A new trend in US-Israel relations?

Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs ^ | April 8 2010 | Dore Gold

[JCPA-JerusalemCenter]

We are in a period in which the U.S.-Israel relationship appears to be in flux, but it is hard for many observers to establish whether the policies of the Obama administration represent a sharp break in U.S. policy toward Israel or a continuation of past U.S. policies. Will military ties between the two countries be affected? According to a charge that has been associated with officers in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Israel's disagreements with the Palestinians, or Israel's construction efforts, have a negative effect on the U.S. military posture in the Middle East, with some reports even going so far as to suggest that they risk the lives of U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Finally, on the basis of past experience, is it likely that the U.S. and Israel will ultimately resolve their differences, or are the present gaps between the two countries so wide that their long-term relationship will change?

[HearMe]

"All of this ignores the posture statements and other testimony given by EUCOM commanders, which actually give Israel a lot of praise. Israel appears as an asset. General Bantz Craddock was the EUCOM commander in 2007 and spoke extensively about Israel in his appearance that year before the House Armed Services Committee. He specifically described Israel as the closest ally of the United States in the Middle East. Moreover, the U.S. ambassador to Israel at the time, Richard Jones, spoke about Israeli research and development on countermeasures against IEDs, those highly lethal roadside bombs used by insurgents that had become the single largest cause of U.S. casualties. Jones disclosed that Israel was helping the United States Army in Iraq in this area. In short, Israeli efforts were saving American lives, and not putting them at risk, as some irresponsible pundits contended."

[C210N]

it is hard for many observers to establish whether the policies of the Obama administration represent a sharp break in U.S. policy toward Israel or a continuation of past U.S. policies...

No, its quite easy. If any one window into regime thinking is desired, consider NASA's new primary objective in reaching out to Muslim nations of the world, and enhancing their esteem.

[17th Miss Regt]

it is hard for many observers to establish whether the policies of the Obama administration represent a sharp break in U.S. policy toward Israel or a continuation of past U.S. policies...

I can't remember the last time any American administration had a policy so hostile to Israel - one that could be summed up as "Juden Raus!"

[Malesherbes]

Obama sat through 20 years of the Rev. Wright’s anti-Semitic, Israel-hating rants. That’s all you need to know about Obama and Israel. Anything else is just commentary.

[HearMe]

I can't remember the last time any American administration had a policy so hostile to Israel - one that could be summed up as "Juden Raus!"

Jimmy Carter. Bush I was also hostile, and going back Eisenhower, but when you hear terms like "occupied" territories and "illegal settlements" that was brought into American policy by Jimmy Carter.

[SJackson]

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