“Enemy: “a person who feels hatred for, fosters harmful designs against, or engages in antagonistic activities against another; an adversary or opponent.” — Dictionary.com
Despite Vice President Joe Biden’s recent pledge of unswerving fidelity to Israel during his recent visit there, the rhetoric and pressure directed by the Obama administration against the only fully functioning democracy in the Middle East more accurately resembles the behavior of an enemy. Increasingly under this administration — but also present in Republican administrations — America’s policy toward Israel is full of “harmful designs” and “antagonistic activities.” The intentions may not be deliberate, but the outcome would lead to the same injurious end.
The latest pretext for putting more pressure on Israel to do more in the “pursuit of peace” comes from a decision by Israel’s Interior Ministry to construct 1,600 new housing units in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo, which is located in “disputed territory.” To the Palestinians and their Arab and Muslim neighbors, most especially Iran and Syria, all of Israel is “disputed territory.” It is difficult to understand why the U.S. State Department thinks not building a few houses is going to dissuade Israel’s enemies from wanting less than they want now.
The failure of this formula has been evident for decades, but U.S. policy continues to employ it, always with the same results. Whether Israel’s concessions have been unilateral — most recently with its abandonment of the Gaza Strip, which predictably led to terrorist attacks from that territory — or negotiated deals which the Palestinians have never lived up to, Israel always ends up getting its pocket picked. Then, the United States, the U.N., Europe and Russia demand that it put more valuables in its pocket so the thieves can continue their thievery.
A Washington Post headline illustrates the deteriorating relationship between the two nations, “U.S. Pushes Netanyahu to Accept 3 Demands.” There is no similar demand that the Palestinians and especially Hamas, which has said it will agree to nothing less than the eradication of Israel, should accept anything, not even the minimal acceptance of Israel’s right to exist. Meanwhile, Hamas has called on Palestinians to launch a third “intifada.”
After apologizing to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the “offense” of the housing announcement during Biden’s visit, Netanyahu reminded the Israeli parliament that Israel has been building in east Jerusalem for four decades. He said, “The building of those Jewish neighborhoods in no way hurt the Arabs of East Jerusalem and did not come at their expense.”
That doesn’t matter when the wrong formula is employed. In this twisted thinking, whatever Israel does is unjustified so long as the Palestinian-Arab-Muslim side is unhappy. What part of annihilation does the State Department not understand? What State is blind to is that the “Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” as it is erroneously labeled, is part of a worldwide religious war against all things Jewish, Christian, secular, modern and Western.
Making demands of only one side before serious negotiations begin, especially on matters of Jerusalem, so-called “refugees” and borders, effectively pressures Israel into making concessions on all three, which would severely damage its prospects for continued existence.
How about first making these demands of the Palestinian-Arab-Muslim side: (1) A pledge of no more war with Israel, or terrorism; 2) a declaration by a powerful Islamic cleric that their God no longer requires them to kill people who don’t believe as they do; and 3) no more teaching in Palestinian textbooks and in their media that Jews created AIDS and descend from monkeys and pigs?
After those three demands are met, the State Department can start making demands of Israel. Not before. Anything less puts America on the wrong side, along with Israel’s (and America’s) enemies. Or hasn’t State noticed that we share the same enemies?
I am an American and want to say that I LOVE ALL my Jewish brothers and sisters and I support Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. There are many of us who do……its just our rotten government that makes America look bad.
Great article! I am a support of Israel and always will be. Does that mean that I will agree with everything that they do, no. Does that mean that they can not make mistakes, no. But I believe that they have a right to live there and not be pushed “into the sea” or “wipe Israel off the map.” Do those that agree with those that oppose Israel agree with their desire to distroy Israel too? Those that want to distroy will DO and SAY ANYTHING to further thier cause. Their ONLY goal is to distroy Israel anyway they can, period.
It is time for the USA to require Islam, to start giving as much to the peace process, as Israel.
God gave the land to Israel. The whimpering Muslims, just have to live with it.
The liberals in DC don’t have a clue as to what they are doing. they are steadily making the USA
a non-entity in the world of influence. They (Obama) are totally impotent.
I know the demands our (America’s) high government officials are dictating to Israel does not, for a fact, reflect the consensus of the American citizens! I think the majority of Americans stand in support of Israel and all of its endeavors to move forward as a nation! I apologize for the arrogant control America’s Pres., V Pres., and Sec. of State and other high official representatives have shown toward Israel. They do not speak for the American people!
To expect Israel, a democratic nation, just as the United States to yield to a hostile Arab produced society of people is wrong.
The demands to follow through for and with peaceful efforts must be required and expected from the people who are called Palestinians.
I know many American citizens who love Israel, pray for Israel, support Israel, and even desire to live in Israel. May Jerusalem experience peace and be allowed to be the nation it is called to be since the days of Abraham!
I know the demands our (America’s) high government officials are dictating to Israel does not reflect the consensus of the American citizens! I think many Americans stand in support of Israel and all of its endeavors to move forward as a nation! I apologize for the arrogant control America’s Pres., V Pres., and Sec. of State and other high official representatives have portrayed toward Israel. I do not think they speak for the American people!
To expect Israel, a democratic nation, just as the United States to yield to a hostile Arab produced society of people is wrong.
The demands to follow through for and with peaceful efforts must be required and expected from the people who are called Palestinians.
I am and I know many American citizens who love Israel, pray for Israel, support Israel, and even desire to live in Israel one day.
May Jerusalem experience peace!
I know the demands our (America’s) high government officials are dictating to Israel does not, for a fact, reflect the consensus of all American citizens! I think the majority of Americans stand in support of Israel and all of its endeavors to move forward as a nation!
To expect Israel, a democratic nation, just as the United States to yield to a hostile Arab produced society of people is wrong. The demands for peaceful efforts should be required and expected from the people called Palestinians.
May Peace be experienced in Jerusalem soon!
Cal Thomas said:After those three demands are met, the State Department can start making demands of Israel. Not before. Anything less puts America on the wrong side, along with Israel’s (and America’s) enemies. Or hasn’t State noticed that we share the same enemies?
Please note the wonderful Saudi’s who are founding building Mosques all across the new Meca (former United States). State just loves our relationship with Omama’s favorite King, what are we to expect from the top on down it’s let’s throw Israel to the wind. Wake up America what happens to Israel happens to the United States eventually.
Please understand that the current US Administration does not represent over 90% of the US population. We are a Christian Nation (despite what Obama says), and we love Israel. What Obama is doing is disgraceful. He will be replaced in 2.5 years with a very conservative administration. I cannot imagine what you are all going through, but remember that we support Israel with all our hearts.
A covenant maded to Abraham & his descendants giving them that land….that means no giving to anyone….I pray for our nation that the President will wake up ..we as a nation need to look at the outcome of this….God will take care of Israel….it’s those who are against them …I fear….prayers & blessings …
As a Christian and an American, I support Isreal and God’s chosen people. My prayers are with you and for you It seems our new Govt. leadership does not understand the average American and his/her values and beliefs; but there are many Americans praying for you.