So, if the Israel lobby is so strong, how is it that the Arabs got Hillary Clinton to back off her praise for Israel not once, but twice? Why did she soften her praise of Netanyahu’s efforts to reach a compromise agreement with the Obama administration on halting construction?
During her meeting with the Israeli leader, Clinton praised his offer on settlements, which would freeze new construction but allow already started projects to continue, as “unprecedented.†She did not, however, push him to adhere to the complete freeze she had insisted upon in the past, causing many in the region to question whether the US had dropped the demand.
Since then Clinton has sought to reassure Arab leaders, repeating the praise for Netanyahu’s offer yesterday but stating clearly that it falls short of US goals. In interviews today with al Jazeera and al Hurra, Clinton has reiterated that message.
Today Clinton tacked on an extra stop to her trip. She’s now in Egypt, a country who, along with Jordan, issued a statement on Sunday in defense of Palestinian efforts after Clinton’s remarks with Netanyahu.
She’s kissing up to all of the Arabs for having the temerity to say that Netanyahu is being reasonable. Conversely, the Palestinians are being unreasonable—but heaven forfend that anyone should actually be truthful about the real obstruction to peace in the Middle East.
Here’s a hint: It ain’t settlements.