Gary Rosenblatt’s illuminating column on and interview with Ambassador Michael Oren was striking for what was omitted: Any mention of the Israeli government’s role in the deterioration of what he correctly described as Israel’s “relationship with its most important ally, the U.S.” (“Undiplomatic Talk From Michael Oren,” Editor’s column, Dec. 12).
Just a few examples: announcements of plans for building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem timed to poke a stick in the eye of the Obama administration, including while Vice President Biden was in Israel; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s lecturing President Obama about the Middle East during a photo-op in the White House; Israeli leaders’ open support of Mitt Romney during the 2012 presidential campaign.
Rosenblatt asked, “Will the U.S. stand by Israel?” when the Palestinian Authority goes to the United Nations seeking recognition, or to the International Criminal Court. The answer is currently in doubt, at least in part, because of the current Israeli governments’ actions regarding the U.S. Israel’s role needs to be openly and honestly discussed, so that whatever mistakes were made can be corrected. Israel’s security depends on it.
I look forward to reading the ambassador’s memoir.
The author is a former Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
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