Minor Victory

I know some(one) would like me to give my analysis of yesterday’s Moetzet Yesha Rally, but I was deep in the West Bank last night doing something else, so I’ll have to leave that to Jameel to write.

It was just over a month ago that Obama appointed Special Envoy to Mandatory Palestine George Mitchell announced at a State Department Press conference that Obama would be announcing His comprehensive Peace Plan in July.

And based on statements coming out of the White House and State Department, His vision certainly isn’t going to be a good one for Israel.

But during this past month the Obama administration faced setbacks as His vision hit the roadblocks of reality (sort of like His Health Care plan hitting fiscal reality).

Unfortunately, the major setbacks didn’t really come from Israel. They didn’t really come from Netanyahu.

True, Bibi showed he was a more experienced politician than Obama. Bibi showed he won’t bend too quickly.

But Bibi also showed that the 900 pound US gorilla does have the strength to move him around.

So far Bibi’s holding his ground and trying to keep the status quo and agreements reached with previous US administrations. But Israel didn’t vote Right to keep the status quo, we want positive actions on the ground.

Of course it doesn’t help when His administration is willing to Lie about previous agreements and understandings, in order to change the rules of the game.

It’s not as if there are any friends in the White House anymore.

Bibi's got a tough job (and hopefully a strong Likud making sure he holds his (our) ground).

And I will admit, the Arab States certainly have it easy.

They’ve got a US President completely sympathetic to their worldview and their version of the global (and regional) historical narrative. He’s not really making demands on them, or threatening them (not event the backhanded threats being heard so often against Israel).

So it’s easy for them to say no and take an even more uncompromising stance.

And that’s actually why the reports are leaking out that His Peace Plan has been delayed.

Obama was (unsurprisingly) unable to find any Arab states willing to compromise on their positions (which ultimately involve the end of Israel).

So they forced him to delay His announcement (talk about shooting yourself in the foot).

Now talk has it that Obama is pushing to get Syria heavily involved, and we all know what Syria’s price is (and what we will actually get in return – bupkiss).

Certainly from Obama’s viewpoint, there is no difference between Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem liberated in 1967, than there is the Golan Heights– and He’s already made it clear where he stands on the first three.

The delayed announcement is a minor victory, but it originated from Arab intransigence, not Israeli strength.




Tisha B'Av evening Wednesday, July 29 - join the Women in Green as they March around the Walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. But first the reading of Eichah will take place in front of the US Consulate on Agron Street at 8:00pm.

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד