Weekly Commentary: Difficult choices for Netanyahu - Obama meeting
Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 29 April 2009
Should Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu gloss over the very significant
differences between the faith-based ideological position espoused by
President Obama that a sovereign Palestinian state is the absolute only
possible "solution" to the Arab Israeli conflict and Netanyahu's mature
realistic stand that a sovereign Palestinian state would be a "problem"
rather than a solution?
It's not simple.
Many argue that genuflecting and joining in the recitation of the "sovereign
Palestinian state - two state solution" mantra isn't really a big deal
since, after all, Israel can rely on negotiations never actually being
completed. And this with the hope that the failure is over stumbling points
that can be blamed on the Palestinians.
It's certainly tempting.
You can give Obama his photo op as he takes credit for finally getting
Netanyahu to say the magic words and leave the White House with smiles all
around.
Or you can say something very oblique that leaves those who profess the "two
state" religion" thinking that you have joined the flock while a careful
reading of the remarks could support contending conclusions.
Or you could make it clear that you know that a truly sovereign Palestinian
state would be a terribly horrible mistake for Israel, the region and the
world.
It's not an easy choice.
Netanyahu, of course, isn't walking cold into the White House.
Next week Netanyahu's team will be in Washington to feel out the situation.
But one thing should be kept in mind:
There is a chance that President Obama will be sitting in the White House
for almost eight more years.
And while starting the relationship with some variation of the colder "agree
to disagree" may appear to be the less desirable option, there is certainly
the danger that following another path - while buying some time - can
ultimately lead to an unpleasant relationship between the two leaders if
President Obama feels Netanyahu the apostate deceived him when he appeared
to profess the "two state" faith.
Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il
Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 29 April 2009
Should Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu gloss over the very significant
differences between the faith-based ideological position espoused by
President Obama that a sovereign Palestinian state is the absolute only
possible "solution" to the Arab Israeli conflict and Netanyahu's mature
realistic stand that a sovereign Palestinian state would be a "problem"
rather than a solution?
It's not simple.
Many argue that genuflecting and joining in the recitation of the "sovereign
Palestinian state - two state solution" mantra isn't really a big deal
since, after all, Israel can rely on negotiations never actually being
completed. And this with the hope that the failure is over stumbling points
that can be blamed on the Palestinians.
It's certainly tempting.
You can give Obama his photo op as he takes credit for finally getting
Netanyahu to say the magic words and leave the White House with smiles all
around.
Or you can say something very oblique that leaves those who profess the "two
state" religion" thinking that you have joined the flock while a careful
reading of the remarks could support contending conclusions.
Or you could make it clear that you know that a truly sovereign Palestinian
state would be a terribly horrible mistake for Israel, the region and the
world.
It's not an easy choice.
Netanyahu, of course, isn't walking cold into the White House.
Next week Netanyahu's team will be in Washington to feel out the situation.
But one thing should be kept in mind:
There is a chance that President Obama will be sitting in the White House
for almost eight more years.
And while starting the relationship with some variation of the colder "agree
to disagree" may appear to be the less desirable option, there is certainly
the danger that following another path - while buying some time - can
ultimately lead to an unpleasant relationship between the two leaders if
President Obama feels Netanyahu the apostate deceived him when he appeared
to profess the "two state" faith.
Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il
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