The Blog

Convergence

3:04 PM, Jul 16, 2009 • By MICHAEL GOLDFARB
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Ben Smith links a new report from CAP on the Obama administration's strategy for moving the peace process forward:

The communications campaign cannot only be directed toward the Arabs and Palestinians. The Obama administration will achieve its goal of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict only if its actions are not viewed by Israelis as hostile to their interests. Washington needs to reassure Israel that it will continue to support its security and work to maintain a close bilateral relationship while also pushing forcefully for a two-state solution which it sees as in the best interests of the region. Israel and the United States cannot afford to surprise each other with unexpected, uncoordinated initiatives that collide with each other's strategic position.

Yeah, like we've been saying, Obama's best leverage on Bibi is Israeli public opinion, which he's already lost completely and perhaps permanently. Our great diplomat in chief managed to trade away the affection of a people with no other friends -- and in exchange for what exactly? To CAP's credit, they understand that Obama can't succeed unless Israelis view the American president as an ally, which they always did until Obama came along. President Obama has actually created a new obstacle to peace, and even the Center for American Progress sees it that way.

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