Israel Matzav

Danny Danon tells Obama to stay home

The Daily Beast reports that Likud MK Danny Danon, described as a 'Netanyahu minion,' has told President Obama to stay home.

Netanyahu’s office has refused to comment on the idea, describing it as “press speculation.” But Danny Danon, a Likud lawmaker and deputy speaker of Israel’s parliament, told The Daily Beast that Obama should stay home.

“I think it would be too little, too late, and I don’t think it will have an impact on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision,” said Danon, who describes himself as one of Netanyahu’s intimates. “If we see a real commitment from the U.S., that might change something. But this would just be a campaign visit.”

“We don’t see real leadership on Iran,” Danon added, referring to Obama.

His comments seemed to reflect the sentiment of at least some in the government of Netanyahu, who has had a more troubled relationship with the White House than any of his predecessors, going back at least two decades.

They also breached a wall of silence within the ruling party about the issue since Yadlin’s opinion piece was published on Aug. 17. Several other Likud lawmakers refused to speak on record about the idea.

Danon's analysis of Obama is correct, although I wish he had as much influence on Netanyahu as the writer thinks he has. And I believe that at this point an Obama visit to Israel would make it harder for Netanyahu to attack Iran, although I don't believe that visit is going to happen anyway.

Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, Binyamin Netanyahu, Campaign 2012, Danny Danon, Iranian nuclear threat, Israeli attack on Iran

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:49 AM