Can someone tell me what kind of pressure Mr Obama could and should apply?
And why exactly would Israel defer to the request?
Because it’s quite unclear to me.
Haven’t people already done that? I know I did.
I’ll post it again: The US should, certainly, make it clear that we’ll cut off the spigot if there is any new construction of the settlements, at all.
Because the economic costs of a loss of US aid/loans is not balanced out by expanding in the West Bank.
Whether or not Israel would defer is another matter, as they’re a sovereign nation after all. But it’s a very good bit of leverage on our part.
And of course there are gradations in how much the spigot is turned and a host of other tools in a diplomatic tool box.
Why would Israel care? Besides actual support? Because Israel has really only the US as a reliable friend, protecting it from total isolation and providing it support in the international community. It does not want to strain that friendship very far. The US does not have absolute control over Israel and Israel would be very willing to ignore US wishes if leadership strongly felt that its security was seriously placed at risk by a request (or that they would lose their jobs by complying). It’s no US sock puppet. But be seriously influenced by US diplomatic pressure? Oh yes.
Gawd! What has happened here?!? Finn and I (both so often accused of being part of the all-inclusive always support Israel who can never do anything wrong conspiracy) arguing for possibly cutting down American monetary support of Israel if that is what it takes to get Israel to do that which needs to be done?
Enjoy the moment man! 
No no.
You’re part of the all-inclusive always support Israel who can never do anything wrong conspiracy.
I’m part of the all-inclusive sacrifice America and American lives for the nefarious purpose of helping the perfidious Global Jews. I just attend your conspiracy’s meetings because they have really awesome ruggalach.
Your decoder ring should clear all that up.
They are awfully yummy!
Honestly, I don’t believe for an instant that Obama would threaten to do that, barring extraordinary circumstances.
I’m sure that economically, it would note make sense. But I’m also pretty sure that Israel will be perfectly willing to bear the cost, if its government thinks it’s in its best interest.
I don’t believe for an instant that Israel will let a foreign country dictate, or even simply significantly influence, its policies regarding Palestine, whatever the cost.
I think that the USA has much less leverage wrt Israel that some posters seem to believe. Of course, I can’t provide a cite.
That depends on what they say when we ask them about it.
And I prefer “religiously non-aligned”.
Well, when you et right down to it, we’re all just jerking off…
The US gives Israel billions in taxpayer dollars each year. I would say that gives us some leverage.
And Israel should do it beause–well maybe–it opens up a path to peace.
And yet not only does nearly everyone see it that way, they accuse those who try to take a balanced approach of being in cahoots with the bad guys.
Israel can go without, and the USA won’t cut the tap, anyway.
If the Israeli government thinks so, there’s no need for pressure, is there? And my contention is that if it doesn’t think so, the pressures will be ignored, and that Israel won’t go further than symbolic gestures to appease the USA.
You can sometimes convince a friend to not drive drunk. Sometimes all it takes is a gentle taking away the car keys and there is no real fight involved, because even though he protest some, he still knows that you’re right. He just needed you to tell him, firmly.
Sure the friend might grab the keys back and angrily go out and squeal away. But you would be remiss in not at least trying.
You know, it’s perfectly plausible that God created us to fight for His amusement.
Well… I don’t believe much in “friends” in international relationships. I believe in common interests and sometimes common values. That’s a matter of vital importance for Israel. Friend’s opinions don’t weight much in such a situation.
IMO, on Israel’s side, the issue is entirely in the hands of Israel’s public opinion. The most the USA could do would be helping if and when a valid peace plan is proposed. It’s different on the Palestinian side, because basically Palestinians are helpless. Many actors could influence or pressure them one way or another.
Of course, the USA could “takes the keys” out of principle(*), but again I don’t think it will have any consequence besides lip service and symbolic gestures.
(*)And I think that if western countries where occasionally acting out of principle, we would be way better off, because otherwise it always end up biting us in the ass 20-30 years later, the middle east being a prime example of it.
Just to add : a symbolic gesture might include the removal of some minor settlements, or a stop to the extension of some others. What I mean is that nothing drastic if going to happen as a result of foreign pressures.
I’m not sure that you meant to use the word “appease,” but I do agree with what you literally said.
That’s all well and good, but in their book one infidel is no different from another.
Yes, yes, I do love you.
The government leaders may believe that removing settlements is a way to peace but there are too many settlers who don’t want to give up their houses for peace. It’s possible that putting financial pressure on the Israeli government would tip them enough to do something about the settlements.
I’m just saying, “we oughta”. You right in that what will happen is more of the same, and if the people over there don’t have a problem with it, then why should I?
There is opposition in Israel to removing settlements for a lot more reasons than they don’t think it will lead to peace. And right now they’re focused on the Gaza operation and it’s in the immediate near future that the carrot should be deployed. The reason I’m saying that the Obama Administration should take the lead is that it might increase the chances of it happening, but also because pressuring Israel could shore up our reputation as an honest broker (even if they have to make a show of Israelis caving in to the US). And it might even political cover for Israeli politicians who support the plan.