Weekly Commentary: Pressure on Netanyahu may boomerang

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 7 May 2009

It appears that the people who advised the Obama team to maximize the
pressure on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, confident that he would
buckle, failed to take into account that grossly unreasonable pressure would
actually empower him to stand his ground.

Today Washington is arguing that Israel should sacrifice its interests so
that it will be easier for America in its dealings with Iran, the Arab
world, the entire Moslem world - and more.

But at the very same time they are proposing the quick conclusion of a deal
creating a sovereign Palestinian state with a house of cards arrangement
involving various third parties in order to guarantee Israel's security.

But here's the intuitive problem:

If today Washington claims Israel must subordinate its interests to serve
American needs, who is to say that the very same thing wouldn't happen when
the "two state solution" fails.

The nightmare scenario: a sovereign terrorist Palestinian state in the very
heart of Israel and it runs counter to America's pressing interests to do
something about it.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il