Benjamin Netanyahu actually likes traveling to the United States. He grew up there and is sure that he understands American politics and society better than any Israeli prime minister before him. But he’s been blown off nonetheless. Since his latest chilly meeting with Barack Obama, he now senses that the wind from the White House is coming from a different direction.
He therefore knows that since Iran is Israel’s chief threat, he needs a strong alliance with the United States more than ever. Until now, however, he’s been trying to wait the matter out without resolving the conflict over settlement expansion in East Jerusalem.
The upcoming nuclear summit shows just how counter-productive his strategy is. Moderate Muslim states like Egypt and Turkey are no longer willing to turn a blind eye toward Israel, the clandestine nuclear power. At least they are unwilling as long as Netanyahu doesn’t seriously pursue peace with the Palestinians. Maybe staying at home will give him enough time to consider a political course correction.
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