The ground is slowly shifting under US/Israel relations. Following last week's diplomatic drama wherein Israel announced, during Vice President Biden's visit, that it would build 1600 new housing units in Occupied East Jerusalem:
Biden condemned the proposed construction and allegedly said that Israel's actions were endangering US troops, the White House condemned the proposed construction and the insult to Biden, Secretary of State Clinton condemned the proposed construction, the insult to Biden, and the insult to the American people. And finally, a January report was leaked exposing General Petraeus' assessment that the failure to resolve the Israel/Palestine conflict and the perception that the US favors Israel has weakened our position in the Middle East and poses a threat to our interests in the region.
Many are cynical that all this is a tempest in a teapot and that the episode is over. However, events continue to unfold:
The ADL Attacked Petraeus - No surprise here.
Berkeley Student Senate Passes Divestment Resolution - Baby steps, but for the first time in UC-Berkeley history, the student senate passed a resolution calling for divestment from two US companies in response to Cast Lead and the continuing occupation of Palestinian land.
George Mitchell Cancels Trip to Israel - Mr. Mitchell said there was no longer any time to meet with Shimon Peres in Israel before the Quartet meeting in Moscow, where:
Quartet Blasts Israel Over East Jerusalem Settlements - In addition, "The quartet expected that talks between Israelis and Palestinians should lead to a negotiated settlement that 'within 24 months' ends the occupation of Palestinian territories begun in 1967. The settlement should result 'in the emergence of an independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbours.'"
Percent of Americans Who Consider Israel to be an Ally Drops - Last August, 70% of American voters rated Israel as an ally. Today that number is 58%. Another 32% rated Israel to be somewhere between an ally and an enemy. In addition, 49% think Israel should stop building settlements.
China tells Israel to Stop Settlement Plan - Whatever the future is for Israel and China's strengthening ties, for right now, China has told Israel to knock it off. Maybe China's interested in an uninterrupted supply of energy.
US Department of Justice Asked to Regulate AIPAC as a Foreign Agent of the Israeli Government - This has been attempted before, when the Kennedy DOJ ordered the American Zionist Council (as the arm of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the United States) to register as a foreign agent. That's when the AZC made structural changes and then reconstituted into AIPAC. Today's briefing was filed by the Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy.
CNN viewers and Jack Cafferty say "Get Tough on Israel." Wolf Blitzer Nearly Plotzes:
Your thoughts?