Netanyahu Criticized For Original Settlement Freeze--And For Trusting The US

In an interview (hebrew-text and audio), Yoram Ettinger launches a stinging attack on Netanyahu--not only on Bibi's reliance on US assurances, but also because--according to Ettinger--the whole idea of a settlement freeze originated with Netanyahu and actually caught the US by surprise.

On the issue of unkept promises, there is a history--Cal Thomas elaborates:

What should be troubling is the number of promises made by previous American presidents that were not fulfilled, either because the United States failed to uphold them, or an Israeli prime minister did not press the matter.

In 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower made commitments in order to get Israel to withdraw from the Sinai. In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson failed to implement those commitments and the Six-Day War followed.

In 1970, President Richard Nixon made promises to end the war of attrition between Israel and Egypt. Egypt violated the agreement, and the United States failed to live up to its commitments. The 1973 Yom Kippur War followed, which killed 2,800 Israelis.

In 1996 and again in 1998, President Bill Clinton promised to refrain from pressuring Israel into making further concessions until the Palestinian Authority altered its Charter that calls for the elimination of Israel. The Charter was not altered, but Israel was expected to honor its promises.

In 2000, Clinton committed $800 million in special assistance to induce Israel to withdraw from Southern Lebanon. Israel withdrew, and Hezbollah quickly filled the geographic and military vacuum, increasing terrorist attacks. The promised U.S. assistance never arrived.

Obama's refusal to recognize the Bush letter has a rich history.

On the issue of Israel offering concessions on its own--well, we know there is a history of that too. The original moratorium was presented as offered by Netanyahu, not suggested--or coerced--by Obama:

Netanyahu on Wednesday presented a proposal for resolving the ongoing Israeli-American dispute over construction in the settlements. In a meeting with Mitchell, Netanyahu suggested a temporary freeze, reportedly for nine months, on construction in the West Bank, a government source said.

I had forgotten that.
Is it any wonder that Obama would push and push again for Netanyahu to extend on his generous offer?

Technorati Tag: Settlement Freeze and Netanyahu and Yoram Ettinger.