Israel Matzav

Bibi can stand up to Obama

Anyone claiming that Israel's prime minister cannot endure US presidential pressure – and therefore must accept sweeping concessions – is either dramatically mistaken, outrageously misleading or attempting to justify inability to endure pressure.

In August 2010, Israel was ranked by "The Rusmussen Report" – for the second year in a row – as the third most favored ally of the USA (71%), following Canada and Britain, ahead of Germany, Japan, France and Mexico, significantly ahead of Egypt (42%) and Saudi Arabia (21%).

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However, the "Super Poll" is taking place daily on Capitol Hill. House Members (about 75%) and Senators (about 85%) overwhelmingly support pro-Israel legislation and resolutions, even in opposition to the president. Legislators – and especially the 435 House Members who must run for reelection every two years – are extremely sensitive to the preferences of their constituents. They are aware of the clout and centrality of the voters under the American system of government, which is the most representative in the world, distributing equal power to Congress and the White House.

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Congressional support of Israel is expected to rise following the November 2010 election, when joined by scores of new members, most of whom will be national security-oriented, identify with Judeo-Christian values, suspicious of the UN and consider the Jewish State a unique spiritual and strategic ally in the battle against Islamic terrorism. Absent from the new Congress – which will be able to restrain/check the president domestically and externally – will be a few of Israel's harshest critics on Capitol Hill: the immensely powerful Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee David Obey (21 terms), Vic Snyder, Bill Delahunt, Carolyn Kilpatrick (7 terms each), etc.

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In 2010, most public opinion polls document that support for the Jewish State constitutes one of the very few issues of consensus in an otherwise extremely polarized American society. The Jewish State has been showered by substantial support, in spite of Obama's policy, which is increasingly viewed by most Americans as radical-Left, irrespective of the "elite" media and notwithstanding hostility on university campuses and the double-standard in the UN and in Europe.

Submission to presidential pressure, by Israel's prime minister, while ignoring the unique support for the Jewish State by the American public and Congress, would amount to a slap in the face of US democracy, undermining Israel's most vital interests.

All Israeli prime ministers between Ben Gurion (1948) and Shamir (1992) leveraged Israel's support in the US, deflecting – in most cases – US presidential pressure, despite the limited material resources at their disposal. In 2010, Prime Minister Netanyahu leads a country that enjoys impressive economic, technological, industrial and defense capabilities, while the Free World is increasingly cognizant of the threatening Islamic sandstorms around the corner. Will Netanyahu follow in the footsteps of the 1948-1992 leaders, rather than pulling the rug from under the feet of Israel's supporters in the US?

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:15 PM