U.S. Must Remember Israel Is an Important Ally

Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph March 17, 2010

It is difficult to see how the Obama administration's decision to postpone indefinitely Senator George Mitchell's planned visit to Israel squares with its commitment to negotiate a two-state peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians. The Jerusalem no-show by Sen Mitchell, who is Washington's special envoy to the region, marks an alarming escalation in the rift between Israel and the US – which began last week when the Israeli government announced the construction of 1,600 apartments in East Jerusalem, just as the American Vice President, Joe Biden, arrived in the capital.

Even though Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, hurriedly apologised to Mr Biden for any offence or embarrassment the announcement might have caused, Washington has refused to let the matter rest. As well as cancelling Sen Mitchell's visit, Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, has informed Mr Netanyahu that no senior Israeli officials will be welcome in Washington until the matter has been resolved. The White House has even resorted to briefing that Israel's policy is jeopardising the lives of American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Related Articles US envoy delays Israel trip as row escalates Dangers of Israeli rift

It is easy to understand why many of the former Clinton administration officials now working for Barack Obama believe they have a score to settle with Mr Netanyahu, who did much to ruin Bill Clinton's peace initiative in the late 1990s. But Washington's reaction is in danger of becoming disproportionate. Israeli politicians can be infuriating at the best of times, but their country is nevertheless an important regional ally – and one whose support is crucial to resolving more important global issues, such as tackling Iran's nuclear ambitions.

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Published: 7:43PM GMT 16 Mar 2010

Comments 16 | Comment on this article

Comments: 16

Best stay friends with Israel. At some point soon, we're going to need them to bomb Iran.

Postponing Mr Mitchell's visit is about all Obama can do after Netanyahu's calculated insult - he's not going to take on the Israel lobby and he can't do anything concrete like cut US funding to the country (Israel has more friends on Capitol Hill than he has) so it's this or nothing. The fact that it plays into Bibi's hands by further delaying peace talks is less important than avoiding being labeled 'weak' by the US media.

"their country is nevertheless an important regional ally" Could you please explain how a country that was founded on acts of terrorism against the British Army can in any way be considered our ally?

Israel and the Palestinian issue remains the greatest cause of of unrest in the world. Israel is determined to continue to annex East Jerusalem. British troops should not be fighting abroad until this problem has been resolved.

Re instantSaver. Some village appears to be missing an idiot.

As I write, I'm listening to a BBC Newsnight programme also highlighting an apparent "rift" between America and Israel. But who is it that is funding the illegal settlements? And who supplies the arms used by Israel in the flagrant violations of human rights of the Palestinians? Why is the Western media so bent on misreporting this outrage?

MikeA: "Israel's unwillingness to reach an equitable settlement with its Middle East neighbours overshadows the USA's standing in the Middle East and much of the Muslim world as an impartial negotiator in the myriad issues which plaque this part of the world." Yes, the crux of the conflict is the definition of 'equitable settlement' - Israel defines it as its Jewish citizens being allowed to live, and the Muslim world defines it otherwise.

Some construction announcement anybody, from illegally occupied Malvina Islands, Gibraltar, and Northern Ireland? Gordon Brown should apologise to President Obama for this continuing imperialistic colonialism.

East Jerusalem refers to that part of the city which was occupied after the 6 days' war and which Israel unilaterally declared to be as one with the part she already held and her inalienable capital. This is a position diametrically opposed by UNSC Resolution 478 (the US abstained at that time but surely later recognised this situation via a formal Senate resolution in 1990) and has never been reconciled with the Palestinian position. Jordan withdrew her claims to this part of the West Bank, inter alia, in 1988 - but expressly without recognising the Israel position. There is constant fault on both sides re Israel:Palestine - but building in the occupied area is completely incompatible with any pretence at goodwill or movement towards a Settlement here. The US has in the past been extremely supportive of Israel's actions which have been unhelpful to the divided situation. This change in attitude is surely a pragmatic one which at last resists any action by one of the parties in the region that acts to deny a Settlement. There is much on the internet, not all objective, that can be read about the situation in East Jerusalem. The 1947 Plan required it belong to nobody - but it was swiftly annexed by Jordan (and we alone recognised this position in the UK). The irony of the by-right-of-conquest occupation by Israel being treated as beyond the pale is plain. That said, Israel has a long record of seeking to make it less Arab and more Jewish in terms of occupancy. Some would suggest it was a long-term political strategy of ethnic cleansing. The 1600 apartments to be built which are a bone of contention here are surely for Jews - and much higher figures of up to 25,000 intentionally swamping new homes for entirely Jewish occupants in East Jerusalem can be found on the stocks. None of this bodes for any kind of Settlement between the two factions in this region – can this go on forever? Is Washington trying to say this, despite her strong alliance with Israel? Israel faces an Arab Muslim demographic time-bomb within those of that background holding Israeli passports. There are very complex issues here which do not serve Jewish interests in the longer term. Short term squabbles are only a distraction.

No body is indispensable always useful to remember when sizing up the loses and gains of any relationship

Israel and the United States have an important long-term alliance and communality of interest. And I support the establishment and existence of the State of Israel as the historic homeland of the Jewish people. But neither should be used as an excuse or easement to allow the current government coalition in Israel to avoid making real efforts to enabling a long-term solution to the need for a two-state solution and peace and dignity for the Palestinian people. Unfortunately the only way that this is likely is by continuing US pressure on an instransigent Israeli government for the long term sake of all concerned. The vast secular or middle of the road part of the Israeli electorate need this US help to defeat the right-wing and religous minorities that are pushing matters to the current extremes.

In reality, the US is showing some much-needed backbone over the issue of Israel and its continuing belligerence. If the US had been behaving in a more even-handed and fair way over the behaviour of Israel, we might not be in a position where we need this sort of objectionable ally. One of the major reasons we are in this mess is because the US has turned a blind eye to Israel's behaviour for the best part of 60 years, and has even encouraged this nasty little racist state to behave badly. Israel is more than infuriating. It is positively poisonous.

"Israel's support is crucial to resolve more important global issues". What a load of unadulterated hogwash! Israel is a major hurdle in resolving important global issues. Israel's unwillingness to reach an equitable settlement with its Middle East neighbours overshadows the USA's standing in the Middle East and much of the Muslim world as an impartial negotiator in the myriad issues which plaque this part of the world. Put simply much of the Islamic world does not trust the USA.

In other words, the US should just bow to Israel again. Put Israel's interest ahead of the US'. Israel First

Israel will never be anti american because the way a country treats its local jewsih population is a major litmus test of the relatonship . however america quite rightly has to act in its own interests as does israel it should be noted that over 2000 years ago the romans were initially invited into the jewish state as close allies ( especially julius ceasar) yet ultimately were the cause of the destruction of the state.

It should be clear by now to anyone with a pair of eyes that the White House is under the control of a neo-marxist who is twisting official US foreign policy to reflect his antipathy towards the west and towards democracy. It was evident in the inexplicable US support for the Chavez-wannabee who was rightly turfed out by the Supreme Court of Hondurus, it was evident in the recent US betrayal of the UK over the Falklands, and it has been evident for a long while in the desire of the Obama administration to abandon Israel. The only consolation is that Obama and his marxism will likely be turfed out in two years time: more like a peanut farmer than the messiah.