Bill Clinton On Netanyahu: "You Don't Know The Half Of It, My Friend"

[Purveyor]

By M.J. Rosenberg - April 18, 2009, 9:07AM

I keep harping on the administration's clear signals to the Israeli government to stop playing games and get back to negotiations.

Unfortunately, I don't think the Israelis "get" Obama or take him seriously although Obama surely "gets" Netanyahu,

If he needs a primer on Bibi, he can just ask his Secretary of State or her husband. As I've written before, the last time Netanyahu became Prime Minister I was at an event (this was in 1997) where I corralled President Clinton, and told him (as if he needed my advice) that he has to expect Bibi to do everything he can to stonewall the peace process.

I chewed his hear off for a minute or two. Then he smiled, put his arm around my shoulder, and said, "Bibi? You don't know the half of it, my friend."

He then indicated that he shared my view -- and more -- but when I asked him to tell me about the "half" I didn't know, he demurred! Obama should ask him -- or Hillary-- about the whole story. She knows it for sure.

One other thing, Clinton said that he thought Netanyahu's election indicated that Yitzhak Rabin's assassin was one of the few of that number who actually achieved his goal. His goal was to kill off the peace process which, Clinton thought, was essentially achieved when Netanyahu (who had led the anti-Rabin protests) was elected. But that didn't keep Clinton from pursuing the peace process despite his disdain (mild word) for Neanyahu. He even got Netanyahu to agree to withdraw from 11% of the West Bank at the Wye River Summit (that withdrawal was never implemented however).

TPMCAFE: http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/04/18/israelis_just_dont/

[L0oniX]

1. Bah ...it will never end until every last Palestinian is dead or gone.

I hate it. I side with the Palestinians.

[jaysunb]

2. We can be sure the SOS & her husband have both

schooled the President. Not to mention his chief of staff RE.
Bibi is in for a big surprise along with the entire enabling crew.(AIPAC)

[tonycinla]

3. You Think!

I sincerely hope you are right but I believe Netanyahu,Avi Liberman and AIPAC will out smart,out flank and out maneuver Obama and company.These people play hardball better than anyone.It will not even be close.WATCH

[burning rain]

4. There will be Hill to pay if they try any monkey business.

Our secretary of state will don her teflon chainmail pantsuit and ride forth against them. Let them heed this stern truth and fold their hands with humility.

[starroute]

5. It's not about hard, it's about smart

And at this point it looks like Netanyahu and crew are preparing to take on a Bush-sized serving of stupid.

[eridani]

6. If Obama can get around those peeps--

--that alone would qualify him as one of our very best presidents.

[burning rain]

7. Netanyahu seems to really lack a soul.

He didn't scruple against addressing rallies where Rabin was portrayed in Nazi uniform without repudiating such disgusting calumnies, and right after 9/11, when asked what effect it would have on US relations with Israel, he said it would be good. He always seems to be about self-interest -- in a nasty unenlightened way, indifferent to decency and the legitimate interests of others.

[Captain Hilts]

8. Bubba played that region better than anyone. But they were too stupid to take the opportunity...

he presented them.

As a result, Barak was voted out and shit happened.

Bubba is revered in the Middle East.