Israel Discovers the ‘Real’ Obama: Le Figaro, France

So just how significant is the crossroads on which the United States and Israel find themselves?

Judging by Friday’s editorial by Pierre Rousselin of France’s Le Figaro, we are likely in a brave new world of U.S.-Israel relations.

“Between Israel and the United States, the forecast is no longer for endless blue skies, as it was during the George W. Bush era. The insistence with which the new administration reiterates its demands to the Israeli government forecasts tough times ahead.”

“Obama’s message signifies a lack of concern for the political fragility of Netanyahu’s government and that he isn’t betting on its longevity. The Israeli Prime Minister will soon have to choose between a domestic political crisis, a crisis with the United States, or more likely, both.”

EDITORIAL by Pierre Rousselin

Translated By Sandrine Ageorges

May 29, 2009

France – Le Figaro – Original Article (French)

Between Israel and the United-States, the forecast is no longer for endless blue skies, as it was during the George W. Bush era. The insistence with which the new administration reiterates its demands to the Israeli government forecasts tough times ahead.

The meeting at the White House on May 18th between Barack Obama and Benyamin Netanyahu was considered crucial for relations between the two countries and for the prospects for peace in the Middle East. It couldn’t be otherwise. Officially, the face-to-face encounter between the two men, who have contrasting political backgrounds and sometimes conflicting positions, appears to have gone well, even if it will take time before we know what was actually said.

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