Israel Matzav

Don't believe your lying eyes

Even before Prime Minister Netanyahu showed up at the White House on Tuesday, former peace processor Aaron David Miller was warning not to believe the seemingly relaxed news conference at the end (Hat Tip: Gershon D).

Still, beneath it all, darker dysfunction brews. Obama has high expectations — a two-state solution and all the core issues resolved. Netanyahu, meanwhile, has a low delivery capacity.

Bridging this gap won’t be easy. And keeping the Palestinians in the process could be even harder.

Unlike Netanyahu, Obama does seem in a hurry. He wants a two-state solution on his watch. Time is not his ally.

It’s not entirely clear why Obama considers this matter so urgent. Without direct negotiations, it is true that Israel will not be able to renew the settlements’ freeze. But if Washington presses too hard with its own ideas now, it could lead to a crisis, the breakdown of negotiations or the need for a premature U.S. plan.

None of this would be good for Obama. His personal relationship with the prime minister is not good. His street cred with the Israeli public is low. Unlike Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, who seemed in love with Israel and far more forgiving of its behavior, Obama seems detached. He is considered by many to be more inclined to empathize with the Arabs and Palestinians.

Read the whole thing.

Two words on Obama: Rashid Khalidi.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:44 AM