White House blasts Netanyahu, infers reversal of U.S. support in the U.N.’s Security Council

In early March, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – in defiance of President Obama’s wishes – stood before a joint meeting of the United States Congress.

 

There, in full view of America and of the world, he delivered an impassioned plea outlining what he considered serious flaws with the in-progress terms and conditions of negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the U.S. concerning Iran’s march towards building a nuclear arsenal.

His speech quickly drew a searing blast of disapproval from the White House, and was characterized by the media as a ploy to win re-election in a nail-biting contest where Netanyahu was reportedly trailing his opponent, Isaac Herzog.

According to media reports, Herzog was thought to have been the favorite of the White House:  He was presumed to be far more pliable to the wishes of the Obama Administration’s push to convince Israel to relinquish territory that it occupied after the 1967 war.

 

However, Netanyahu’s unexpected come-from-behind electoral victory upset 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue’s apple cart.  His win was quickly followed by a second White House burst of disapproval even more intense than the first:

 

Netanyahu was accused of flipping his position concerning his alleged reversal about the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. He was criticized for his comments of Israeli Arabs “flocking” to the polls, and was accused of forming a last-minute alliance with hard-right Israeli political groups.

Barack Obama has consistently insisted that Israel revert to the borders that existed before the 1967 six-day war with Egypt, Jordan and Syria.

 

Nonetheless, Netanyahu has just as consistently maintained that Israel would not do that without iron-clad conditions to guarantee its security.  He recently said that he sees none of those now on the horizon.

What Netanyahu does see in the proposed Iranian deal which he so fiercely criticized is a largely one-sided, unverifiable agreement that will eliminate sanctions upon Iran, and facilitate the rise of an aggressive nuclear regime determined “to wipe Israel off the map.”

The security of any nation’s own citizens is at the apex of its responsibilities.  Without security you have nothing – not the basics of life – nothing.  This fundamental, existential premise is well-understood and internalized by the Israeli prime minister.

Israel is bounded to the north by Lebanon which is controlled by a militant Hezbollah.  To its northeast rise the Golan Heights, territory captured from Syria during the six-day 1967 war and annexed by Israel in 1981.

Staunch U.S. Ally, leader and visionary – prophet in his own time, yet ignored by the White House

Netanyahu looks up at the gallery in honor of Elie Wiesel. (Bergeron Screen Shot)

Tuesday morning, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, delivered an address to a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress.

He expressed his deep reservations about the nature and risks of a nuclear agreement being negotiated between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States by Secretary of State John Kerry on behalf of President Barack Obama.

These talks are aimed at slowing – not halting – Iran’s march towards the development, acquisition and stockpiling of nuclear weapons, a goal that Iran’s leadership steadfastly maintains it has the right to do.

After carefully listening to Netanyahu’s message in its entirety and to his firm objections to the terms and conditions which he outlined as being at the core of the negotiations underway, I am able to confidently summarize our president’s offer to Iran in two short paragraphs:

Commemorating what we Shouldn’t Forget

The 9/11 memorial at Harry Dunham Park (Photo/R. Bergeron)

During his recent visit to the nation’s Capital, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu impressed me a great deal.  There is in this man a core of stability, determination, consistency and integrity which cannot be ignored. 

The U.S. Congress, it seems, must share similar sentiments because, in a joint meeting of the House and Senate this week, he united Democrats and Republicans, as, on one point after another, they rose from their seats and enthusiastically punctuated his statements with applause and admiration – a gesture seldom expressed by that group with such frequency, especially for a visiting foreign dignitary.

I couldn’t listen to Netanyahu’s address without noting the unpretentiousness with which he speaks, and with the forcefulness by which he underscores his laser-like intent, which is to preserve the continued existence of Israel.

Netanyahu, a Staunch World Leader

Wednesday evening, I took the time to listen to an interview of Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, by Larry King on CNN. I admire Netanyahu for the love which he has for his country and for his unqualified determination to ensure its survival in one of the world’s most incendiary regions.

His style and character remind me of great American leaders who, though different in personality, have guided us through hard times by marshalling our determination, courage, and willpower.

Below are a few of Netanyahu’s thoughts from the interview. They are self-explanatory and easily digestible. I remember him saying:

“Courage is the quality that supersedes all others.” Another was, “There is a difference between understanding [a problem] and effective action.” A book could be written on either of those.

In reference to the worldwide struggle to blunt the excesses of violent Jihad, he characterized the current conflict as one between “The forces of Medievalism and the forces of Modernity.”

When Larry King asked the man how he could possibly find time to relax with such a pressure-cooker job, this was Netanyahu’s reply: In Israel, everybody gets a day off – the Sabbath – and, he went on to explain, one of the best times of that day is the hour and a half which he spends with his son reading and discussing the Bible.

This man is purposeful, deliberate, and resolute – one who is much better to have as a friend than as a foe.

NOTE:  Photo by Fanpix.net