Jerusalem
Israpundit
[This was written two weeks ago. Ettinger was right. Israel should offer no concession to Obama. He caused the problem. This is the best time to have the showdown. Elections are six months away. Democrats have no stomach for the showdown and Obama will be the loser.]
Ambassador (ret.)Yoram Ettinger, “Second Thought”
Jerusalem Post, March 16, 2010
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s apology to Vice President Biden – for authorizing the construction of Jewish homes in Jerusalem during Biden’s visit – departs sharply from the assertive legacy of all Israeli Prime Ministers from Ben Gurion (1948) to Shamir (1992). It is consistent with the retreating Oslo state of mind, which has afflicted all Prime Ministers since 1993. This apologetic response ignores the significant “Jerusalem Divide” between the dramatically-weakened President Obama on one hand and the majority of the American People and Congress on the other hand.
Moreover, it triggers further pressure by Obama, radicalizes Arab demands, undermines the future of Jerusalem as the indivisible capital of the Jewish State, and erodes Israel’s strategic posture in Washington and in the Middle East. Placating President Obama will certainly not transform his position on Iran from engagement to confrontation and will not produce a Green Light for an Israeli attack on Iran.
In 1949, the US Administration, Europe and the UN exerted brutal pressure on Prime Minister Ben Gurion to accept the internationalization of Jerusalem. Ben Gurion’s response was decisive, in spite of his inferior position militarily, economically, demographically, technologically, diplomatically and politically, compared with today’s Israel. Ben Gurion proclaimed Jerusalem the capital of the Jewish State, relocated government agencies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, expanded housing construction all the way to the ceasefire lines, directed a massive number of Olim (immigrants) to Jerusalem and upgraded the transportation infrastructure to the city.
Ben Gurion’s determination and defiance clarified to the US that Jerusalem was non-negotiable. It accorded Jerusalem the land required for security and development for the next generation. It sent a clear message of credible deterrence and tenacity to Israel’s enemies and friends.
In 1967, the very powerful President Lyndon Johnson and the international community cautioned Prime Minister Eshkol against the reunification of Jerusalem and against any construction beyond the pre-1967 ceasefire lines, lest it severely undermine Israel’s global standing. Eshkol replied firmly by annexing the Old City, the eastern suburbs of Jerusalem and substantial land reserves and building the Ramat Eshkol neighborhood beyond the pre-1967 ceasefire lines. Thus, Eshkol reaffirmed the image of Israel – in Washington - as a dependable US ally on “rainy days.”
In 1970-1, Prime Minister Golda Meir defied the (Secretary of State) Rogers Plan, which was submitted by President Nixon at the height of his popularity. The Plan called for Israel’s retreat to the pre-1967 lines and for the transfer of Jerusalem’s Holy Basin to the auspices of the three leading religions. Defiantly, Prime Minister Meir laid the groundwork for a series of neighborhoods in Jerusalem (beyond the pre-1967 ceasefire lines): Neve’ Ya’akov, Gilo, Ramot Alon and French Hill. These neighborhoods – with over 100,000 residents – provided Jerusalem with the land required for further development. Golda’s defiance caused short-term tension between Jerusalem and Washington, but generated long-term respect toward the Jewish State.
Prime Ministers Begin and Shamir sent a clear message to the White House: “Jerusalem is not negotiable!”
That non-wavering message has been consistent with the American state of mind. For instance, twenty five towns in the United States - from Massachusetts to Oregon - bear the name of Jerusalem – Salem. It reflects the unique bonds that exist – since the 17th century Pilgrims and the Founding Fathers – between the USA and the Jewish capital, the Jewish State and Judaism.
The US Congress – the most authentic representation of the American People, therefore a systematic supporter of the Jewish State and equal in power to the President – has passed a series of bills and resolutions, reaffirming the role of Jerusalem, as the indivisible capital of the Jewish State and the appropriate site for the US embassy in Israel. Democrats are concerned that Obama’s assault on Jerusalem would haunt them during the November 2010 election.
US constituents and their representatives on Capitol Hill are aware that 3,000 years before President Obama entered the White House, and 2,770 years before the US gained its independence, King David entered Jerusalem – the Heart of the Jewish People. However, in contrast to the vast majority of Americans and their representatives on Capitol Hill, President Obama wishes to repartition Jerusalem to prohibit legal Jewish construction, while enticing wide spread illegal Arab construction in Jerusalem - the city which inspired the Founding Fathers of the USA.
The battle over Jerusalem requires the Jewish State to join forces with the American public and its representatives on Capitol Hill. This is the time to resurrect the 1999 Lieberman-Kyl initiative – to relocate the US embassy to Jerusalem - which was co-sponsored by 84 Senators. This is the time to encourage Israel’s friends on the Hill, and especially the Chairmen of the Congressional and Senatorial campaign committees, to revisit bills and resolutions, which highlight Jerusalem’s indivisibility as the capital of Israel.
Securing the future of Jerusalem behooves Netanyahu to follow in the footsteps of Ben Gurion, Eshkol, Golda Meir, Begin and Shamir, displaying steadfastness and, sometimes, defiance of an American President.
On the other hand, submission to pressure by President Obama – who is increasingly considered a burden by Democratic legislators - would jeopardize the future of the Jewish Capital. It would also raise a severe concern: Is a government which wavers on Jerusalem capable of securing the Golan Heights, Judea and Samaria? Is it capable of preempting the Iranian nuclear wrath, in defiance of the US and the world at-large if necessary?
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Guys, we owe Obama a one hand toilet paper salute! Next time you sit on your pearly white porcelain thrones to pay tribute to the new monkey poop god, give your president the proper toilet paper salute!
Comment by Michael Sunstar — March 28, 2010 @ 1:54 pm
This is the time for the major confrontation because:
a) Obama has made it unavoidably clear that there will be one;
b) Handled skillfully, the confrontation will help the pro-Israel Republicans gain control of at least the House and - if everything breaks right - both houses;
c) The Iranian threat must be addressed sooner rather than later.
Rather than desperately trying to cut the baby in half to mollify Obama, Netanyahu should be planning a political collision that maximizes the perception that Obama is incompetent.
We should have an Israpundit pool on what percentage of American Jews vote Democratic in November.
I am guessing 73%.
However, if Obama nukes Israel prior to the election, I will revise my estimate downward.
To 72%.
Comment by ayn reagan — March 28, 2010 @ 3:44 pm
To whom Jerusalem is holy?
Turkish PM Erdogan, as usual, blasted Israeli control over Muslim “holy” sites in Jerusalem as unacceptable.
Comment by yamit82 — March 28, 2010 @ 8:46 pm
I say 83% Fear factor will drive it up.
Comment by yamit82 — March 28, 2010 @ 8:49 pm
BB lashed out against members of his government who criticized Obama’s administration publicly over its treatment of Israel.
Obama has no problem with his own officials addressing Israel in almost profane terms.
Comment by yamit82 — March 28, 2010 @ 9:04 pm
Comment by yamit82 — March 28, 2010 @ 9:09 pm
Jews Barred from Cairo’s Maimonides Synagogue
(IsraelNN.com) The Egyptian government has announced that it will not allow Jews to pray in Cairo’s newly-restored Maimonides Synagogue, in retaliation for Israel’s security response to Arab rioting on the Temple Mount.
Comment by yamit82 — March 28, 2010 @ 9:16 pm
Barak exalts dependency.
Israel will either declare independence or die.
Comment by ayn reagan — March 28, 2010 @ 9:36 pm
It’s over: MPs say the special relationship with US is dead
So Israel is no longer America’s good friend.
And neither is Britain.
Which nation is next to be launched overboard?
Comment by ayn reagan — March 28, 2010 @ 10:07 pm
Canada, Kenya
Comment by yamit82 — March 28, 2010 @ 11:25 pm
Kenya?
The Homeland?
What is the common denominator of Israel and Britain?
Skin color.
My candidate for the next nation to be disemboweled with a plumbing snake:
Germany.
Of course, the Swedes are even whiter than the Germans.
Comment by ayn reagan — March 28, 2010 @ 11:33 pm
He still needs the Germans they own the EU!
The Germans have an ever increasing stake in America the are purchasing large tracts of Land.
Comment by yamit82 — March 28, 2010 @ 11:46 pm
But theoretically he still needs the Americans, and he treats them the way a Schnauzer treats a hydrant.
Comment by ayn reagan — March 28, 2010 @ 11:56 pm
Words to live by, Bibi.
Don’t seek to placate the implacable Obama.
It is simply masochistic.
And no one likes a guy who hits himself in head.
Comment by ayn reagan — March 29, 2010 @ 12:09 am
A simple fact the Palestinians and the rest of the world needs to digest.
It’s not space science, all of Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.
The Palestinians can’t have it or a part of it. It doesn’t belong to them and never will.
No doubt while traveling on their camels their compass was out of whack while heading to Jordan their home.
That’s what happens when you buy those cheap products made in China.
Comment by rongrand — March 29, 2010 @ 2:13 am