As Jews celebrated Passover this week, many gathered around their Seder
tables with angst and anger at President Obama and his administration
for their recent startling and shameful treatment of Israel. With Iran's
strategic Holy Week muscle-flexing on its nuclear weapons intentions
and the fate of Israel in limbo unlike ever before, Obama's impartiality
could cost the president his Jewish support.
Tensions are high. Obama recently pressured Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu to stop settlement building in east Jerusalem and
encouraged a four-month freeze after Netanyahu — in an unprecedented
move — already agreed to stop building on the West Bank as part of
concessions with the Palestinians. Obama would be wise to remember that
Israel has been building in Jerusalem for 3,000 years; it's not his
place to tell it to stop.
Obama's order was followed by a heated phone call from Secretary of
State Clinton. She reportedly took a stern tone with Netanyahu, who also
fielded harsh words from Vice President Biden when he was in Israel.
Next, a chilly reception from Obama at the White House when Netanyahu
was in town for an American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference —
a stark contrast to the lovefest between French President Nicolas
Sarkozy and Obama we witnessed this week.
Bailing on one of America's longest and most important allies is bound
to have some serious repercussions.
