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Source: http://www.haaretz.com/magazine/week-s-end/smiles-and-ambiguity-1.300929
Behind the Smiles
(Ha'aretz) Aluf Benn - Last summer, President Obama tried to be conciliatory with Iran and pressure Israel. Now he is imposing sanctions on the Iranians and embracing Prime Minister Netanyahu. Obama and his aides realize that they have to work with Netanyahu. They also know that any political agreement Netanyahu signs will get the sweeping support of 70 to 80% of the Israeli public. That recognition helped bring about Washington's transition from bashing to caressing. Netanyahu did his bit to change the American approach. He accepted the two-state principle, froze construction in the settlements, quietly blocked building for Jews and demolition of Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem, and eased the Gaza blockade.