Suddenly all of Israel's "friends" in Washington have shed their skin. They, too, sense a rare opportunity in the Middle East. They, too, are tired of what Netanyahu has tried to peddle. They, too, understand that the Yitzhar settlement in the West Bank must precede Iran's nuclear reactor in Bushehr. How pathetic and heartrending was the sight of the Israeli prime minister, sitting tense and sweaty, next to the new American president, confident, stylish, and impressive, without all the jokes and back-patting of Ehud Olmert and George W. Bush. The latter was in fact the least friendly president to Israel - one who allowed it to carry out all its violent madness.
From Gideon Levy, Israeli activist, calling Obama a friend of Israel, unlike Bush.
Despite this Netenyahu government still dares to call Obama's emphasis on a real state for the Palestinians "stupid and childish".
Obama has insisted on an end to the Jewish-only settlement expansion in the West Bank. These settlements are a breach of international law that prohibits the transfer of population into land under military occupation.
Israel says NO. No, the settlements will grow, and building will not stop atop Palestinian land. NO, they tell Obama, the demolition of homes of Palestinians in Jerusalem will continue.
We know that the Israeli government announced that it will tear down a few "Illegal Outposts" in the West Bank. These "outposts" may consist of nothing more than a trailer or two, but Israel may do a media event and remove them, leaving 99.999% of the settlements free to grow and take more Palestinian land. The net outcome is that Palestinians will lose more land, the chances of any peace further than ever.
An Israeli refusal of Obama's efforts will reveal that there is no peace partner in the Middle East. The absent partner is Israel. No to peace with 57 countries, no to a move that will neutralize the threat of the Iranian bomb, and no to two states now. This is not only a no to peace but also a no to a chance to end the war over Israel's establishment with a major victory. This would mean that Israel's greatest strategic asset ever, its alliance with the United States, would be destroyed. Netanyahu may now endanger Israel even more than Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Levy.
Will Obama stand up to this other "Party of NO"? Not if much of Congress gets its way. Right now the "AIPAC" letter is being circulated that will pressure Obama to not disagree publicly with Israel, to not put any real pressure on Israel. This is a strategy to hurt the chances of any peace, to continue the the very dangerous status quo.
It's time to put the pressure on Israel. Support an end to military aid to Israel as it continues the illegal occupation of Palestinian land and the brutal and deadly siege of Gaza. Sign this letter. Say yes to the Chance for Peace.