Twelve US presidents and thirteen Israeli prime ministers have met since Israel’s independence in 1948. Yet no meeting before seems to have generated as much hype, commotion, expectation and speculation as today’s in Washington between the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and President Barack Obama. Is this merely a media-manufactured drama? Or is it a potential clash of views with far-reaching consequences for the Middle East political — formerly known as peace — process?
In order to save the reader unnecessary suspense, I would submit the following bottom line: there will not be any extraordinary drama. As a former foreign policy adviser and diplomat in four governments I have attended several such meetings and been privy to what happened in others. With all modesty I can describe the exchanges that will follow.
The meeting will be described as cordial, an honest exchange of opinions and ideas between perennial friends. Both gentlemen will reiterate clichés about unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and the unshakeable alliance between our two great countries. Both leaders will pay tribute to each other’s courageous leadership at a time of crisis and naturally and unavoidably will emphasise their dedication to lasting peace in the region.
It will take weeks before we know how persistent Obama and Netanyahu have been in advancing their respective policies despite their differences. During that time the US special envoy George Mitchell, of Northern Ireland fame, will arrive for clarifications and Obama is scheduled to go to Cairo to deliver a general outline of US policy towards the Muslim world. In that speech, Obama will determine to what extent the US will be active as mediator or power-broker in the process.
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