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After Midterms, Obama May Now Better Understand Netanyahu's Domestic Political Considerations

(Jerusalem Post) Herb Keinon - As far as the U.S. president's overall Middle East policy is concerned, despite the midterm election results, Israel will see more of the same from Obama. Obama has been very consistent regarding his perception of our conflict, and the way to resolve it. Over the last few months there has been a tactical change regarding his tone toward Israel, but not an overall strategic shift in how he views the conflict or its solution. He will not, justifiably, interpret the election defeat as a vote on his Middle East policies. Where there may be some change is in his appreciation of the genuine political constraints facing Prime Minister Netanyahu. Over the last few weeks, numerous stories have been coming out of Washington saying there was a good deal of frustration and anger at Netanyahu inside the administration for using domestic political "excuses" as a reason for not responding positively to Obama's call to extend the settlement moratorium. They do not see this as a legitimate excuse. As a result of the thunderous loss his party took in the elections, the real political choices Obama himself will have to make may give him a better appreciation of the real political challenges Netanyahu is up against.
2010-11-03 10:31:36
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