(The Oklahoman) Editorial - Just in case anyone wondered, the State Department announced Monday that the Obama administration still considers Israel a friend of the United States. That Washington felt the need to clear that up shows how difficult things have gotten with Tel Aviv after last week's kerfuffle over Israeli plans - years in the future - to build housing units in north Jerusalem, an area considered off limits to Jews by Arabs and, obviously, the Obama team. We suspect lots of Americans are wondering about the Obama administration's sense of proportionality: Iran's government cuts down opponents in the streets and barely creates a ripple with the Obama crew, which has no problem reaming our most valuable friend in the Middle East. We realize Netanyahu's reluctance to deal away Israel's security to its enemies is inconvenient to the administration's hope of a breakthrough in the peace process, but really, it's no way to treat a strategic ally. Unfortunately, it is this president's pattern: tread lightly with America's adversaries and land like a ton of bricks on friends - especially dangerous for Israel because of those who will be emboldened by it.
2010-03-17 09:28:05Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive