From what I understand, the building that was announced in Israel while Biden was out there isn't where it's made out to be. It sounds like a right wing Israeli politician announced them in a way to score political points while Biden was there, and everyone involved in the Palestinian side likes to pretend all Israeli buildings are built directly on top of Muslim gravesites. Not surprising there would be some fuss, but what's surprising is that everyone, including the President, seems to be leaning into this folly with gusto.
Obama is racking up a history of snubbing prime ministers, but it just seems a little silly to put the screws to this particular one, though I suppose Netanyahu's track record of caving to Clinton might make Obama assume he'll crack again this time around.
Perhaps, but Obama is in a weaker political position than Clinton was, and, in my opinion, Obama's action sends a pretty simple message to Israel: you are going to get treated badly no matter what you do, so you might as well do what you want.
We are still, rather stupidly, trying to tell the Middle East what to do. Thing is, the folks living there actually have to put with the results. I hope these lunatic foreign policy moves push Israel into making it very obvious American attempts at controlling the Middle East are a waste of time.
No comments:
Post a Comment