Does today's Meeting at the White House Signify a Renewed Relationship between President Obama and PM Benjamin Netanyahu?

2015-11-09T11:18:34-05:00

The US has committed to increased Security Around the region. It seems to have calmed the Tension between the US and Israel. Is this a sign we are moving forward as Allies?

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday tentatively agreed to an increase in American military aid to Israel and the establishment of a joint task force on Iran’s nuclear program, Channel 2 reported.

In a closed-door meeting that Netanyahu’s aides described as “good,” the two leaders reportedly agreed on an increase to Israeli defense aid, both immediately and in the coming decade. The particulars, however, still need to be hammered out by Washington.

Netanyahu later described the meeting to Israeli reporters as “one of the best” he’s ever had with Obama, saying there was no tension and only a focus on moving forward.

Before leaving for Washington, Netanyahu said he hoped to lay down groundwork for the next decade of US aid to Israel during his meet-up with Obama.

“I believe that this meeting is important in order to clarify the continuation of American aid to Israel in the coming decade,” Netanyahu said.

The new American defense package has been described as “compensation” to Israel for the Iran deal.

The president and prime minister also reportedly agreed to forming a joint US-Israeli task force to monitor the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal.

Netanyahu and Obama butted heads for several years over a nuclear deal with Iran, which was finally reached by world powers and Tehran in July. Since then, Netanyahu has criticized the accord as a “bad deal” and called it a “stunning historic mistake.”

Concerning the rise in violence between Israelis and Palestinians, Channel 2 reported that Netanyahu and Obama agreed to a series of practical steps by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority to calm tensions and prevent further escalation of hostilities.

The report gave no indication of what those steps would be.

Before departing for Washington, Netanyahu was reportedly set to unveil to Obama a series of goodwill gestures aimed at the Palestinians. The moves were detailed by National Security Adviser Yossi Cohen to American counterpart Susan Rice last week, according to a report in the Israeli daily Haaretz Sunday.

Obama, Netanyahu said to agree to expanded US military aid

US, Israel to form joint task force on Iran nuclear-deal monitoring, Channel 2 reports, as well as steps by Israel, Palestinians to calm tensions

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 9 at 2015 11:20 AM

2015-11-09T11:20:15-05:00

I certainly hope so SPC Andrew Griffin.
Israel is one of our staunchest allies in the region and has access to the Mediterranean Sea in case we are blocked from other ports. I hope the President of the USA is sincere in his commitment increased Security Around the region.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Nov 9 at 2015 11:32 AM

2015-11-09T11:32:27-05:00

SPC Andrew Griffin It would be the perfect opportunity for it, and the timing would be perfect, as Israeli television recently aired several programs vilifying the US in general, and Obama in particular, due to the apparent political attitude toward their country.

Unfortunately, Obama's record in his dealing with Prime Minister Netanyahu has been shaky at best. We can only hope that this will be an attempt on the part of our President to patch up some of the damage that has been done, as he has continued to spout rhetoric about the virtues of the Islamic states of that region.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Nov 9 at 2015 11:52 AM

2015-11-09T11:52:12-05:00

This is good for both countries and for the region! I am happy to see the POTUS take this step although he needs to be prepared to be taken to task on the Iran Nuclear agreement......appears there could be some Iranian weaponry leaving the country heading to Yemen and potentially other areas in the region which could further destabilize Israel.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 9 at 2015 1:21 PM

2015-11-09T13:21:01-05:00

I doubt it, as much as I would like to see that. Obama's dislike for Netanyahu and the Israelis goes to the bone.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Nov 9 at 2015 1:26 PM

2015-11-09T13:26:01-05:00

A few thoughts:
- Not sure one can undo and turn around what has happened over the past 6.5 years between President Obama and PM Netanyahu with one meeting.
- President Obama gives a great speech and loves photo ops. The hard part is the follow up and follow through which is one of his weaknesses.
- Promises are easy. I normally wait until I see the promises translated into either action or budget before I get my hopes up about anything.
- I am not sure what "the US has committed to increased security around the region" means. The hard part is always in the details of which this does not provide any.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2015 1:29 PM

2015-11-09T13:29:35-05:00

Sure. A dysfunctional relationship.
On the next Springer...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2015 7:12 PM

2015-12-12T19:12:46-05:00

I sure hope so. We look weak to ISIL and Russia when we bicker yet turn a blind eye to Iran and Russia.