It's no way to treat a friend; particularly one that is facing an existential threat. But, just days after the embarrassing platform debacle at the Democratic National Convention, the White House has shunned Israel again.
Obama has rejected a meeting request from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for later this month when the PM will be in New York for meetings at the United Nations. Netanyahu even volunteered to travel to Washington, DC to accommodate Obama's schedule.
But, according to Israeli government sources, "the White House has got back to us and said it appears a meeting is not possible. It said that the president's schedule will not permit that."
Netanyahu was clearly furious. "The world tells Israel 'wait, there's still time'. And I say, 'Wait for what? Wait until when?'" the Prime Minister fumed, clearly directing his remarks at the Obama Administration.
"Those in the international community who refuse to put red lines before Iran don't have a moral right to place a red light before Israel," Netanyahu added during a news conference.
Israel and Netanyahu have every right to be exasperated. The Obama White House has expended far more diplomatic effort and super-power capital compelling Israel to stand down than to prevent the Iranians from acquiring nuclear weapon capability.
In Charlotte, Obama said, "Our commitment to Israel's security must not waiver." But, once again, the President's actions speak far louder -and send a much different message - than his words.
Netanyahu knows that Obama has had time enough to play more than 100 rounds of golf, attend twice that many fundraisers, and stop at virtually every college campus in America and promise free birth control – but, his schedule is too crowded to accommodate our great ally in their moment of greatest need. It is shameless, and unforgivable.
Read more by clicking below as reported in the National Post: