Obama arrived in Israel on Wednesday morning for a three-day visit devised as a great act of seduction. The American president seems determined to win the hearts of the Israeli people in order to better manage his relationship with that sometimes difficult partner.
“It’s good to be back in the land,” Barack Obama declared in Hebrew upon his arrival at the Ben Gurion airport. He did not hesitate to repeat that this was not his first visit and that this official trip had been preceded by personal visits, in an effort to erase the impression of distance left during his first mandate. Over the course of his journey to the Middle East in 2009, Israelis felt his speech in Cairo was a sign of indifference on behalf of the American president.
Sporting a tie like his fellow representatives under a blue sky resembling the Israeli flag, Obama unfurled all his charm in front of President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He highlighted the values shared by Israel and the United States.
Differences of Opinion
“I see this visit as an opportunity to reaffirm the unbreakable bonds between our nations, to restate America’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security,” Obama said. “We stand together because we share a common story — patriots determined ‘to be a free people in our land.’” Affirming that “it is in our [the United States’] fundamental national security interest to stand with Israel,” Obama stressed that in “an unstable and uncertain Middle East, the need for our [Israel and the United States’] alliance is greater than ever.”*
The tense atmosphere from his previous meetings with Netanyahu, during the course of which Obama had poorly hidden his irritation with the Israeli prime minister, had disappeared in one fell swoop. Smiling and sociable, Obama didn’t stop reassuring the Israelis about his feelings of comradeship and affection. He also mentioned, as often as possible, the historic connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel, even though during his Cairo speech in 2009, he seemed to consider the Holocaust the main reason for the creation of the Jewish state in Israel. Obama constantly called Netanyahu by his nickname “Bibi.” However, the differences between Israel and the United States were apparent.
Israel Does Not Delegate Its Security
By the end of their long interview, Obama and Netanyahu’s smiles seemed a bit rigid. Obama repeated that it was preferable to settle the question of the Iranian nuclear program by negotiation; he pointed out that “there remains time to pursue a diplomatic resolution,” emphasizing that “all options are on the table.” As for Netanyahu, he recognized the American determination, but reminded that Israel will never delegate its security, “not even to its most important friend.”
Syria appeared among the other topics broached between Obama and his Israeli representatives. The stress of the rebels on the Assad regime and the risks of regional instability increasingly trouble Israelis, who fear a dispersal of strategic weaponry. The resumption of negotiations with the Palestinians has also been mentioned. Netanyahu stated, “Israel remains fully committed to peace and the solution of two states for two people.” Obama, who admitted that the issue is difficult, confirmed he had not come to propose a plan for peace, but rather to listen to the two parties, promising to tackle the subject in his big speech on Thursday. His declarations can bring hope to a resumption of negotiations which have been at a standstill for almost three years. Secretary of State John Kerry will stay after Obama’s departure; his presence could help to steer the talks back on track.
*Editor’s Note: While Obama did stress the necessity of U.S.-Israeli cooperation, this quote originates from Benjamin Netanyahu’s official response to Obama’s visit.
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