Israeli Ambassador: ‘Tectonic Shift’ between Israel and U.S. Diplomats
Roskam Visit to Israel Next Week
From the Press Shop of Congressman Peter Roskam (R, ILL): In case it wasn’t already obvious, Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren made it clear this weekend. As reported by Laura Rozen at Politico: “Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren is reported to have told Israeli diplomats that the U.S. and Israel are experiencing a “tectonic rift,” not a temporary crisis… According to the Israeli diplomats, Oren said … ’Relations are in the state of a tectonic rift in which continents are drifting apart,’”…. Oren noted that contrary to Obama’s predecessors – George W. Bush and Bill Clinton – the current president is not motivated by historical-ideological sentiments toward Israel but by cold interests and considerations…”
Most would agree that it’s in America’s ‘interests and considerations’ to keep America’s best ally in the volatile Middle East close and secure. Israel and America’s common enemies won’t be convinced to lay down their weapons because the President appears to want to distance himself from Israel. Instead, they’ll be encouraged.
Next week, on July 6th, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with the President in D.C., a summit whose location (coat closet or Oval Office?) and media availability will be interesting to note. Later that week, Rep. Roskam, the co-chair of the Republican Israel Caucus, will lead a Congressional delegation to Israel and meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials, as well as the Palestinian Prime Minster Salam Fayyad.
Roskam spent last week on the house floor pushing for passage of Iran sanctions and hosted a bi-partisan briefing lauding the success of the U.S. – Israel Free Trade Agreement.
Congressman Roskam will be meeting with the following Israeli officials and dignitaries on his trip:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
- Salam Fayyad, Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority
- Tzipi Livni, Head of the Opposition
- Maj. General Amos Yedlin, Head of Military Intelligence
- Brig. General (Res.) Eival Giladi
- David Horovitz, Editor-in-chief, The Jerusalem Post