Israeli leaders react to alleged Obama criticism of Netanyahu
Israeli political leaders reacted yesterday to a report on the Bloomberg news website by well-known American journalist Jeffrey Goldberg which claimed, in [US President] Obamas view, [Israels Prime Minister] Netanyahu is moving his country down a path toward near-total isolation.
Goldberg, who writes principally on foreign affairs and in particular the Middle East, said that White House contacts had told him that on matters related to the Palestinians the President [Obama] seems to view the Prime Minister [Netanyahu] as a political coward and that privately Obama shared the view that Israel doesnt know what its own best interests are.
Although Netanyahu himself has not commented on Goldbergs column, according to Israel Hayom, senior figures in the Likud Party have suggested that Obamas alleged comments are an attempt to interfere in Israels election next week, in retaliation for Netanyahus perceived endorsement of Obamas opponent Mitt Romney ahead of Novembers US presidential election. However, Likuds Education Minister Gideon Saar simply commented, Netanyahu will know very well how to work with Obama while at the same time safeguarding Israels interests. Meanwhile, another senior Likud minister Gilad Erdan dismissed Goldbergs report as gossip a journalist wrote, and the facts suggest that the opposite is true.
Posted by: tipper 2013-01-16 |