Tussle With Israel Puts Obama Credibility On The Line, Observers Say

[Purveyor]

By Paul Richter and Richard Boudreaux
June 20, 2009
Reporting from Washington and Jerusalem -- President Obama's public quarrel with Israel over the growth of Jewish settlements in the West Bank is developing into a test of the U.S. leader's international credibility, say foreign diplomats and other observers.

Obama and his senior aides have insisted for weeks that the Jewish state completely halt the expansion of its settlements. But now, with U.S. and Israeli officials apparently close to an agreement on the issue, it is widely expected in Israel and the Arab world that the administration will give ground and support at least some growth in the 120 communities.

Opponents of such a move say the concessions will not only disappoint the Arabs whom the president has courted, but also will be read by adversaries around the globe as a signal that the president can be forced to back down.

"It will tell people who are trying to bend his will, 'You have hope,' " said Ziad Asali, president of the American Task Force on Palestine, a pro-Palestinian advocacy group in Washington.

Last month, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton declared that Obama opposed any growth, saying that he "wants to see a stop to settlements -- not some settlements, not outposts, not 'natural growth' exceptions."

Obama's decision to carry on an open dispute with Israel has been unusual for an American president. But the White House believed that winning Israeli concessions would help him revive Middle East peace talks and build Muslim support for U.S. efforts in the region as well as Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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LA TIMES: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-obama-settlements20-2009jun20,0,7224016.story

[babylonsister]

1. So who exactly thinks his credibility is on the line?

Saying that doesn't make it so. But par for the course.

[FrenchieCat]

8. The LA Times perhaps?

[aquart]

2. Piffle.

Jews never agree with anyone. Especially ourselves.

[SoCalDem]

3. "People" always find reasons to disagree..no matter their culture/religion

Everyone thinks they have the perfect plan, and seem startled to find out that someone else has the perfect plan...and it's the opposite of theirs:)
The main "problem" I see is that any solution was kicked down the road, and then again.. for 60 years, and during that time, the population grew, but the landmass did not. and the tempers have been seething for 60 years too.

[aquart]

9. We do it better and we have a book to prove it.

Have you looked at the Old Testament lately?

[tularetom]

4. It sort of enhances his credibility with me

And hopefully with anyone who wants to correct the impression that America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Israel.

We can be their ally without letting them dictate our foreign policy for an entire region of the globe.

[Jim Sagle]

6. Anyone who has that impression is a piece of shit to begin with.

And the dictation is coming from us. Good luck with that.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

5. they are going to change out there too

[MarjorieG]

7. Is this natural growth in areas Osrael would have to levae? What are we getting in return?