Israel, U.S. still friends

Editorial

It was billed as a "crucial," "fateful," "critical" meeting, but anyone following the news leading up to Monday's press conference between Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama would not have been at all surprised at what was discussed. But perhaps it's OK that it was anti-climatic.

It was anticipated that Netanhayu would stress the Iranian nuclear threat and the need for Israel's security. And he did. It was predicted that Obama would stress the need for a two-state solution and an end to Israeli settlement building. And he did.

Most of the differences of opinion were more semantic than substantive. Anyone expecting – or wanting – fisticuffs would have been disappointed, as both leaders did their utmost to assure the other of the strong and friendly ties between their countries. Then again, maybe it was like a boxing match, where the two fighters dance around each other for a while, assessing each other's strengths and weaknesses before striking.

Despite the lack of overt confrontation in the Oval Office, the pundits kept themselves busy afterwards, reading additional meaning into every word – especially those left unspoken by Netanyahu: "two-state solution." Obama was accused in some media of patronizing Netanyahu and of equating Iranian threats against Israel with Israeli threats against Iran, from his comment, "We want to achieve a situation where all countries in the region can pursue economic development and commercial ties and trade and do so without the threat that their populations are going to be subject to bombs and destruction." Netanyahu's stated hope that "Obama will succeed" in his talks with Iran was seen as a mere diplomatic phrase, which, in practice, means that Israel will consider "other options" once the year's up.

Israeli politicians got their critiques on record as well. One Kadima MK accused Netanyahu of trying to "tempt President Obama with meaningless words," while another called Netanyahu's trip "pointless." A National Union MK claimed that Obama failed to show enough commitment to Israel's safety from the threat of a nuclear Iran, despite Obama's promise that if American diplomatic efforts fail to get results by the end of the year, he would reevaluate the situation (granted, the president didn't offer a military option).

Of course, Netanyahu's own party – the Likud – praised the meeting as a success. And, of course, aides to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas pointed out that Netanyahu did not respond to Obama's comment that Israel must stop expanding Jewish settlements and wouldn't say he was ready to negotiate a two-state solution.

For their part, the leaders were positive. Obama said the meeting reflected "the extraordinary relationship, the special relationship between the United States and Israel." In speaking to reporters, Netanyahu said, "it was a good meeting, friendly. There was a deep commitment to relations with the U.S., with whom we have a special relationship."

Without reading between the lines, there seems to be much common ground and reason to be hopeful.

While Obama talked about "a two-state solution in which Israelis and Palestinians are living side by side in peace and security," Netanyahu said, if "the Palestinians recognize Israel as the Jewish state, if they – if they fight terror, if they educate their children for peace and to a better future, then I think we can come at a substantive solution that allows the two people to live side by side in security and peace, and I add prosperity...."

On Iran, Netanyahu said, "the worst danger we face is that Iran would develop nuclear military capabilities." Obama said, "Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon would not only be a threat to Israel and a threat to the United States, but would be profoundly destabilizing in the international community as a whole and could set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that would be extraordinarily dangerous for all concerned, including for Iran."

The only real disagreement was on settlements. Obama minced no words: "Settlements have to be stopped in order for us to move forward. That's a difficult issue. I recognize that, but it's an important one and it has to be addressed." Netanyahu uttered no words on this topic – but has said he would not stop settlement building designed to meet natural population growth.

Before meeting with Obama, Netanyahu met with Egypt's President Hosni Murabek and Jordan's King Abdullah II. He has been promoting "a triple-track towards peace" – a political, security and economic track – with two stipulations: Israel's security and Palestinians' recognition of Israel as the Jewish state.

Obama will see Mubarak on May 26 and Abbas on May 28. He intends to launch a new American peace plan in his speech in Cairo on June 4.

Both leaders have their work cut out for them. Since the "ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas, there have been 206 rockets and mortars fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip. There are enough real concerns with which both men must deal that looking for ulterior motives in their every word is what is "pointless," not their meeting. It is their actions that matter most.

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