The Three Issues That Could Torpedo Obama's Visit To Israel

[Purveyor]

During President Obama’s upcoming visit to Israel, the reactions of the average American will range from mild interest to indifference. Most Americans are not very concerned about foreign policy. Still, they have good feelings about Israel and will likely see the trip positively.

American Jews, of course, will follow the visit closely, even if they are unsure about tangible results. Committed to Israel’s well-being and proud that their president is devoting time to the Jewish State, they will be happy with an outcome that involves the usual platitudes about reaffirming shared interests and values.

What could possibly go wrong? A number of things.

First, the issue of Jonathan Pollard could assume outsized importance.

The release of Pollard is a deeply emotional matter for most Israelis. And most American Jews—myself included—share the view that Pollard has suffered enough. But the plight of an American Jew who spied for Israel does not play well with the American public; during the presidential campaign, both candidates avoided public references to Pollard. The last thing that anyone wants is for the Pollard case to dominate press coverage and to crowd out all other issues.

MORE...

http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/the-three-issues-that-could-torpedo-obama-s-visit-to-israel.premium-1.508969

[Demo_Chris]

1. Subscribers only...

[Purveyor]

2. Registration is free and simple for up to 10 articles a month. Haaretz is regularly posted on this

forum even with these restrictions.

[Paul E Ester]

3. With most all newspaper sites if you search on the title in google

and click the link from the google results page you will see the article without logging in or above the article limit. It's a pain to do but will get you over the 10 or 15 articles they let you see for free.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDYQqQIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.haaretz.com%2Fopinion%2Fthe-three-issues-that-could-torpedo-obama-s-visit-to-israel.premium-1.508969&ei=cgJAUayOJ4bJyAGvr4HQAw&usg=AFQjCNFKMJ7mgTOwrCRGDIV9u-xuqnC6EA

[Demo_Chris]

4. Crafty! Thanks :)

[Paul E Ester]

5. Reading about the potential scolding from Netanyahu I'm curious what props he'll use to illustrate

his points.




http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/events/netanyahus-cartoon-bomb/photos

I wish President Obama a safe and successful trip, whatever that would be.

[kelliekat44]

6. Personally, I think he just skip this visit and tend to the economic woes of this country. until we

get a better picture of our own economic situation, all foreign visits should be off the table.