Washington
- Both Likud Party members in Israel as well as their Americans supporters – including members of both parties in the U.S. Congress – are beginning to complain that the Obama administration is unduly
interfering in Israeli politics by insisting on a full cessation of settlement growth.
The pro-Israel lobby AIPAC that has dictated U.S. actions for decades, last week got the signatures of 329 members of Congress, including key figures in both
parties, on a letter calling on the administration to work closely and
privately with Israel - in contrast to the current public pressure. Among the principles laid out by the House letter is that
the parties themselves must negotiate the details of any agreement. The letter also insists on an
absolute Palestinian commitment to end violence, terror and incitement and urges
far greater involvement and participation by the Arab states both in moving toward normal ties with Israel and in supporting moderate
Palestinians. AIPAC is now even issuing veiled threats of a primary challenge to freshman Rep. Donna Edwards
for alleged insufficient devotion to Israel.
Even the mildest pressure on Israel by Obama will be met with extreme political attacks – as Bush
sen. and Jim Baker learned 1991 when they were bowled over by bipartisan outrage at their attempt merely to condition American loan guarantees to Israel on a cessation of settlement growth.
Israel and some of its Congressional supporters ignored President Bush's appeal to delay a request for $10 billion in loan guarantees to help settle Soviet Jews and made clear that they would push for quick Congressional
approval. . . . In addition, the Israel lobby, the American Israel Public Affairs
Committee, and a broad coalition of Jewish organizations in the United
States, made clear that they too would fight the President on the issue.
