31% of Israelis Are In Denial About Obama
A recent opinion poll shows that 31% of Israelis believe President Obama is pro-Israel. Considering the 44th president’s actions, associations and current approach towards the Middle East conflict, I can only conclude that these Israelis are either in denial or simply lack knowledge about what goes on in the States.
All irony aside, 31% is an exceptionally low number. Israelis tend to consider American presidents true friends and allies normally. With Obama, not so.
That does not mean they automatically consider him ‘the enemy,’ however. In fact, only 14% call him pro-Palestinian. 40%, the largest part of the population, say they think he is neutral.
Is that a bad position for a U.S. president to be in? Perhaps not. Perhaps a more ‘neutral’ approach is more effective right now than a hardline pro-Israel stance.
Perhaps.
But we also know that the next couple of years, possibly months, could be very difficult for the Jewish nation-state. It has to find a solution for the ongoing crisis involving the Palestinians, and it rightly fears that Iran will get its hands on nuclear weapons, which would enable the extremists who rule the country to destroy or at least seriously weaken Israel (after which other countries in the Middle East could theoretically join the war and deliver the final blow).
Considering the times, Israel could definitely use a loyal friend and ally.
On the other, such a friend should be honest enough to tell Israelis that they can only establish lasting peace by accepting the principle of Palestinian statehood and by working towards the creation of such a state. This friend also has to convince Jerusalem to cooperate on destroying Jewish settlements in Palestinian territories.
The friend has to do all this, while (s)he has to support Israel and protect its interests (its survival mainly) unconditionally.
That is the kind of friend Israel needs right now.
The author does not expand on his viewpoints or give proof – We are asked to take opinion as fact such as “his associations”. Israeli aid has been increased. When one reads the script of the press conference, both countries viewpoints become clear. Obama is on the same sheet as Bush 41 , where both mentioned “Annapolis”. Israeli’s Government a hodgepodge coalition of the ultra right wing in unprecidented power, its weaker than Obama’s. Clearly something over there is not working. Americans know it is not working.
As an example, what Obama said regarding a strike on Iran by Israel was that he would not want to be surprised by it. Can it not be debated whether that is too much to ask between allies, even when something so serious as nukes are involved?
Israel is a rogue state run by fanatical extremist nutjobs.
It seems like a myth that Palestinians will ever concede Israel is a bona fide state. Politicians talk much, but actions speak louder. I don’t think a lasting peace is possible in foreseeable future. Palestinians would prefer the Jewish state disappear; so true compromise just does not seem likely.
Israel has many friends and allies. It is debatable just how allied the current Obama administration really is; in a showdown I’m with Israel; and will not support a US administration that does not support Israel!