Haaretz on Obama's Reelection
Israel very dependent on America.
by Stephen Lendman
Haaretz devoted most of its November 7 issue to covering it. Doing so reflects the importance of America to Israeli interests.
Netanyahu and Obama don't like each other. Nonetheless, the Israeli prime minister extended congratulatory best wishes, saying:
"The strategic alliance between Israel the U.S. is stronger than ever. I will continue to work with President Obama to protect the security interests of Israeli citizens."
Expect both leaders to continue working with each other normally. Personal likes and dislikes won't interfere. Even when doing so harms US interests, American presidents and Congress yield to Israeli Lobby pressure.
In September, a nonbinding sense of the Senate resolution reminded Obama in case he forgot. At issue was open friction with Netanyahu.
Senators voted 90 - 1 for action against Iran to prevent it developing nuclear weapons. It was a thinly veiled pro-Netanyahu motion. Senators supported him over their own president. It shows the power of Israeli influence in America.
Netanyahu accepted Obama's victory. He expressed certainty of continued US support. It's forthcoming no matter who governs both countries.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak congratulated Obama first, saying:
"I have no doubt that the Obama administration will continue with its policy of supporting Israel's security, and with its effort to confront the obstacles facing all of us in our region, to help advance the political process.""I believe that in the tradition of the deep friendship we have formed with President Obama, we will be able to overcome the difference of positions as much as possible. I wish Obama success in all the tasks before him."
Other Israeli Knesset members and US ambassador Michael Oren extended their own best wishes. Relations between both countries won't change.
Exit polls showed Obama won 69% of America's Jewish vote. Gallup estimated he'd win from 65 - 70%. In 2008, he got nearly 75%.
