Friends and Foes in Heads of State

"I find it stunning to see the comments out of the White House on this issue. It is more than a distraction, it is unfortunate. It plays into the hands of those people who are not in favor of the relationship [between Israel and the US], who are not in favor of Israel, or who are in favor of Iran, and the idea that people are saying what they are saying I find most unfortunate. The entire discussion on [Netanyahu’s] visit, it seems to me, is a distraction from the important subject about Iran."
"Here is a country that is supporting terrorism, has a pattern of being hostile not only toward the United States and Israel but toward many of the countries in your [Middle East] region. If the White House or the administration has a problem on an issue with a friend, normally they would work it out privately. They would sit down and say, ‘Gee what about this, what about that, let’s work this out.’ In this case, it’s all public diplomacy."
"[Susan Rice’s comments] reflect an imperfect understanding of our system of government and our constitution. Certainly, there’s a role for the Congress in foreign policy and national security affairs. Iran is a critical issue and Israel is an important ally, and there is nothing inappropriate at all for the speaker to invite the prime minister or for the prime minister to come over."
I think the [Obama] administration is making a statement that they don’t want anything to intervene in their negotiations with Iran, and they are probably understandably apprehensive that Prime Minister Netanyahu will come and talk about this subject in a way that is not consistent with what their aspirations are for a deal with Iran. Therefore, they have said things that are undiplomatic and inconsistent with the relationship between our two countries and its importance… I’m really amazed at the rudeness, at the undiplomatic way this administration is handling this issue. '
"[The Obama administration’s attitude] is unfortunate because it damages, or appears to damage, the relationship with an important ally for the United States. I think it is exactly what the Iranians are happy to hear—it has to be encouraging for them. But it is also unprofessional. I think the rest of the nations of the world look at the administration’s behavior in this matter and see the damage that has been done to one of our important relationships. It is not in any sense permanent damage because this administration is in its waning years, but I think that other countries will inevitably wonder how reliable an ally this administration is."
Donald Rumsfeld, former American Secretary of Defence

Obama and Netanyahu during the U.S. president's visit in Israel, March 20, 2013. Photo by Bloomberg

"It appears that they have given up on that commitment [U.S.-Israel alliance] and are accepting that Iran will gradually, within a few years develop capabilities to produce material for many nuclear weapons. They might accept this but I am not willing to accept this."
"I respect the white House, I respect the president of the United States, but in such a fateful matter that can determine if we exist or not, it is my duty to do everything to prevent this great danger to the State of Israel."
"I regret that the invitation to address the special joint session of Congress has been perceived by some to be political or partisan. I can assure you [Democratic senators] that my sole intention in accepting it was to voice Israel's grave concerns [ with the Iran nuclear deal]."
Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress in May 2011, and he's coming back in March – but Vice President Joe Biden (left) won't be there

Neither the president, Barack Obama, nor the vice-president, Joe Biden will meet with Mr. Netanyahu, nor will they attend that joint Congressional session to hear out what Mr. Netanyahu plans to say to explain Israel's position on enabling the Islamic Republic of Iran -- which has threatened repeatedly to destroy Israel -- to have its longed-for nuclear arsenal.  The problem of a nuclear-armed Iran directly affects Israel. The United States looks to its own short- and long-term problems; this administration does not deem Iran a direct and immediate threat to itself.

Evidently, the Iranian Republican Guard naval exercise destroying a replica of an American war ship is an exercise in good neighbourly fun, and nothing to get all excited about. Barack Obama extends a fist to Israel and an open hand to the Islamic Republic of Iran, but that's just the way it is for the present time where an American president has mystified and bedazzled with disbelief his former allies and welcomed with open arms those working diligently against the interests of peace in the world.

In seeking ways to have a counter-effect on Mr. Netanyahu's upcoming address to Congress, along with his separate scheduled speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, President Obama has also decided this year to bypass addressing AIPAC, a powerful lobbying group he has in the past benefited by his presence. Instead, he has sent a very direct and powerfully insulting message to both Mr. Netanyahu/Israel and AIPAC by hosting Qatar's emir at the White House. Photographs of Mr. Obama and Mr. Netanyahu together always show a glowering Mr. Obama.

U.S. President Barack Obama shares some laughs with Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the White House, February 24, 2015. (Image source: C-SPAN video screenshot)

In this photograph Mr. Obama is positively glowing. Qatar, lest anyone need reminding, gives aid and support to Hamas, and is a great admirer of Iran. Its support for the Muslim Brotherhood has enraged Egypt which has cut off diplomatic relations with Qatar for its trouble-making within Egypt, supporting the Islamist terrorist groups assembled in the Sinai Peninsula which have been attacking Egypt's military and police in an effort to restore the Muslim Brotherhood to power there. Mr. Obama has turned American Middle East policy on its head.

Iran and Qatar are in, Israel and Egypt are out, and include Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States, and Jordan in that little re-arrangement. The Muslim Brotherhood has access to the White House and the executive installed therein, however. And it appears that the Obama administration conspires with the Brotherhood to restore it to power, removing President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi whom Egyptians have indicated they far prefer than Mohammad Morsi, whom they rejected, though favoured by Barack Obama in the wisdom of his preferences.

Plans for Mr. Netanyahu's speech had "injected a degree of partisanship" into the traditional U.S.-Israel relationship, a relationship that surmounts politics, according to the national security adviser, Susan Rice. "It's destructive to the fabric of the relationship. It's always been bipartisan. We need to keep it that way." And isn't that odd, since Mr. Netanyahu turned down an invitation to meet privately with Senate Democrats, on the basis of it being perceived to be political or partisan. Whereas his speech will be an address to a joint sitting of Congress.

Who is the hypocrite here?