19 Gee: New breed of Jews
Tom ,   USA   (05.26.11)
News: "Zachary Adam Chesser, 21, of Fairfax County, Virginia, was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison." What's the gist of matter? He is a Jew, converted to Islam. Remember the Jewish Taliban now in jail, and an other Jewish Islamist named Yahya Ghadan who is the AQ spokesman. Nothing new under the sun as per some posters prove here.
21. Did Obama say anything Bibi did not?
Mark Jeffery Koch ,   Cherry Hill, NJ USA   (05.27.11)
Apparently, Bibi must have a memory problem.... "The United States believes that through good-faith negotiations, the parties can mutually agree on an outcome which ends the conflict and reconciles the Palestinian goal of an independent and viable state, based on the 1967 lines, with agreed swaps, and the Israeli goal of a Jewish state with secure and recognized borders that reflect subsequent developments and meet Israeli security requirements.” That’s not Obama, Bush or Rice, but a statement jointly issued by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Nov. 11, 2010.
22. We already know how this is going to end.
John Prophet ,   of light   (05.27.11)
We’ve all heard the story. Israel is turned on by the world but when the minions of darkness move on Israel they are crushed. Sound familiar? The story is playing out as written right in front of our eyes.
23. More Catholic than the Pope
Rick ,   Los Angeles Cal.   (05.27.11)
Under normal circumstances,politicians outmaneuver each other by stating policies that are either to the right or the left of their rivals; trying to attract followers that agree with those positions. Netanyahu, did something never before seen in the annals of US history. He outmaneuverd Obama by taking a position more akin to the average American than the president of the US. The Joe "six pack" saw a prime Minister from a foreign country that understood and expressed the basic beliefs that guide the Union since its inception, much better than its own leader does. In other words Netanyahu was more Catholic than the Pope. Felt the American pulse better than Obama has ever been able to. and gained the respect and heartfelt admiration of Congress and the majority of the American people.
24. #3, #6, #10
solomon ,   bklyn   (05.27.11)
#3- Again you deign to speak for "all others". Israel has not lost the confidence of as many American Jews as you obviously hope. A minority in fact. You also overlook "minor details": Israel attacked in defense, every single time, as a result of arab violence. Sorry, no apology forthcoming. It is the arabs which must come to their senses, and so far haven't. #6- Read some history and learn the truth about stealing land. Don't start at 637AD, but 1000 years before. Also read about Jordan not allowing Jews to enter after 1948 even though it was in the armistice agreement. #10- Another "minor detail": Security arrangements, the demilitarization of the West Bank and the control by Israel of the Palestinian air space are the very topics the arabs REFUSE to negotiate from the get-go!
25. Israeli sovereignty & borders!
star37 ,   Canada   (05.29.11)
Good stand, PM Netanyahu. Ezekiel 35! An organization awarded land to the mid-east countries in 1948, Israel is only one of them. Israel gave 80% of her land to Jordan (one of the countries) for Arab peace! The "Palestinian" Arabs can go home to Jordan and Israel should possess her(20%) land including Westbank, Gaza, and Sinai. Israel is NOT the aggressor nor the mid-east problem! Ignore history and repeat it! SHALOM! Israel! God is your Strength and Deliverer! STAND!!!
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