Obama calls U.S-Israel bond 'eternal'

[michigandem58]

Source: LA Times

Opening his first presidential visit to the nation's closest Mideast ally, President Obama declared Wednesday that "peace must come to the Holy Land" during a red carpet arrival ceremony with Israeli leaders.

In remarks after landing at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Obama described the U.S.-Israeli bond as “eternal,” the apparent theme of the three-day trip. The words "unbreakable alliance" are emblazoned on official signs, shirts, flyers and mugs all over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Obama’s trip, the first foreign visit of his second term, is aimed at mending a fraught relationship with Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and reassuring nervous Israelis that Obama is committed to their security.


Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-obama-us-israel-bond-20130320,0,7813773.story

[geek tragedy]

1. The leader of a nation of 300 million kissing the ass

of a nation with 8 million people.

Pathetic.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

5. Be careful. You don't want to be labeled a hater.

[geek tragedy]

6. I don't hate. We should have relations with Israel

like we have with Australia or Iceland. But, apparently that's not good enough.

[Nye Bevan]

12. Good diplomatic relations is now "ass-kissing"?

[geek tragedy]

13. We have good diplomatic relations with Australia and Costa Rica.

We have a common law marriage with Israel.

[Nye Bevan]

14. And I don't see the problem. Surely it's better than hatred and hostility? (nt)

[geek tragedy]

15. Nation states are supposed to have interests, not love affairs.

It's not healthy to have US policy in the MidEast driven by emotional affinity to Israel amongst our political class.

[Nye Bevan]

16. I wouldn't accuse President Obama of allowing "emotional affinity" to drive his policies.

I think he is simply practicing good, smart diplomacy.

[geek tragedy]

18. Good smart diplomacy would be favoring relations

with 300 million plus who have oil rather than fewer than 8 million who don't.

Instead, we willfully alienate the entire Arab world to be Israel's BFF.

[xtraxritical]

20. I'm with you geek. We gave them the N bomb and give them billions in foreign aid every year.

Get them off the taxpayers teat.

[oberliner]

21. We gave them the N bomb?

When did we do that?

[xtraxritical]

25. You got Google and Bing do your own homework.

[oberliner]

27. "Google and Bing" ?

You made a statement that is obviously factually wrong.

The US did not give Israel the N bomb.

I encourage you to "do your own homework".

[shaayecanaan]

31. Israel actually stole its first bomb from the US...

Israel managed to steal enough weapons grade uranium from a stockpile in Pennsylvania during the 1960s to build its first nuclear device.

Quite a story, actually. Its a pity the media doesnt cover this stuff.

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-explosive-story-of-how-israel-received-weapons-grade-nuclear-material-from-a-us-company-in-the-sixties-2012-8

[Sunlei]

39. how many have they used?

[shaayecanaan]

42. There was a suspected nuclear test in the Southern ocean

regarded as having been carried out jointly by South Africa and Israel:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vela_Incident

Other than that, of course, they havent "used" any.

[hack89]

47. Actually it was first the French and then the British

that help build the Israel nuclear capability.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapons_and_Israel#Pre-Dimona_1949.E2.80.931956

[dipsydoodle]

2. How sweet

[darkangel218]

3. ....

I didn't expect any less than that.

[Ash_F]

4. Unless the Arab spring results in a bunch of pro-US governments.

In which case, their lack of oil might leave them forgotten.

[Caeser67]

7. So I Guess Apartheid Is Ok Now..................

I'm sure the conversations went like this: Everybody. More Money, More Arms, More Joint Training Exercises, More Patriot Missiles, Ask No Questions of our treatment of the Palestinians, I really thought that was you in that History Channel Movie, Where's Joe Lieberman.

It's time we dealt with this Country the same as we deal with all others, equally.


RIP: Rachel Corrie

[Generation_Why]

8. I'm not Pro-Israel, but it's bad diplomacy to oppose Israel as POTUS...

And I'd act accordingly if I were in President Obama's shoes.

Diplomacy is all just smoke and mirrors, anyway. And a necessary part of the game.

Don't hold leaders to higher standards than you hold yourselves.

[geek tragedy]

9. It's terrible diplomacy. It's smart domestic politics.

And American voters who are insistent on this love affair with Israel are far more important to US presidents than Israel itself is.

[John2]

11. Bad Diplomacy for

whom, Israel, the United States or the Arabs? It is bad Diplomacy to be seen as bias towards either side. You would be more respected if your Policies are more just or people will see you as a fraud. Israel cannot humble this country. And I will even argue, Israel's very existence came about and depends on this country.

They do not have the resources out of a population of 11 million people to sustain the military weapons they have acquired. And nearly half of Israel's population are Arabs. If they were truly an open Democracy, their current population would be grossly in danger of being outnumbered, so they live within closed borders. You also have a number of them with dual citizenship in other countries. My descendants came from Africa but my allegiance is to the United States only. And that is the way it should be.

[John2]

10. He is only

the President of the United States, not King or God. The U.S. is a country of 315 million people that will soon eclipse over 400 million. The primary responsibility for the United States is to its people and not that of any other country. And when his term is up, he will have no say in Foreign Policy except as just another U.S. citizen. What he said was not in our Constitution or what any other U.S. politician declares. What he states is what I see as the bias in our current Foreign policy and good reasons for Israel's enemies to increase their Arm Forces. We pose ourselves as the threat instead of the mediator in the Middle East. It is one of the reasons we are being attacked.

We go back to this issue based on religion again. President Obama is a Christian and makes my point. He is making bias decisions based on his religion. The same way he did with gay marriage initially. There were people on the land before there was any nation appeared called Israel. Should we give preference to them also? So if he wants to use history to make his claims, then maybe he should use all of history. And the Israel he speaks of, disappeared from the map. The current Israel did not appear until after World War II. While he continues to talk about Iran getting one nuclear weapon, the same country that he makes pledges to maybe hoarding hundreds of nuclear weapons. And at the same time, he is open to discussing releasing a person allowing them to obtain such capability. Does he think people cannot think or reason for themselves? Even though he completed Law school, his thinking is flawed.

[kelliekat44]

17. There really is nothing useful that can be said here or any where in public about this issue. It's

sad that we condone or at least ignore what the Israelis have done, are doing, and will continue to do to the Palestinian people without so much as harsh word from the US government. It is just so sad. We could say and do more about Apartheid in S. Africa than we can say or do about it in the Palestinian territories. Sad, just sad.

[snooper2]

19. oh jesus president you are fucking killing me here...

[Douglas Carpenter]

22. would ANY president EVER use the words "eternal bond" if they were referring to say for example;

Canada? or perhaps the United Kingdom? or perhaps the Republic of Ireland? or perhaps Australia? or perhaps the Republic of South Africa? or perhaps the Netherlands? or perhaps Italy? or perhaps Belgium? or perhaps Sweden? or perhaps Denmark? or perhaps Norway? or perhaps Switzerland? or perhaps Finland? or perhaps Poland?

Are there not far more Americans who feel closer to Canada, Australia, Ireland or the U.K than with the State of Israel? Does not American society have considerably more in common with Canada, Australia, Ireland or the U.K than with the State of Israel?

Are there ANY nation-states that the President of the United State could EVER be imagined using the phrase "eternal bond" to describe our relationship except of course when talking about the Israeli state?

[oberliner]

32. President Clinton with respect to Germany, 1996

See the post excerpted below.

[Douglas Carpenter]

23. What does the phrase, "eternal bond" mean? Does it mean "support for Israel no matter what?"

I am unaware of any American president ever using such words - at least in modern times in regards to any other American ally. Nor can I imagine any American president, Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative using the words "eternal bond" to describe our relationship with any other state. - But, I can easily imagine any American president - Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative - using the words "eternal bond" in regards to the Israeli state. - Does this mean that our fundamental support for the state of Israel is unlike our diplomatic support for any other state where our diplomatic support is dependent on continued mutual interest and dependent upon the actions of that other state? Does "eternal bond" mean that unlike our support for any other state - we are unconditionally pledged to continue supporting the state of Israel, no matter what?

[oberliner]

26. Barack Obama: UK-US alliance one of the greatest ever known

The president said: "We meet to reaffirm one of the greatest alliances the world has ever known.

"It is remarkable to consider that down the decades we have seen nations rise and fall, wars fought and peace defended, a city divided, a wall come down, countries imprisoned behind an Iron Curtain, then liberated. We have seen the demise of the cold war and the transition from an industrial revolution to an information age. Our world has been transformed over and over and will be again.

"Yet through the grand sweep of history, through all its twists and turns, there is one constant: the rock-solid alliance behind the US and the UK. The reason is simple. We stand together and we work together and we bleed together and we fall together in good times and bad, because when we feel our nations are secure, our people are more prosperous, the world is a safer and better and more just place.

"Our alliance is essential: it is indispensable for the security and prosperity not only for our own citizens but for people around the world. That is why, as president, I made strengthening this alliance and other alliances around the world one of my highest foreign policy priorities. I can stand here today and say with pride and confidence – and I believe with David's agreement – that the relationship between the US and the UK is the strongest it has ever been."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/14/barack-obama-uk-us-alliance

[Douglas Carpenter]

29. eternal bonds - has a very different connotation than reflecting on a history of a strong alliance

One reflects on the past and to an extent on the current. The other implies immutability for perpetuity no matter what the actions of the other or the interest of either - now and forever.

[oberliner]

30. American president Clinton visits Berlin (1996)

From the Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of a divided Europe, Mr. Clinton faced east in celebration and told some 50,000 Berliners who thronged Pariser Platz that he rejoiced with them that "Berlin ist frei!"

Coming nearly five years after the Berlin wall fell, this visit of a United States President seemed belated to many. But Mr. Clinton accommodated with exuberance. With American and German flags presenting a forest of color behind him, the President followed his idol, John F. Kennedy, in using the German language to proclaim an eternal bond.

"Amerika steht an Ihrer Seite, jetzt und fur immer," he declared, promising that "America stands on your side, now and forever."

http://www.germanculture.com.ua/july/july12.htm

[Douglas Carpenter]

33. Germany was not at that time engaged in flaunting international law and flaunting the will of the

international community. When the President of the United States talks of a bond that is eternal with a state that is flaunting international law and flaunting the will of the international community - the message can only be interpreted as an assurance that the flaunting of international law and the flaunting of the will of the international community is not of major concern to the United States. I can easily imagine any president of recent years feeling the domestic pressure to say such things. But such words - however political advantageous for domestic consumption only encourage intransigence and lessen whatever remote possibility remains for a peace settlement at any time in the foreseeable future.

[oberliner]

43. That was not your previous claim

Your previous claim was that no American president would speak of an eternal bond between the US and a country other than Israel.

Provided is an example of President Clinton doing just that with respect to Germany.

[Douglas Carpenter]

44. and you really had to search and search to find even one and the context was entirely different

[onenote]

48. and you're stretching to find a distinction you didn't include in your original statement

[Doctor_J]

24. Like herpes

[fujiyama]

28. Nothing new here. Let's face it, the US-Israeli relationship has always been

unique. Much of it is historical and strategic. But a large part is cultural as well. For Americans (and for many years Europeans as well), saw Israel as the one country similar to us - made largely of Europeans and having a parliamentary system of government. Obviously with changing internal demographics and Israel's increasing military strength the perceptions changed in Europe. Israel went from being the lone bullied nation, to the bully - the occupier, especially since '67. I think a large part of our support, aside from the great influence of organizations like AIPAC, is because the US is still much more religious than Europe. Aside from the Jewish electorate which by itself is small (but successful and influential in policy matters) - there is the Christian right, which has taken up much of the pro-Israeli cause in recent years.

What I find most troublesome about this is that criticism of Israel and our relationship with her has become a virtual third rail in politics (witness the hot water Hagel's comments got him in nearly sinking his nomination). I have no problem with the US remaining an ally of the country (and whether I did or not is irrelevant, as they will continue to be seen as an ally by the US) - and find some of Israel's security concerns very understandable. What I do have a problem with is them continuing to accept billions yearly in military aid and show no progress - if not outright contempt - in making an effort towards peace. Instead we see the country building more settlements in the West Bank, and an itch to bomb Iran.

This relationship as it stands may be eternal, but certainly isn't healthy. To Obama's credit, he has tried to convince Israel that its actions are ultimately self destructive, but this has merely brought about ridiculous attacks, both at home and in Israel. I wish the administration would use more of a carrot and stick approach, as Bush Sr. tried but I don't see anything similar happening. Israel's influence is greater now than it was in the late '80s/early '90s.

[blkmusclmachine]

34. Gawd's in the mix.

[Sunlei]

35. We do have an eternal bond because if they get destroyed, our country is next in line.

[Ash_F]

36. Ah yes...the bond of irrational fear.

That's a strong one. How many countries have invaded the US, vs been invaded by it?

[Sunlei]

37. who's afraid? If Israel wasn't a Jewish nation but another religion, would they mean more to you?

[Ash_F]

38. You are: "our country is next in line."

[Sunlei]

40. nope, if some middle east country starts doing more than just 'threaten nukes' at Israel

America will smash them into dust first. I expect nothing less. Even if additional attacks start coming in from our 'neighbors' to the south and china ramps-up the cyber-takedown they have been preping for.

[Ash_F]

41. You changed your mind within one post?

Impressive.

[Sunlei]

45. I think we're on a different page dude?

I am firmly for backing Israel 100%.

[Ash_F]

46. You said our country is next in line to be destoryed

1) That's completely crazy and only something people ruled by fear and propaganda say.
2) Then you apparently realized that and walked that back in the very next post.

Nobody is going the going to destroy America, except maybe America. This doesn't have anything to do with Israel.

[Doctor_J]

49. Like Viet Nam in the 60's?

The Domino Theory for the New Millenium?

[daleo]

50. "Love You Forever" was a nice kid's book

It doesn't apply to foreign relations. Everyone knows that. This is just a bit of amiable hogwash.

In fact, when one party in a relationship makes these sorts of eternal declarations, it is not always a good sign of the long-term strength of the relationship.