A video of the Israeli Prime Minister has recently leaked out, in it he apparently makes the statement that
in a discussion about circumventing the Oslo accords (an agreement based upon mutual recognition by Israel and the PLO in return for withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and West Bank + Setting up Palestine as a functioning state).
This throws up interesting implications as to how Israel truly regards America, an actual ally or a useful idiot? As well as to how treaties can be made to stick in such regions when they are made in such bad faith.
Does anybody think that this video will make a difference in American perception on Netanyahu or Israel itself, or even if it will get play in US/European/Israeli media?
Is there anything in our history that suggests Netanyahu’s perception isn’t true? I mean, have we ever laid down the law with Israel – as in: stop the settlement expansion, or we won’t be your BFF anymore? For all that the U.S. grumbles occasionally about particular pieces of Israeli behavior, it’s pretty much the case that when Israel tells us to jump, we respond: “How high?”
Thats true, its always important to separate the actions of leaders from the desires of their people. But then the unanswered question is how entrenched is this view within the Israeli establishment and if America should adjust its Middle East policy in the face of that.
I’d guess someone is going to bring up the concept that Countries have “Interests, not friends” but then does Israel have a leg to stand upon if the US decides to pull its significant military aid from Israel?
Well sure, but the OP is stating it as if this was a new release
So old Bibi in 2001, when he’s not even in office, is mouthing off on camera. Meanwhile Ariel Sharon (of all people) gets around to leaving Gaza in 2005.
It might be of note if it was something he was saying in the last several weeks, as an elected leader dealing with the current administration. But as a man out of power, playing to his base, apprising what he expected the Bush administration would be like in its early days? Not so newsworthy or meaningful.
I suspect that he’s singing a bit of a different melody lately.
To answer that op, I do not believe that that view is entrenched in Israel today or that even Bibi still holds it. I think that Bibi is very aware that America’s support is much less unquestioning than it has been in the past and that even segments of American Jewery that are usually steadfast are getting frustrated with particular boneheaded actions. That’s why he risked tearing apart his coalition rather than risk pissing off American Reform and Conservative Jews in the recent conversion bill idiocy. Last year this time he may have still held those beliefs expressed back in 2001; now I think he’s a bit less cocky.
Sure, I’m sorry if I made this sound like it was a recent event, that wasn’t my intention - In my defence both the links I included do point out that the recording took place in 2001.
As to the it happened a long time ago and he was out of power - do you believe that the substance of his views have changed since then? Or will he simply be more circumspect when in office.
Oh and I was wondering if any Hebrew (Yiddish?) speaking people in this thread have watched the video? Is the translation at the bottom reasonably accurate?