Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Obama to Visit Israel in Spring
Now that both President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have both been re-elected to office, President Obama has planned a trip to Israeli in order for the men to ease tensions that have arisen over the past four years. However, despite Netanyahu's ability to retain his position, he has lost a great deal of influence and followers, and it is likely that the two men will be unable to do anything on a large scale. President Obama will have to deal with an entirely new Israeli government, one that will not necessarily follow the Prime Minister's lead. Many critics hope that this visit will be more than just a photo opportunity for President Obama, considering that he will be only the fifth president to visit Israel. Nonetheless, there is a strong belief in Israel that it is with Obama's help that they can help end some conflict in the Middle East, such as Iran's nuclear program.
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The United State's relationship with Israel is a very important part of our foreign policy. I think it is good that Obama is cultivating it, even if there is a new government. I hope that they can work out some solutions to the problems in the Middle East, particularly with the Palestinians.
ReplyDeleteAs often as I say stay in our own country and fix our problems, this caught me by surprise. I find this to be very good because, as Aaron said, Israel is a big part in our foreign policy. I think that there is a big opportunity that we, the United States as a whole, can end the problem in the Middle East if all goes will in Israel. But, as Mo said, not everyone follows the Israeli Prime Minister anymore, so that will cause some problems.
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ReplyDeleteIsrael has continued to be one of our biggest allies and the tension between our country and theirs over the last four years hasn't gone as unnoticed as the article states. It's important President Obama works to remedy that friendship especially with all the tension going on today in the Middle East. Facing problems in our own country right now is something that needs to be done; however, the Middle East, especially Iran, have the potential to be quite a threat to the US which means they need to be stopped before things escalate and we lose control.
ReplyDeleteI think it is very important that the U.S. support Israel. It is a big democratic presence in the Middle East. I am curious to see how the relationship between Obama and Netanyahu develops. I know Netanyahu does not have as much support in Israel as he did before, and it seems with Iranian nuclear threats that the stakes have been raised.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the U.S. needs to support Israel. I think that an attack on Israel should be taken as an attack to the U.S. I think and hope the president will accomplish something while he is over there. Now the question is what. We need to stick up to countries like Iran as well as terrorist groups by showing our continued support in Israel. The last thing we need is another war in the Middle East, and I think that with the proper, constant, and strong U.S. support we can avoid that conflict.
ReplyDeleteI agree with my classmates that this is was a wisr decision by president Obama. Just as the article said, our relationship with Israel had not been the greatest during the past four-years. However, with a change in the role of Prime Minister, it is sort of like a new beginning. The article also states that Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost some support so the changes he makes will most likely not be monumental. The visit is still a good stepping stone for a better relationshipbfor both countries.
ReplyDeleteIsrael has a symbolic importance for a major Democratic constituency and it is a cornerstone of American foreign policy. It is very important that President Obama makes this trip and tries to smooth over relations. I think the more centrist composition of the Israeli government will help warm our relations with Israel, because we are now more likely to see eye to eye on the issues that have strained our relationship in the past.
ReplyDeleteI agree with John that the move to the political center expressed by Israel's electorate will help diplomatic relations between the US and Israel. It is important that the US keep good relations with Israel because of the importance of having at least one ally in the middle east, although I don't think the US needs to aggressively cultivate this relationship as it seems Israel relies on our support more than we rely on Israel.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else. We have always supported Israel and they have been a key ally for us. I feel that it is extremely crucial that Obama smooths over the relationship because if we don't get along with one of our closest allies, how will other nations perceive that. It also may give Obama some more political clout as he seeks to push more of his agenda.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone has said, I also agree with the above opinions. I think Sebastian makes a great point that we need to show continued support and not back down to countries that we have been previously at war with. It is best to be a good terms with more countries, so anything we can do to restore good relations is a good idea in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone said, I agree that Israel support is very important for U.S. A couple of people also said that the U.S. needs to show continuous support and to stick up to countries because countries we have previously been at war with. Obama is doing a good thing by trying to restore good relations with Israel and hopefully gets something done.
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