President Obama Talks to Israel's Channel Two

Ahead of his visit to Israel next week President Obama gave an interview to Israel's channel two

As reported in The Times of Israel and Haaretz the President discussed Iran and the threat that Iranian development of a nuclear bomb meant.

On the eve of his first visit to Israel as U.S. President, Barack Obama told an Israeli television network that "Iran possessing a nuclear weapon is a red line" for his administration....

...."I have been crystal clear about my position on Iran possessing a nuclear weapon - that is a red line for us", Obama said. "It’s something that would not only be dangerous for Israel but would be dangerous for the world [and would] be dangerous for U.S. national security interests". 

..."When I say that all options are on the table, all options are on the table", he said. "The United States obviously has significant capabilities … So when I say that we intend to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, that we’re going to pursue all avenues to make sure that that does not happen."

Kudos to the President for recognizing that steps need to be taken to stop a nuclear weapon BUT that the steps that need to be taken are all options before a major strike. At the current time, I don't think the U.S. (or Israel) should engage in a major military strike against Iran. I think there are other, much more effective ways to handle this and I am sure that the U.S. Government is on task here.

The President was also asked about a number of other things ranging from the Palestinian question to what his relationship with Bibi was, to what would happen to Jonathan Pollard, to what would he "really like to do in Tel-Aviv".

On Pollard the President had this to say:

Spy-for-Israel Jonathan Pollard “committed a very serious crime” and Obama has to follow the rules of review in his case. No plans to release him “immediately.”

But he’ll be “accorded the same kinds of review” open to any other individual. “I recognize the emotions involved in this… My first obligation is to observe the law” and ensure it is applied consistency. Lots of prisoners would like to be released early.

Again I say "Kudos" to the President. Jonathan Pollard was a spy for a foreign country feeding information on his own nation to that country. I don't care if that country was Israel, Pollard violated a trust with regards to the United States of America. As an American, I don't appreciate spies and traitors to our nation. I don't see why we should release Pollard at all. He spied on us, he should pay the price.

As for Israel.... Well, I think the President said it best, so I will simply pass his answer on:

“Some of this is politics… There are conservative views both here in the United States and Israel that may not jive with mine.” And those play out in election seasons. But “I’ve run my last election…” He wants to tell Israelis, he says, of his admiration for Israel’s history, core values, economic success and “the fundamental right of Israel to be secure as a homeland of the Jewish people, and its connection to the land.”

I don't think this could be put any better. And when he talks about the question of the Palestinian people I agree with him 1000%. I think they too need a homeland and to have recognition of their legitimate rights to self-determination. However, that this homeland CANNOT come at the expense of a secure Israel. The President rightly is concerned in this case when it comes to Hamas and their nature as a threat.

According to the TOI, they felt the President "sounded pessimistic" regarding results of talks. If polls of the Palestinians and the make-up of the next Israeli government are indicators... he should. The new Israeli government features a "hawkish" policy both on the International front AND with regards to the Occupation. With HaBayit HaYehudi joining the coalition (and having enough MK's to take down the coalition), they have a party dedicated to eventual annexation of the West Bank. Not too mention that the only person left in Likud who will even talk about a Two State Solution is the Prime Minister and he certainly is not a huge fan of it.

At the same time the Palestinian populace has moved much harder to the right and now is polling in support not only of Hamas, but in Hamas' tactics. See PSR Poll 46 just to see how much this has been the case. In either case, with both polities moving harder to the Right, this does not speak well for the future of any Peace negotiations.

On two lighter questions the President was asked how his relationship with PM Netanyahu was, to which he answered:

He’s met with “Bibi” more than any other world leader and has “a terrific, businesslike relationship.” It’s sometimes “blunt” but “we get stuff done.”

The US has a center-left government and Israel has a more conservative government, he allows.

“The bottom line is that Israel’s security is going to be at the forefront.” It’s not a factor of who’s president or prime minister.

“Any time you read something where the president allegedly said something in as private meting, I think you should … take that with a pinch of salt.”

Differences in policy, he stresses, “end up being bridged and resolved.”

Now, personally I am not sure that I would say that their relationship is "terrific", I can't see any indication of that whatsoever. It seems to me that they can and have worked together effectively in the last couple of years, but, I would not say that they are best buddies. But then again, I don't really care what their relationship is, as long as both American and Israeli interests are supported. They could hate each other with the power of Seven burning suns, but if the President keeps up his support for Israeli security in the manner he has, and the PM keeps up on supporting America the way he has, then whether they like each other is completely irrelevant to me and should be to anyone else.

Finally, the President was asked if there was anything in Tel Aviv that he would like to be able to do.

He says it would be great to wander through Tel Aviv in disguise and go to a university and have some conversations with students in informal settings… but that’s not possible. That really “chafes,” he says. “You can’t just slip out and interact with people without having a bunch of guys with machine-guns” hanging out with you.

Ventures Levy: There must be some compensations?

Obama: Well, there’s “a nice plane.”

All I can say it that I am glad this man is our President (I hope I would be, I voted for him) and that he is going to see Israel and cover off these important issues. I would love it if there was to a direct speech to the Israeli people from Rabin Square - I think that would be fitting. But I will take this visit and be glad.

Shalom.