Bibi and Obama - Round 1

King Abdullah II of Jordan told the Times of London that Obama's meeting with Netanyahu, is the acid test for the US commitment to ME peace. Obama's commitment to the two-state solution has to be implemented now, as Arabs were 'sick and tired' of promises of a new peace process. Israelis need to sit down not only with the Palestinians but also with the Syrians and Lebanese to settle all issues. He added, The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has become a global problem.

He ended with what many in Israel took to be a threat.

If we delay peace negotiations, then there's going to be another conflict between Arabs or Muslims and Israel in the next 12-18 months.

("Netanyahu-Obama meeting crucial to ME," JP, 11 May 2009)

Here is how some media reported that Bibi-Obama meeting.

France24:

The Israeli PM stood firm...He said he is ready to negotiate with the Palestinians but only if they recognized Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.

AFP: [The] intense first talks...laid bare differing approaches on Iran and the US goal of a Palestinian state. AFP called Bibi's remarks after the meeting blunt and said, an impassioned Netanyahu voiced his fears before reporters that a nuclear-armed Tehran would pose a mortal threat to Israel. ("World Press: Obama Used 'Tough Love,' Bibi Stood Firm," Arutz 7, 19 May 2009)

Israel Today said:

In the post-meeting press conference, Netanyahu maintained his refusal to publicly endorse the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, but repeated that Israel has no desire to rule over millions of hostile Arabs.

Obama made the difference between his and Netanyahu's views clear by telling reporters his government will push hard for the birth of Palestine, urging Netanyahu to grasp hold of this historic opportunity. He also appeared to patronize Netanyahu by saying he knew [Bibi] would eventually rise to the occasion.

In another perceived slight, Obama coolly noted that [Bibi] had been very vocal in his concerns regarding Iran, but insisted the US will not put a timetable on what have so far been pointless efforts to halt Tehran's pursuit of nuclear arms.

Obama was most adamant in his refusal to see the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Iran nuclear crisis as separate issues. He flatly rejected Netanyahu's argument that if there is any link at all between the issues, it is that Israel cannot possibly conclude a final status peace deal with the Palestinians while Iran is building nuclear bombs and emboldening Palestinian terror groups. If there is a linkage...it actually runs the other way, Obama said. To the extent we can make peace...between Palestinians and Israelis - then...it strengthens our hand in the international community in dealing with the potential Iranian threat...

Israel Today concluded, Political spin doctors in both Israel and America, presented the meeting as relaxed and friendly, yet the substance of what the two leaders told the press bespoke a far different reality beneath the surface. ("Netanyahu holds fast against patronizing Obama," Israel Today, 19 May 2009)

Thank God for answering prayers and enabling Bibi to speak truth before one of the world's most popular politicians. Continue to pray that he and Israel's government make decisions that will glorify God.