Kagan: At What Price Netanyahu?
Click here for reuse options!Even the most eloquent speech by Netanyahu will not add more than marginally to what has already been said and heard. But even if the drama of the situation and the prime minister’s eloquence were to highlight the already well-articulated case against a bad deal, the question is: at what price?
For there is a price. I will leave it to the Israeli government and people to worry about what damage the prime minister’s decision could have on U.S.-Israeli relations going forward, and not just under this administration. Those Americans who care most about that relationship will also have to weigh whether the short-term benefits of having Netanyahu speak will outweigh potential long-term costs. Looking back on it from years hence, will the spectacle of an Israeli prime minister coming to Washington to do battle with an American president wear well or poorly?
For the United States, however, there is no doubt that the precedent being set is a bad one. This is not the first time that a U.S. administration and an Israeli prime minister have been at loggerheads. President George H.W. Bush and his secretary of state, James Baker, reportedly detested then-prime minister Yitzhak Shamir and did their best to help him lose his next election. Baker even had a few choice words for the American Jews who tried to come to the Israeli government’s defense. Did anyone at the time think of inviting Shamir to address Congress? The very idea would have been regarded as laughable. Now, we’re supposed to believe that it’s perfectly reasonable.
Is anyone thinking about the future? From now on, whenever the opposition party happens to control Congress — a common enough occurrence — it may call in a foreign leader to speak to a joint meeting of Congress against a president and his policies.
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Copyright 2015 Liberaland
8 responses to Kagan: At What Price Netanyahu?
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jybarz February 28th, 2015 at 18:05
This is a classic example of GOP’s treasonous act to undermine US President Obama and ultimately America out of their hatred towards him because he is black. There seems to have no limitation in their stupidity on how they go about in doing so. Israel PM Nothankyou is blatantly meddling with US politics favoring the repukes in every chance he can get.
Yes, thanks to repukes and Nothankyou, this will no doubt affect US-Israel long term relationship.
bluejayray February 28th, 2015 at 22:29
I just read today that Boehner has invited yet ANOTHER foreign dignitary to address congress without consulting the President, but now I can’t remember who it was or where I saw it. At any rate, I hope this backfires big time on the GOPTP. I have never seen so much disrespect for a sitting president. I don’t think that the pope’s upcoming address is going to go like they think it will, either.
bluejayray February 28th, 2015 at 22:32
And here’s more on Israel’s angle on our “friendship” with them:
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150228/1018892606.html
fahvel March 1st, 2015 at 03:39
is it possible that the repug party lacks anyone capable of saying anything with a humanitarian bent – so they go fishing and low and behold find a war hawk destroyer as a viable speaker?
rg9rts March 1st, 2015 at 05:43
Its all about the $$$$ and it always was.
rg9rts March 1st, 2015 at 05:44
Bibi is using congress the same way…
anothertoothpick March 1st, 2015 at 10:53
Who do you find more despicable?
Bonheur or Netanyahu?
anothertoothpick March 1st, 2015 at 12:01
Let’s remember that YAA-HOOO (I won’t even attempt to spell his name)is against Obama’s effort to stop ISIS. After all, ISIS is doing the work for the Zionists by killing Arabs.
Do you think YaA HOO gives a shit about those beheaded christians?