Israel became a ‘State’ in 1948. The United States has been its greatest friend and protector to this very day, but that may be changing. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s geographical expansion of his nation at the expense of Palestinians has been heavily criticized by most of the developed nations in the world. It appears some in the United States are joining in the criticism of Netanyahu’s policies.

Netanyahu has been under fire from retired Israeli generals and others involved in the nation’s defense for failing to seek a permanent peace with the Palestinians. He has refused to engage in honest negotiations. Vice-President Joe Biden spoke of Netanyahu’s promise to find a ‘two-state’ solution in the region.

“Israel’s government’s steady and systematic process of expanding settlements, legalizing outposts, seizing land, is eroding, in my view, the prospect of a two-state solution,” Biden said in a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a leading pro-Israel lobbying group, as quoted by Reuters.

Palestine is seeking statehood for its people. Netanyahu claims that a solution can be achieved in conjunction with Israel’s continuing its growing settlements in Gaza.

“Bibi (Netanyahu) thinks it can be accommodated, and I believe he believes it. I don’t,” Biden said.

Netanyahu’s reelection last year seems to offer proof that the Israeli people approve of his policies; this is not entirely accurate. His approval rating is only 41 percent. As a point of interest, his rating inside the United States is 45 percent.

The United Nations believes that new land acquisitions in the region are hampering possible peace negotiations with Palestinian leaders. The United Kingdom, and Germany have condemned Netanyahu for his latest actions.

The question becomes the safety of the American people. Can our government afford continued support for policies which anger the Muslim world? Is an alliance with Israel more important than dozens of others throughout the Middle East? Is Netanyahu a friend of the United States or merely a dictator who seeks control of Gaza and the entire West Bank?

It appears that the United States must make demands upon the Netanyahu administration. Israel cannot survive without the support of our nation and its continued supply of military weaponry. The leverage belongs to America.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of DonkeyHotey

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