07 July 2010 | An Unshakeable Bond

What theatrical bullshit.

Mr. Netanyahu of Israel goes to Washington and has his photo-op with President Obama, a nicely done piece of theatrical bullshit with smiles, handshakes, lunch and of course, the American president declaring the unshakeable bond between the two countries.

We've seen this dance before and it will result, as usual, in nothing.

I understand the importance of saving face, making good and having your best bud next to you while in front of a gaggle of reporters. But if the bullshit that comes from these meetings could be harnessed for energy, America wouldn't need to come with novel ideas like wind or solar energy: you could power a city with what comes out of D.C. when it comes to Israel.

And I've read during the past few months of American Jews' "uncomfortableness" with the current Israeli government. Well, I certainly don't believe a word of it because you don't see that pressure working on the Israelis to do something more concrete with the Palestinians than pouring more concrete for new settlements. (The bogus "moratorium" on settlements is expected to expire in September, and guess what? No progress on any front will be made until around the same time. What a fucking coincidence.)

As I cannot read the mind of Obama or anyone in his administration, I can't even begin to guess what the overall strategy is here, other than there doesn't seem to be one. While America can't tell Israel what to do, it sure as hell can't influence or pressure them beyond the usual bullshit that creeps up every now and then. And it's especially maddening to see Obama laud Netanyahu for easing some of the Gaza blockade as if some incredible sacrifice has taken place. We're right back where we started from, Mr. President: how the hell do you call this progress?