Debbie, one has to marvel at the irony.
Its OK to accept despots on their own terms and to talk to them without preconditions.
When it comes to Israel, its suddenly different. Obama wants a leader other than who the Israelis chose and he will talk to him only on his own terms.
Yep, that’s hopenchange, alright! Its no accident Obama’s first phone call as President was to the “good terrorist” Mahmoud Abbas. Symbolism

NormanF on February 13, 2009 at 12:37 am

I meant to say symbolism matters on occasions like this one. And it isn’t very auspicious.
The chutzpah of it all!

NormanF on February 13, 2009 at 12:38 am

Where does one start with the irony and ludicrousness of this article and the situation?
Arabs see little hope of peace? As though it was someone else’s fault there is not any peace?
The caption suggests peace is good? All peace will mean is further concessions by israel.
National Unity government? How ironic. Most Israelis voted against Labor, and shifted to the right, so of course a National Unity government in Israel will provide, in essence, a continuation of the policies of Olmert and Livni, even if Netanyahu is nominally the head of it.
The stance by Netanyahu and the Jewish leaders (sic) appears to be meant to create pressure on the Israelis to form a unity government. The only people (sic) in Israel who support this, essentially are the Arabs and decreasing far left who voted for Labor. Isn’t this what happened in the US? One far left candidate, and one mid-left candidate, with the people, in their majority, to the right of the mid-left candidate with virtually no major politician reflecting their views? Exchanging one benevolent despot for another? (despot in the sense of arbitrarily deciding course of action without regard for the will of the people/taxpayers)

c f on February 13, 2009 at 1:06 am

America and the whole world will realize sooner or later, that Israel is an outlaw, and is the mother and father of all terrorism. AS Americans first and formost, our loyalty should be to America and to our great constitution. Hate mongering, lies, and deceit will not lead us anywhere.
[“MIKE”: PLEASE USE YOUR REAL NAME ON THIS SITE, MOHAMMED. DS]

mike on February 13, 2009 at 1:18 am

mike , time you got real…… ! What have you been drinking??????

madeleine7 on February 13, 2009 at 5:04 am

In the field of foreign affairs, Obama is a little leaguer playing in the major leagues. Someone explain to me how Kadima after the disastrous Olmert administration filed with corruption, appeasement, surrender, and cowardice – could get 28 Knesset seats.

Ripper on February 13, 2009 at 8:23 am

Pat Buchanan is that you?

Ripper on February 13, 2009 at 8:25 am

I think he is doing this to pander to the people who voted for him. The code pink types would rather be friends with terrorists than slightly strong willed jews, and since he wants to get elected I am sure he is doing this for them.

mindy1 on February 13, 2009 at 9:23 am

The problem with Netanyahu is that he is too wishy-washy. All of them get worn down by the relentless world pressure. Shamir was probably the toughest.
Israel needs to to what is it it’s best interest. Why listen to anti-Semitic Europeans and Jew-hating US Secretaries of State? Israel should refuse our foreign aid–they are smart enough to do without it. They need to get rid of their cradle-to-grave socialism.
Most important, they should stop giving away their technology and scientific/medical advances to people who them.

lexi on February 13, 2009 at 11:58 am