In his State Department speech to the Arab world, President Obama threw Israel overboard as he demanded that Israel must make major concessions to achieve peace in the region. When you cut through his rhetoric, Obama believes that Israel must make major concessions that include Jerusalem and the right of return so there can be a peace.
Obama rejected the notion that the coming together of Fatah and Hamas is a deal breaker. He called it a legitimate question (How can Israel come to agreement with Hamas that does not recognize the State of Israel?) but he believes there is an answer to this question that will allow Israel to negotiate with Hamas.He gave lip service to the idea of a Jewish State and to Israel's security but he emphatically stated that the the indefensible borders of the 1967 (with undefined adjustments) will be the borders of the State of Israel and the new Palestinian State.
Before Obama gave the speech, the consensus of opinion said that he would not get specific when talking about Israel and the Palestinians. They said that his Middle East coordinator Dennis Ross opposed getting specific. These commentators were wrong. While saying that the sides must come to terms on their own Obama created a box that hems in Israel and allows the enemies of America (Fatah and Hamas) to reap the benefits.
His timing could not have been more damaging to Israel. Israel's Prime Minister is on his way to America to meet with Obama and speak to a Joint Session of Congress.Why would President Obama lay down so many public markers before meeting with Israel's closest ally in the region? Is this the way you treat allies?
Obama is the consummate mass politician. He understands that it is important to gain the support of the masses to strengthen your position. This speech was an exercise in gaining the upper hand over Israel. He showed the Arab world and Israel's opponents in Europe that he will bushwhack an ally to get what he wants. American is no longer Israel's guardian. Sure he said that he would guarantee Israel's security but after this speech would anyone believe that he would keep this commitment?
As mass demonstrations shook the Arab world, demonstrations that may create serious problems for Israel's security, Israel's friends felt that during these unsettled times and the Hamas/Fatah coming together there should be a time out on talks with the Palestinians that were going nowhere. Today, Obama came down on the side that now is the time to go full steam ahead and Israel must take the lead in concessions.
Source: onejerusalem.org
