Gaza War Strains Relations Between U.S. and Israel

[Galraedia]

When the State Department condemned Israel’s strike on a United Nations school in Gaza on Sunday, saying it was “appalled” by this “disgraceful” act, it gave full vent to what has been weeks of mounting American anger toward the Israeli government.

The blunt, unsparing language — among the toughest diplomats recall ever being aimed at Israel — lays bare a frustrating reality for the Obama administration: the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has largely dismissed diplomatic efforts by the United States to end the violence in Gaza, leaving American officials to seethe on the sidelines about what they regard as disrespectful treatment.


Even as Israel agreed to a new cease-fire with Hamas, raising hopes for an end to four weeks of bloodshed, its relationship with the United States has been bruised by repeated clashes, from the withering Israeli criticism of Secretary of State John Kerry’s peacemaking efforts to Mr. Netanyahu’s dressing down of the American ambassador to Israel.
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President Obama has had few levers to influence Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government on the current conflict in Gaza.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/05/world/middleeast/gaza-is-straining-us-ties-to-israel.html?_r=0

[4now]

1. Israel is straining relations between Israel and the rest of the world

By murdering their neighbors children.

[oberliner]

6. Murdering children doesn't usually create much strain in international relations

Otherwise, the US and Russia wouldn't have so many allies around the world.

To say nothing of some of the smaller regional powers currently engaging in conflicts around the world where children are being killed.

[BillZBubb]

2. Netanyahu has all the power in this dynamic and he knows it.

The Obama administration has to be his lap dog and they know it. They don't like it, but they'll keep doing it.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

3. I'm surpsied grandpappy McCain hasn't jumped on this chance

to criticize Obama along with other Republicans for undermining Israel. Or has he? Or could it be that they're still sticking their fingers in the air to see which way the wind of American public opinion is blowing?

[oberliner]

7. He's too busy criticizing him about immigration

An issue that's a little more near and dear to his heart.

[Distant Quasar]

4. Who cares?

Seriously, who cares what the State Department, the White House, or any other part of the U.S. government says about what Israel is doing? The Israelis sure don't. They know we will keep shoveling over the money and arms and blocking them from international accountability, no matter how "appalling" and "disgraceful" their behavior is.

The State Department whines about disrespectful treatment - so pathetic. We've never given Israel any reason to respect us, so what does anyone expect?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

5. this. nt