My new article on our prime minister’s disastrous trip to Washington is up at The American Prospect.
Mr. Netanyahu wanted badly to go to Washington. He wanted to warm himself in the worship of thousands of delegates at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual convention, far from the cacophony of his unruly ruling coalition. He knew that if he didn’t get White House time during his visit, the media back home would report, chorally, that he’d caused a rift in relations with Israel’s essential ally. To end the spat with the administration over Israeli construction in East Jerusalem, he made some half-publicized promises to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and got his invite to meet President Barack Obama.
And perhaps during this meeting he learned (if Benjamin Netanyahu ever learns) that you should be terribly careful what you wish for.
For the Washington visit has only made it more obvious that he has managed to estrange himself from Israel’s friends. Support for Israel, the nation’s allies are telling him, does not mean even begrudging acceptance of continued settlement building in occupied territory – and they will not make exceptions for East Jerusalem. Before Netanyahu arrived home, the local media were reporting on the crisis in relations with the United States. …
Read the rest here, and come back to South Jerusalem to comment.
It’s clear who’s in the stronger position.
Yeah, the one who makes the decision whether or not construction will take place in east Jerusalem. That would be Netanyahu, for now at least. All the rest about Bibi’s coalitions and Obama’s health care reform success is irrelevant next to the simple question of who decides whether there will be construction.
And that’s why all the talk about a “crisis” is a joke. It will be completely forgotten in a few months’ time. A real crisis in US-Israel relations would involve at the very least the serious possibility of a cutback in aid, in the form of cash, weapons, or Security Council vetoes. Obama couldn’t do that even if he wanted, for obvious domestic reasons.
The crisis-mongers have their job to do, but that doesn’t mean we have to take them seriously. Obama is just talking tough to appease certain constituencies and/or to please the Arabs, who are too smart to be taken in by this kind of show anyway. I don’t know why Ambassador Oren said this was a big crisis – probably as a way to rally the pro-Israel lobby. Reporters are big on “crises” because they bring in ratings and make the reporters feel important. Ideologues (yeah, I know, I’m one) like crises because they’re a springboard for ideological rants. It’s really no big deal.
Yeah, seriously — if there was a “crisis,” both sides began trying to paper over it almost as soon as it began. Daniel Larison is quite right: this incident was no good for anyone concerned. Obama will inevitably end up looking ineffectual (not that his other alternatives would have worked out any better). Netanyahu will be dogged by one more foreign policy blunder, in a year in which he’s already managed to accumulate an embarrassing surplus of them. And if you believe, as I do, that Israel should take the opportunity to negotiate with the most moderate Palestinian government we’ve thus far seen (the decision to name a square after Dalal Mughrabi notwithstanding), then it’s bad news for Israel as well.
The falling apart of trust between israel and the US is far from a small crisis that’ll blow over, as Aaron says. I live in the US and I can tell you that every day brings another Jewish constituency or group that’s peeling off nethaniahu’s Israel. For years now there has been a growing divergence between US Jewish people and Israel. The former increasingly resent the attempt of the latter to represent them in any way. The process has accelrated since the Gaza massacre and the formation Nethaniahu’s right wing government. The release of the Goldstone report made painfully obvious, especially in left wing circles where it was wholeheartedly welcome. At the moment, the divergence is still happening on a very deep level; not one that’s always obvious on the surface. It’s occuring partly because yahoo is a neocon at heart and jews are democrats in both heart and mind. partly it’s because it’s becoming increasingly clear that current day israel no longer shares the values most jewish americans are brought up on, values that are mostly American but reinforced by cultural Judaism (if it ever shared those values is another question). The poll by J street reinforces the fact that the majority of Jews who identify as democrats back Obama’s approach all the way and have no problem with tightening the screws on israel much more. Neither do they share the view that Iran is all that much of a threat, backing negotiations rather than sanctions.
We all realize that the big money – from the ones who contribute so much to the democratic party coffers (over 50% by many counts) is lagging behind the jewish grass roots. But, little by little, the money will over to back Obama too, even – if he escalates pressure on israel. And when it becomes clear that the cost to the party coffers is not unbearable, that’s when the Great Divergence will break into the surface.
Gershom did not mention the fact that it’s also becoming painfully clear that AIPAC has become a republican bastion of power. Not surprising if we realize that AIPAC is mostly Likud nowadays (there was an article to that effect in haaretz which I failed to save). But the GOP is not the party in power and the christian right wing does not have the power it once did, either. Sure, AIPAC can still bring members of congress of both parties to heel because they can threaten the money tap. A disgusting circus of groveling, if there ever was one. But in the end, when it’ll become clear that money is both replaceable and transferable, Aipac may be exposed as more of a bark than a bite.
For that day to come soon, we all hope. Even as many in israel say this passover – next year – in New York – the true Jerusalem.
Dana-
Sure, I see a not insignifant number of American Jews who are “embarrassed” by Israel, but, so what? The American public is pro-Israel, NOT primarily because of the Jewish lobby, but because most Americans support Israel , period.
Over and over, from Israel bashers like MJ Rosenberg, Richard Silverstein and others,we hear that the only reason Congress supports Israel is because of AIPAC and “The Jewish Lobby”, meaning that “really” they would oppose Israel because “obviously” they would view things like neurotic Jews like them see them, but Jews of this type, who bring all their Jewish angst to public policy do NOT represent “American interests” or American public opinion. Congress supports Israel because they see that is what their constituents want. The fact that the Jewish Left is constantly obsessing about wanting a Palestinian state (far more than the Palestinians or rest of the Arab world does) does not mean that everyone else does. America would be pro-Israel even if there were no Jews in the US, just as there were strong pro-Zionist movements in the US as early as the 1840’s, long before there was a significant Jewish population in the US.
Obama is the best thing that has happened to the Israeli Right in decades. This is because it is here in Israel that the real decisions were made. Presidents who supposedly “loved us” got us to make the disastrous Oslo Agreements which led to a bloody suicide bomber war (Clinton) and the equally disastrous Gush Katif fiasco (Bush) which led to two more bloody wars (Lebanon and Gaza -‘Cast Lead’) . A new President, who openly doesn’t like us and who will hopefully cut the aid the US gives us, which we don’t need and which damages our economy and hamstrings our foreign policy, will force us to end this debilitating psychological dependence on America which is not good for us OR for them and will force the Arabs to openly show their hand which is their total refusal to make peace on any terms with Israel.
As for you “liberal American Jews” who don’t like Israel….well, all I can say is that you need us a lot more than we need you. If you cut yourselves off from Israel, you will be the ones to suffer as your “galuti”-exilic spiritual resources whither away.
YBD, I’d take you on, were it not for statements like these that are as pernicious and ridiculously wrong as they are nonsensical:
The fact that the Jewish Left is constantly obsessing about wanting a Palestinian state (far more than the Palestinians or rest of the Arab world does) does not mean that everyone else does.
Really? so what were those Intifadas all about – Broadway shows? by all means get out of your gated fort some time and talk to real Palestinians. Not that you see them as human or anything, but hey – people talked even to their would-be slaves, didn’t they?
America would be pro-Israel even if there were no Jews in the US, just as there were strong pro-Zionist movements in the US as early as the 1840’s, long before there was a significant Jewish population in the US.
I will not get into a long debate with you on this issue, which is patently not true historically. Suffice it to say, that support for Zionism until WWII was beyond luke-warm in the US – freezing cold was more like it. Even after WWII most European refugees would have so much rather immigrated to a true homeland – which is what America has become – than to that little country in the ME, with which they had zero affinity. As for the AIPAC take-over of our foreign policy, that took off after ’67, accelerating in the ’80s, and culminating in the wrong-headed invasion and massacres of Iraq in 2003.
The American public is pro-Israel, NOT primarily because of the Jewish lobby, but because most Americans support Israel , period.
That support is mighty soft, as you’ll come to find out in due course. A recent Zogby poll showed that far fewer than half of Americans support the jerusalem settlements, with democrats as a while tilting 85% against. Democrats also supported at over 60% putting what needed pressure there is on Israel in the interest of bringing about 2 states. In a crunch most americans, even republicans (well, some of them) will go with their own classy president than with a klutzy yahoo israel has got for a marketing rep.
As for you “liberal American Jews” who don’t like Israel….well, all I can say is that you need us a lot more than we need you. If you cut yourselves off from Israel, you will be the ones to suffer as your “galuti”-exilic spiritual resources whither away.
Really?many in America feel that it is Israel that is the true galut. Seeing as they are eager to re-erect the shtetls of old – soon for the entire country to be a seamless stretch of gated communities, some with the mandatory head-gear – fur hats and scarves and all things coiff.
Buy hey, who am to say? enjoy your bubble while you can. We have a new zion to erect over here. Just keep the shnorring to a reasonable level, will you?
To me what’s fascinating is the Netanyahu foreign policy of insulting friends and trading partners (the timing of the construction announcement to coincide with VP Biden’s visit, the incident with the Turkish ambassador, etc). It plays well to the Israeli political audience to say “we don’t need anybody!”
But the truth is you do. Even the United States can’t “go it alone” without friends, immigrants, and trading partners.
Perhaps Netanyahu thinks he can skip regional diplomacy, ignore Europe, and take the support of the U.S. for granted. He’s probably hoping his Republican friends will oust the Democrats and President Palin will invade Iran to improve the popularity of her Presidency. Sounds a lot easier than doing the real work of coalition building to contain Iran and preparing for the “soft kill” of the military dictatorship now forming there. (See Thomas P.M. Barnett’s posts on http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com/ for Iran moving into the “soft kill” zone that worked with the Soviet Union).
It’s too bad, since now would be a pretty good time to forge rapprochements with Arab nations and others who have a mutual interest in containing Iran.
True, Netanyahu and his coalition still make the “real” decisions and call the shots. That doesn’t change the strategic myopia or the confusion of isolation with independence.
As a “newby” to these conversations going on about Israel and the United States and having met Gershom in Jerusalem last November, I am increasingly fascinated with an attempt to understand what is driving the politics there. In the above comments I read references to Pres. Obama as being a friend to Israel and other comments about his being an ememy. In the US press we see pictures and read accounts this week about a new tradition in the White House, the Seder, which brings focus to the epic story of the delivery of the Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt by the great Moses. Seems like we have a growing identification with the Israeli Story right in the center of American halls of power and an ignoring of the equally valid Palestinian story. Further, one reads and hears from last week’s AIPAC conference about Israel viewing Jerusalem as their “Eternal Capital”, certainly Biblically sounding language. With settlement construction seeming to be an attempt to exclude any future claim on Jerusalem as a capital for a Palestinian State I am forced to wonder what has become of the Biblical call for the Jews of Israel to respect and care of the foreigners in the land, remembering their own redemption from slavery in Egypt. (see Deuteronomy 24:17-18) Is this a case of amnesia (forgetting the horrific past including the Holocaust) or a case of pure power politics obscured in religious language and claims? Is there anyone who can help me understand if there is any relevance to the Biblical call for the nation of Israel to treat the other people of the land as worthy of respect equal to ones own desire to be respected?
Y. B.-D. : “most Americans support Israel , period.”….”Congress supports Israel because they see that is what their constituents want.”
Well, no. 1 that is changing. Both are beginning to see that Israel’s policies are not in America’s best interest and so unconditional support is definitely not in our interest. Now our soldiers deaths are being connected to Israeli intransigence with regard to the peace process and respecting international law regarding occupied territories and settlements.
The polls show that support amongst Jewish Americans, Democrats especially, is declining- especially with the young. It’s Israel’s perceived immoral policies and actions that are responsible.
For a good article and links to the stats ( especially via Rosner in the JP) see
Why Israel and Liberal Jews are Moving Apart by Jacob Weisberg on Slate.
I happen to disagree with the whole “the people are finally waking up to Israel’s real policies” line of thinking. I’ve been hearing that as long as I’ve been paying attention.
What really is awful is Israel’s inability to put together a decent government. This article is the first I’ve heard of the Merkel phone call, but it doesn’t surprise me a bit. That’s Netanyahu, and unfortunately, that’s Israel too much of the time.
For whatever reason, Israel still has broad support among Americans; it certainly isn’t because of their smooth diplomats, that meme went out generations ago.
“The world” seems to be deciding that this Israeli government is a bad joke that can’t be worked with. Whether or not Bibi or Obama will have the last word on those 1600 houses is really beside the point. The real issue is not the houses or the Obama/Bibi drama, the real issue is Israel”s lousy government. GW Bush took on Shamir over settlements, and helped to precipitate the return to power of Labor in its first landslide in a generation; and from that, Oslo immediately flowed.
Now, some of us are once bitten twice shy with naive European centered peace initiatives. So, I’m not so enthusiastic because my reading is that even if Israel gets a moderate government mandated to make peace back in power, the Palestinian side really isn’t at the place they need to be, and I don’t think it’s going to be easy to get them there, whether a building freeze is implemented or not. It goes deeper than that, and they and the world aren’t ‘in touch’ with their honest feelings enough.
It’s one thing to make Israel stop the settlements; believe it or not, that’s the easy part. Building a viable Palestine where none currently exists or ever has existed will be quite a bit harder than creating modern democracy in Afghanistan or a democratic, multicultural Iraq. Funny how the people who are skeptical about the former are optimistic about the latter and vice versa.
Oh, and for those who think the problem starts and ends with Bibi, that if only there were a more moderate Israeli government then the world would be back to loving Israel again, let’s remember that Tzipi Livni can’t get off a plane in Britain for fear of being arrested as a war criminal.
So, let’s dump Bibi, and Avigdor Lieberman, and Deputy Minister Ayalon, and Shas for Israel’s sake…but let’s also be realistic about what to expect.
Look Dave, Israel, the government, Netanyahu, the Israeli people, has/have already made it’s/their choices not to risk or allow the Palestinians to build a state. Arguing about the response to that is a side show. Whether Israel has a right anymore to prevent a Palestinian state is the question.
Dave-
Just because you don’t like the current Israeli government’s policies doesn’t mean it isn’t a “decent” government. This government represents a pretty broad consensus of public opinion and it has weathered the global economic crisis pretty well. If elections were held today, the results would be pretty much the same as they were in the election a year ago, and I am taking into consideration the current crisis in relations with the US.
You are quite right about the Palestinians, though, and you made a very good point about how people who think the US is incapable of influencing events in Iraq and Afghanistan even with the use of armed force, somehow think a magic wand can be waved and a “peaceful, prosperous, democratic Palestinian state living side by side in peaceful cooperation with Israel” come into being. Just read Gershom’s pieces about his delusions of “sharing” Jerusalem.
Y.,
this govt may represent a broad consensus of Israelis, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good government. I don’t see how anyone could describe Lieberman as a good foreign minister or Ayalon as a good deputy minister, even though their posturing is apparently popular among their constituency. There are two sides to governing, getting elected and then leading. Netanyahu, Yisrael Beitenu, Shas, etc are good at getting elected, but they appear to be awful leaders.
Under Labor, Jerusalem was massively built upon to favor a Jewish ‘reunification’ theme, and the world didn’t seem too bothered. That was because Kollek and Labor leaders were pretty sensible and knew how to play the game.
The antics that rightist leaders have been using over the decades have helped them get elected, but at what cost? A massive drop in confidence among the world.
Did Israel really need to annex the Golan Heights or E Jerusalem? Did it change the situation on the ground in any way or did it just make Israelis feel good to flex their muscles? Does ostentatious confrontationalism like opening a small yeshiva in the heart of the Moslem Quarter really improve the balance sheet in Israel’s favor more than quietly building a neighborhood in a strategic but less of a flashpoint area?
Unfortunately, while the current government may represent the real Israel, it doesn’t look at all inspiring to the Western world, who will now, as Obama has shown, be less inclined to wait for Israeli input before acting.
We like to point out how incompetent the Arab world is. But when you have a Shas minister announcing a new neighborhood during Biden’s visit, when you have Ayalon boasting to the cameraman to watch closely as he humiliates the Turkish ambassador and later have to apologize, when you have Lieberman blustering across Europe showing that he doesn’t grasp what the nature of a democracy is, then whether this sort of pushy chaos represents Israel better than kibbutz loving liberals doesn’t really matter. What matters is that to the world the gap between western Israel and ‘those crazy Arabs’ has shrunken.
Precisely because Israel is in such a precarious situation it can’t afford to have its fragile image so carelessly shattered by such hamfisted actors.