Unprecedented Move, White House Hosts Meeting With Israeli Whistle-Blowing Group: Is this any way to treat an ally?

2015-06-05T21:26:43-04:00

In an unprecedented departure from established White House protocol, White House and State Department Officials this week hosted representatives from the Israeli NGO Breaking The Silence, an organization that has been critical of actions taken by the Israeli Army and IDF during last summer's Gaza War.
Is it a wise decision for the Administration to do this? What message does this send to Israel? To our other allies? To our enemies? What implications will this have for future Administrations?

What say you, RP?

In first, US officials meet with IDF whistle-blowing group

Breaking The Silence briefs White House, State Department officials on report highly critical of Israeli army’s conduct during the Gaza war

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Jun 5 at 2015 9:36 PM

2015-06-05T21:36:58-04:00

Another stupid move by this administration. We don't have many, if any, other allies than Israel. Is this administration trying to alienate Israel?

Response by SPC Ei McS made Jun 5 at 2015 9:42 PM

2015-06-05T21:42:04-04:00

How are the Israelis really our allies? Ok, they are not our enemies, but allies? I mean they haven't really helped in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc!

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 5 at 2015 10:37 PM

2015-06-05T22:37:33-04:00

It would seem that president Obama is living in a strange world of his own manufacture.

"Barack Obama claimed he was the President who was the closest to being Jewish, according to his former advisor David Axelrod.

Obama, who is the first black US President, is alleged to have said: 'You know, I think I am the closest thing to a Jew that has ever sat in this office. For people to say that I am anti-Israel, or, even worse, anti-Semitic, it hurts'."

His policies for the past seven years make that statement inexplicable.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obama-aide-claims-president-said-im-the-closest-thing-to-a-jew-that-has-ever-sat-in-this-office-10293651.html

Barack Obama's extraordinary claims about being 'closest' thing to Jewish President

Barack Obama claimed he was the President who was the closest to being Jewish, according to his former advisor David Axelrod.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jun 5 at 2015 10:57 PM

2015-06-05T22:57:20-04:00

The Palistians lost any right to that land. When they supported Jordon, Egypt and Syria in the six day war. If Obama cared about the Israelis he would move our embassy from Tel Aviv to Jurusalem.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 11:43 PM

2015-06-05T23:43:21-04:00

Allies suggests a two-way relationship; what has Israel ever done for us? It's more accurate to say we're the protectors of an ill-conceived nation born from guilt. We've ignored a lot of terrible things over the years when it comes to them. Netanyahu honestly seems like a war-provoking jingoist. Where is the benefit of treating them like they're special rather than simply regarding them as we would anybody else?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 12:23 AM

2015-06-06T00:23:17-04:00

The situation over there is complex. Being an ally does not mean we blindly support whatever an ally does-- especially if that ally is doing something that may be counter-productive to regional stability, and creating situations which will draw us in. And, since we have a lot of money flowing to Israel, we have an interest and a say in what happens.

It is possible that the best thing we can do with our ally is meet with people who want to change the status quo, which is currently quite costly and ultimately unsustainable.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 6 at 2015 10:06 AM

2015-06-06T10:06:45-04:00

Indeed!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/03/24/report-israel-spied-on-iran-u-s-talks-and-shared-information-with-lawmakers/

Report: Israel spied on Iran-U.S. talks and shared information with lawmakers

The Wall Street Journal said Israel spied on nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran and gave information to lawmakers.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 6:25 PM

2015-06-06T18:25:05-04:00

I see it as playing politics with an important ally. Bibi came here and addressed Congress against President Obama's wishes, so this is the pay back. Unfortunate.