Presidential Madness Redux – What Is He Thinking?

Posted By CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – In 2004, the US made commitments to Israel, overwhelmingly supported by both Houses of Congress, calling  it unrealistic to expect Israel to return major population centers.  While candidate Obama regularly suggested meeting with enemies without pre-conditions, in a major policy shift, President Obama unilaterally calls  for oxymoronic negotiations based on the pre-1967 borders, with land swaps: “We believe the borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states"

While such policy shift is viewed largely as radical by any measure, it is not surprising.  We stated as much in our Presidential March Madness. The Israel rebuke is all the sharper considering it comes on the eve of a visit to Washington by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the trashing the Prime Minister received in his previous visit to the White House. 

While the Prime Minister is scheduled to address the US Congress hoping to restore the focus to the threat of Iran, Obama’s rebuke pre-empts the Prime Minister’s Message.

In a statement Netanyahu refuted Obama’s speech point by point.

"The viability of a Palestinian state cannot come at the expense of the viability of the one and only Jewish state," Netanyahu said, a direct reference to Obama's call for a "viable Palestine, a secure Israel."

The Israeli leader went on to make it clear that the speech did not go far enough in extending the 2004  reassurances to protect Israel's interests during negotiations.  "Prime Minister Netanyahu expects to hear a reaffirmation from President Obama of U.S. commitments made to Israel in 2004, which were overwhelmingly supported by both Houses of Congress," the statement said.

Also of concern for Netanyahu was how Obama left out Bush's rejection of a Palestinian "right of return." All Obama would say was that the issues of refugees and Jerusalem were "wrenching and emotional" and should be left for later.

“Israel appreciates President Obama's commitment to peace…That is why Prime Minister Netanyahu expects to hear a reaffirmation from President Obama of U.S. commitments made to Israel in 2004, which were overwhelmingly supported by both Houses of Congress”,” reads in part the Prime Minister’s statement

Having had success with the Presidential March Madness Bracket, we can safely argue that President Obama will not only not reaffirm US Commitments made to Israel in 2004, but will in essence embolden Iran and anti-Israeli forces.

The questions is, What is He Thinking?