From the White House press office today shortly after noon, “Readout of the President’s Call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.” I guess we should be grateful that this is so short and cool; though it doesn’t say who called who:
President Obama spoke today by telephone with Prime Minister Netanyahu to congratulate him on his party’s success in winning a plurality of Knesset seats in Israel’s recent election. The President indicated that the United States looks forward to working with the next government. He also reiterated his commitment to the deep and enduring bonds between the United States and Israel, and pledged to work closely with Israel on our shared agenda for peace and security in the Middle East.
Update: Haaretz says Obama called Netanyahu.
ooh-kay.
Obama said that he “pledged to work closely with Israel on our shared agenda for peace and security in the Middle East.” He say this with his fingers crossed, as usual, or is he telling N’hu that the fingers are no longer crossed when he says this? He sayin’ “get with the program”. or jes’ mumblin’.
BTW, NYT has re-assigned the 7 reporters that used to cover the “environment” beat. How many reporters do they have for the Zionism beat? You know, all the news about Zionism that the owners of NYT believe that the beautiful people can stomach reading? Guess that to NYT, happy-happy Israel (which wouldn’t hurt a fly unless the fly insisted, and NYT doesn’t publish the fly-news) is now more important specifically-assigned-reporter-wise than global warming, aquifer-depletion (in the USA, mind), over-population, poisons in everything we eat or breathe, etc.
Let’s hear it for NYT! After all, it’s a beautiful world out there if you IGNORE REALITY.
I’m sure Obama had to grind his teeth really hard when he said that he’s “looking forward” to the USG working with the new Israeli government. Much how one looks forward to a full body cavity search at the Fedral Pen.
Two years ago a FLA student asked Obama in public, why are we supporting Israeli human rights violations with our tax dollars? Watch him joke around with the audience, simultaneously gaining time to gather and sequence the usual talking hasbara talking points. Then out they come, the same old broken record everyone here has heard a million times. Israel is a vibrant democracy and a big ally of ours, so we must secure its defense; it’s complicated and he does not have the time to give you full context, history, etc; the Palestinians must recognize Israel as a Jewish state, etc. (He prefaced his response by explicitly stating he would answer the student generally, rather than responding directly to her specific question.) He concludes by telling the student it’s important “to pay attention to the plight of the Palestinians” because that’s in the interest of Israel and the US.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oniFAoHgSmw
Would have been nice if he would have also concluded, given “the plight,” it was also in the interests of the Palestinians. Freudian slip. So much to do, say, so little time…