Opinion
Despite the accent, Netanyahu clueless about America
Alon Pinkas
Published: 17.08.14, 01:11
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45 Talkbacks for this article
1. Obama is a foe. Not America
Çhaim ,   Israel   (08.17.14)
The author writes anti Bibi and even anti Israel B.S. Israel is a huge strategic asset for America and one of America's few reliable allies. Countless Americans admit that. Obama is a foe of both Israel and America. Recent polls show Americans think Obama is the worst president since WW II
2. Let's again blame ourselves!!!
YBMBY ,   Modiin, Israel   (08.17.14)
Why criticize Obama and Kerry when it is easy to blame Netanyahu? Kerry accepts a Qatar ceasefife, Obama urges Netanyahu to apologize for a Turkish attack on Israeli soldiers (disguised as a humanitarian mission) and together they ignore that an American citizen was brutally murdered by a Palestinian government which they funded. Mr. Pinkas, just because Netanyahu doesn't fawn over the US like his predecessors, doesn't mean that he is at fault. As Obama admitted, the country is behind Netanyahu and it is Obama who doesn't internalize why. It should obvious who is to blame for the deterioration - those who claim to be Israel's staunchest allies, by buy the Palestinian propaganda - hook sink and ladder, with looking into what the truth is.
3. The PM is not "clueless" about America!
Adrian ,   New York   (08.17.14)
It is Obama & Co. that are clueless! They are clueless about every Foreign Policy area. We have never had a more inept Executive Branch in recent history! We should blame the PM for their ineptitude.
4. The only crime in relationship to America was
done by the clowns ,   Obummer&Kerry   (08.17.14)
The people of America love Israel except for the fools who vote for things like Abortion and taking away gun rights and no border control. But these will not ever come close to being a majority in America. We was and have always been God fearing folk. We are going to Impeach the Islamist traitor who gave aide and comfort to our enemy during the GWOT.
5. Would Bennet or Danoch be Better
Zecharariah   (08.17.14)
Right Wing Likud and Habayit Hayehudi would not be better .Danoch wanted to Carpet Bomb Gaza Great Idea to Unite the world against us.Feiglin would bankrupt Israel Giving half a million for each Palestinian family to Relocate to The Gulf States and Bavaria.The Basic Problem is mission Impossible .Now Hamas wants a Port and a Airbase to smuggle in WMD.Abbas is too Moderate for the Arabs He Just the Good Cop in The Fatah Ba'ath Torturers .Obama and Netanyahu are locked in Like Putin and The Tea Party.
6. Scorecard: Bibi vrs Obama
Larry ,   LA (formerly)   (08.17.14)
Bibi has very good understanding of Israel's needs, a good understanding of Israel's enemies and a fair understanding of the US. Obama has a fair understanding of America's needs, is clueless regarding US's enemies and no understanding of Israel's needs. Couple that with Bibi's success in dealing with Hamas in view of Obama's failures in Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, etc, the score card certainly tilts in Bibi's favor.
7. Bibi is simply stupid
Dan   (08.17.14)
During the 1988 Israeli elections, during a street debate in Jerusalem, I suggested that eventually Israel had to make peace, even with Arafat. Why should we, came the Likudnik's reply, when we have the backing of the US? Who says we'll always have it, I asked. The Likudnik's looked perplexed. You mean they might not always support us? he said, as if I'd suggested an alien invasion. Bibi was and remains precisely this kind of fool, not only thinking the US owes Israel something but that Israel can survive without international support. He and Sharon have undermined Israeli legitimacy and support, and perhaps irreparably damaged the country. Thakfully Sharon has gone. Now Bibi must go.
8. Netanyahu, the imposter
Nadya ,   California, USA   (08.17.14)
Finally, someone tells it like it is. Your commenters like to bash Obama as the failure but remember that American Jews voted for him in droves and most would do it again if it were possible. Netanyahu is out of touch with the reality of the world today, how many countries hold any respect for him or believe a word he says? I bet they could be counted on one hand.
9. Pinkas's article
Michael ,   Toronto, Canada   (08.17.14)
There is a broad consensus in the pro-Israel community that Obama is hostile to Israel. Netanyahu's cool relations with Obama are an effect of that hostility, not the cause of it. Essentially faulting Netanyahu for defending Israel's interests first against a president who is completely clueless on foreign policy is simply flawed. Netanyahu has nothing to be sorry for in how he has conducted himself with Obama. His lack of leadership during the Gaza War - that is another story.
10. Alon Pinkas confuses the USA with the NYT
Ehud   (08.17.14)
11. Allies
Sherlock Holmes ,   London England   (08.17.14)
On the one hand we 'put not our trust in princes nor our faith in presidents, because 'The Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps' BUT we must also do our part and use common sense. The USA is our strongest ally and we must build relations with President, Congress and People. We can fight among ourselves but we shouldn't be fighting with our allies.
12. They... the democrats...veto the UN for Jewish votes.
Steven Wilson ,   Anchorage, Alaska   (08.17.14)
They give you arms...that they never want you to use...even when you are being attacked. Netanyahu is questioning the smuck from the democratic party. Do you really think US citizens don't despise this so called leader as well? The only reason this guy is in office...is because he allows women to abort their children...pushes the gay agenda forward...allows illegals to cross into our country without papers, getting the Hispanic vote...and his incessant vitriol about how all the whites have it out for the blacks every chance he gets. He's a panderer Don't even get me going on the global warming goon fest going on. You don't have to print this one either...you might get the impression we ALL hate Israel...just like Obama and his Muslim block of voters. The reality is...you keep voting for Democrats...the Republicans like Israel. Go figure.
13. Stop screeching Mr P
Bystander TA   (08.17.14)
You sound so hysterical. Not becoming at all. Get a grip on yourself. OTT.
14. He is a worthless relic, weak and unable to change.
Michael ,   California, USA   (08.17.14)
The construction of his house is finished in Cessarea and in need of a gardener. Send Bibi home and let him become useful. Israel can do better than have an incompetent head.
15. Obama isn't America
Yoelarry ,   New York City   (08.17.14)
I don't think its correct to say Israel's relationship with America has deteriorated. The American public and Congress feel as strongly as ever about Israel. President Obama came into office being hostile to the Jewish State. Aside from the fact of his undeniable Muslim heritage the background of this man is filled with leftist and anti-capitalist relationships, teachers, mentors, and church. Seen through that lens it was no surprise to many paying attention when Obama's animus toward Israel, and by extension, Bibi, became visible almost from day one, when he pilgrimaged to Cairo and later supplicated at the feet of the King guardian of Mecca. That Bibi stood up to an obvious detractor, if not enemy, of Israel, is to his credit. G-d willing Israel will survive the two plus years left in the clutches of the adversarial Obama, Y'mach Shemo.
16. Oh...Obamaism...
oleg b ,   Chicago, IL   (08.17.14)
@Alon Pinkas, your article is so wrong on so many points, that I could not formulate the proper answer. Obama has created mess by supporting Arab spring, his middle-east policy (if one exists) destabilizing the region. Middle -east is still a playground for big boys - Russia and US. US can disengage from Africa, but not from Middle-East - many reasons, once of them is oil.
17. Peres, Barak, Sharon didn't have Obama to deal with
Janet Weiner ,   Jerusalem   (08.17.14)
Obama is a completely different president from his predecessors and is the instigator in the deterioration of US/Israel ties. Obama has shown respect for Muslims first, and everyone else second, if at all. Pay attention Alon, Bibi gets it, you don't.
18. Pinkas alon article
Harvey Lithwick ,   Metar Israel   (08.17.14)
It is Alon who does not "get" the u.s. the U.S. is more than the president. And the majority of Americans are unhappy with their President . Moreover, he is not simply disengaging from the Middle East, but from the beginning hehas been changing sides, always favoring the extremists.
19. Good article but there is more
Mark B. ,   Amsterdam / Holland   (08.17.14)
Besides the person Netanyahu, there are his policies (which are merely a continuation of those of his predecessors). A recent PEW poll in the US found that 67% of Americans between 18-29 years of age believe Israel is to blame for the ongoing warfare with Palestinians and that the occupation of the WB and the blockade of Gaza are wrong, unjust and an act of ongoing agression of Israel's part. Israel has another 10 years or so to reverse their policies and end the 'Judea & Samaria' project, before it will loose the US as an ally altogether.
20. you can't blame Bi Bi
R ,   Israel/us   (08.17.14)
When the US wants Israel to commit suicide!
21. Besides quatar,who is friendly with Obama?
trump   (08.17.14)
turkey and Iran!
22. RESPECT
Ronnie ,   Australia   (08.17.14)
The man has balls, big balls. So did his brother. And both proved it in combat. Obama has no balls at all. Your Prime Minister will not wave a piece of paper in the air, (read history) your Head of State has a dynamic, high, tech nation building for the 21st century. Not food stamps at home and jobs off shore. US Monopoly money is about to die. Show some respect for man who loves, cares and fights for your well being and very survival every bloody day of the week. History rhymes so do the sound off steel wheels on a rail road track. For the love of God stop being Jewish for five minutes and stand together in agreement. Your very survival. It is all too much for the human unit.
23. Netanyahu
efbarasch ,   sacramento usa   (08.17.14)
There are three problems with Netanyahu. 1) He thinks that the Neo-Cons represent conventional American thinking and that Obama is an aberration. He is wrong. 2) He is a blow hard. There is no way Israel can deal with the Iranian underground facilities militarily if the IDF can't handle Hamas tunnels even with a ground operation. I estimate that only a small percentage of the tunnels were destroyed. 3) He has no Arab friends. He has no insight into the way Arabs think or what is on their minds.
24. The problem with the relationship
Susan ,   Kfar Saba   (08.17.14)
has to do with Obama. Obama was hostile from the get go. All Democratic presidents prefer a left wing prime minister. Netanyahu doesnt roll over and do what Obama wants, so Obama gets mad like a petulent child. Netanyahu is doing exactly what his voters elected him to do. Furthermore, no one could do a better job in tv interviews than Bibi. He was right on in his interview with Sean Hannity. A lot of our politicians speak English well, but he's got the nuance and the slang that no one else has. His line about Islamic radicalism "coming to a theater near you" was not only witty but chilling and I think every American who watched got it. Bibi must have gone to a lot of movies when he lived there.
25. Some truth, some falsehood
SK ,   Tel Aviv   (08.17.14)
The author is correct that Netanyahu erred politically in appearing too much of a Republican supporter. He also perhaps fails to take into account the generational and ethnic change amongst the younger generations of Americans. That said, the Obama Administration's foreign policy has been a disaster (most Americans agree with this), and for all his faults I think Netanyahu has a much greater understanding of Israel's interests and predicament than Obama.
26. Clueless about America?
tiki ,   belgium   (08.17.14)
The problem is not America, but a President, his FM and their advisers who are clueless about how things work in the Middle East.
27. (8) Nadya
tiki ,   belgium   (08.17.14)
False prophets usually draw bigger crowd than the lone whistle-blower!
28. Netanyahu's accent
Mark Sloman ,   Neve Daniel, Israel   (08.17.14)
As a seasoned diplomat, Mr. Pinkas should understand that respect need not entail capitulation or, on a lessor scale, compromise on matters of vital national security. Mr. Obama's lack of foreign policy experience and acumen has left the world and the our region awash in instability. The US is losing respect, deterrence and respect daily. Her aid to Israel is not charity or goodwill, it is the least expensive route for a White House loath to confront the very real threat posed by Islamic terror organizations operating with relative impunity throughout our region.
29. Do not compair between Obama & BB
Jew1 ,   Ashdod   (08.17.14)
Obama's foreign policy is a disaster. He and his advisers are clueless when it comes to middle east. Obama's history is one generation of loyalty to his country, mixed roots and languages and over hyped personality. Till now we don't know whether he is a Muslim or Christan. He is a mistake which America repeated. BB is loyal to this country by generations, his roots are from Israel. His religion is the same as of his forefathers. BB is the pillar founded on a solid history of Jewishness and torah. He is doing exactly what is needed to be done for this country. Do not ever doubt BB and compair him with Obama whose birth country and religion is not defined yet. Second thing, America is not against BB, Obama is. The problem lies with Obama and not BB.
30. Obama vs Bibi, O vs Putin, O vs Merkel...see a pattern here?
Chifter ,   USA   (08.17.14)
OBAMA is the one alienating most allied leaders, not the other way around. He returned a British gift of Churchill to drive home is ideological points; purged the American military of good generals with opposing political views; ticked off Merkel, Putin, China....even the Taiwanese and S. Koreans don't trust him. Why blame Bibi?
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