Israel Turns Its Face Away from the United States

In mid-May, the riots in the Arabic world shifted to Israel as tens of thousand Palestinian refugees shouted “I want to go home”; meanwhile, Israel used weapons to scatter Palestinians fleeing from the three border areas, wounding and killing dozens of people. Israel worried that the shock from the Arab Spring might influence the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. However, President Obama later recommended that Israel and Palestine should consider reaching a deal based on the 1967 borders. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently refused and accused America of putting the issue in jeopardy.

Retuning to the 1967 borders and allowing Palestine to establish a country of its own is an idea that has always been supported by Europe and the Middle Eastern countries. Influenced by lobbyist groups from Israel, the United States has always stood beside Israel. However, President Obama’s recent address symbolizes a dramatic change in America’s Middle East policy.

The United States is one of Israel’s strongest allies. Having the United States at its back, Israel is never alone nor even faced with isolation. However, with the right wing constantly ruling the country, Israel becomes more and more isolated internationally. Similarly, America’s favoring and tolerating of Israel also became the primary reason for the rise of Arabic anti-Americanism. Obama openly put pressure on the Netanyahu administration, showing the Arabic world that change is coming.

Having gotten 70 percent of the Jewish American vote, President Obama will pay a huge price for offending Israel. However, if Israel loses the protection of the United States, the situation will become more dangerous. In fact, the moderate party in Israel has been criticizing the Netanyahu government for stirring nationalism, pushing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into a dead end.

“1967 borders” is an ambiguous term because at that time, Palestine was not established as a country, and East Jerusalem was still occupied by Jordan. To use this border as a foundation for peace talks is totally nonviable in political reality. However, Israel is constantly expanding in the West Bank, which not only violates international law and the U.N. treaties but also stamps on the human rights and dignity of the Palestinians. Israel controls the West Bank and blocks the Gaza Strip, setting wires and concrete walls along the barrier, but Israel’s security deteriorates. Netanyahu’s policies are now being attacked by the opposition party.

The 1967 border is unsafe for Israel, and its border and military power are incapable of ensuring security. Israel also does not get along with most European and Middle Eastern countries. Now, as Israel breaks up with the United States, the biggest threat is just arriving.