Netanyahu's strange meeting with Obama
President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu met on Monday night in what has to be one of the more bizarre meetings between an American President and an Israeli Prime Minister of recent memory. Obama did not agree to the meeting until Sunday night, even though he knew that Netanyahu would be in Washington for the UJA General Assembly. But that was just the start of the strangeness. A White House statement after the one-hour, 40-minute session framed the meeting in only general terms, saying the two leaders discussed "how to move forward on Middle East peace" and also spoke about Iran and security issues.Let's start with this: What the heck was Rahm Emanuel doing there in a room full of diplomats? If you've ever sat in a business meeting with Israelis and Americans, the answer is obvious: He was available to translate for Obama so that the Israelis could not speak among themselves in Hebrew and keep their discussions private from Obama.
A spokesman for Netanyahu declined to comment on the talks and a briefing the prime minister intended to hold on Tuesday for reporters who accompanied him to Washington was canceled.
The meeting was also attended by National Security Adviser Retired Gen. Jim Jones, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, special US envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell and Director for Near Eastern Affairs at the National Security Council Dan Shapiro.
On the Israeli side, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, National Security Council head Uzi Arad, Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren and Prime Minister's Office adviser Yitzhak Molcho joined Netanyahu.
Why no statement? Well, there actually was a statement on Tuesday morning as Netanyahu was leaving Washington: He said that the meeting with Obama was 'warm.' Rahm Emanuel has confirmed that and has claimed that the 'peace process' was discussed. So I ask again: Why no statement? And why were the reporters kept out of the oval office - not even a photo op? And why did Netanyahu arrive after dark? So he could steal into the White House? So that the 'Palestinians' wouldn't find out?
My guess is that neither the White House nor the Prime Minister's office is telling the truth about this meeting. This meeting wasn't about the 'peace process.' This meeting was about Iran. Both Netanyahu and Obama want the media to think that they were discussing the 'peace process.' They weren't.
It's November 10. Obama gave Iran until the end of September to reach a deal with the West over its nuclear program, and he then extended the deadline to the end of the year. That's 51 days from now. Netanyahu is not going to sit tight and see that deadline extended again. And he needs the answer to one simple question from Obama: Are you with us or against us? Did Netanyahu get the answer he sought? We'll find out in early January.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:52 PM
5 Comments:
You're too kind, Carl. I think it was a very hostile meeting. I also believe that it involved a threat. The silence is deafening. Barak will be the one who bends, the spoiler, taking the others down with him.
But, you're right about Rahmbo being there. He knows enough Hebrew to make sure the Israelis couldn't talk among themselves.
We're about to enter the first round of Palithug violence to be backed by the WH. The terror groups are slobbering themselves in anticipation.
But I read elsewhere that the meeting was one on one except for the last 15 minutes...so we will probably never know what was said between the two when they were alone.
I do agree with you though that Iran must have been the 800lbs gorilla in the meeting. I think we will know before January what really happened because surely if Bibi told BHO Israel plans to attack Iran early next year, we will see the US take some preventative measures in Iraq and in the straight of Ormuz. If we see no movement, then we will know that Bibi caved in.
I agree with Carl that in view of Iran's belligerence and the fact that diplomacy and sanctions are going to go nowhere, I think Netanyahu made it clear Israel will act once the deadline is up and perhaps even before it formally expires. Israel is not going to live with a nuclear Iran.
That's the bottom line.
i wouldn't trust anything obama says.his words mean nothing.he lies all the time.remember who his friends are.............
To my opinion Bibi went over there to announce the countdown on the attack on Iran. The clock is ticking, and strategic nukes or on the table.
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