Minister Uzi Landau (Likud) wrote a scathing op-ed piece for today’s (Sunday) Haaretz newspaper. The article, entitled “Our American friends are disappointed with us,” addressed the fact that many of Israel’s most ardent supporters in the U.S. feel betrayed. Dr. Landau stated that an Israel willing to backtrack on all previous declarations regarding the need to fight- and not give in to - terrorism, undermines and disappoints Israel’s strongest supporters in the U.S.
"Explain why your government is surrendering to terror," Landau reports hearing from more than one visiting American Republican. "There has never been such sympathy for Israel on Capitol Hill and understanding of its needs. There has not been any pressure by the administration on Israel. On the contrary. During Bush's years in office it was possible to win American support for a determined fight against terror, for preventive action. Someone on your side failed big when it came to understanding the administration and Congress in Washington... You missed a rare opportunity to leverage the centers of support in post-9/11 America."
“Israel's sworn friends are embarrassed, confused and find it difficult to deal with what they understand to be the country's feebleness,” Landau continues. “For years I have maintained close contact with Senators, Congressmen, Administration officials and leading journalists - some of whom were student colleagues of mine at MIT in Boston.”
Minister Landau says that not only are these supporters of Israel disappointed, but that Israel’s perceived weakness in the face of terrorism has actually cost Israel support. “Up until recently, those Senators and Representatives would have laid down on the fence for us, fought for whatever we defined as a red line,” Landau wrote. But now Landau says that many of these people turn to him and say, "We fought, and you surrendered. You don't have any more red lines."
“Now they doubt our determination, our commitment to the war on terror, and they doubt the strategic judgment of the country's leaders,” Landau wrote.
The Likud minister went on, lamenting the lack of understanding of the U.S. political system among Israel’s politicians. “They don't understand Washington in Israel,” he wrote. “They hear Congressmen and think MKs. The truth is that the power of a Senator, a Representative, is much greater than that of any MK. A Senate committee is not the same as a Knesset committee. Their authority has teeth. They can approve or disapprove a budget and legislation that would prevent the Administration from executing a policy. In times of need, when administrations in Washington wanted to apply pressure on us, they struggled on our behalf. Often they succeeded. And now they are disappointed with us.”
Landau highlights the absurdity of what has become Israel’s message to American policymakers. “They [Israeli policymakers] go to an America where the slogan is undying war against terror and instead speak of the fatigue of the Israeli public; the need to concede. Instead of forcefully demanding what Israel deserves, they knuckle under to Palestinian demands. Instead of speaking of Israeli justice, they present Israel as inferior - morally, politically and strategically. They want to be liked and win the opposite result. They speak good English, but don't understand the American language.”
At last week’s three-day Jerusalem Conference organized by the B’Sheva newspaper, Dr. Rand Fishbein, former Professional Staff Member of the U.S. Senate Defense Appropriations and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittees, delivered a similar message. “The planned Gaza retreat has undercut Israel’s strongest supporters in the Congress who believe that any retreat in the face of terrorism only encourages more terrorism,” lamented Fishbein. “Israel must continue to stand tall and resolute – commanding the respect of the world through its tenacious defiance of its enemies.”
"Explain why your government is surrendering to terror," Landau reports hearing from more than one visiting American Republican. "There has never been such sympathy for Israel on Capitol Hill and understanding of its needs. There has not been any pressure by the administration on Israel. On the contrary. During Bush's years in office it was possible to win American support for a determined fight against terror, for preventive action. Someone on your side failed big when it came to understanding the administration and Congress in Washington... You missed a rare opportunity to leverage the centers of support in post-9/11 America."
“Israel's sworn friends are embarrassed, confused and find it difficult to deal with what they understand to be the country's feebleness,” Landau continues. “For years I have maintained close contact with Senators, Congressmen, Administration officials and leading journalists - some of whom were student colleagues of mine at MIT in Boston.”
Minister Landau says that not only are these supporters of Israel disappointed, but that Israel’s perceived weakness in the face of terrorism has actually cost Israel support. “Up until recently, those Senators and Representatives would have laid down on the fence for us, fought for whatever we defined as a red line,” Landau wrote. But now Landau says that many of these people turn to him and say, "We fought, and you surrendered. You don't have any more red lines."
“Now they doubt our determination, our commitment to the war on terror, and they doubt the strategic judgment of the country's leaders,” Landau wrote.
The Likud minister went on, lamenting the lack of understanding of the U.S. political system among Israel’s politicians. “They don't understand Washington in Israel,” he wrote. “They hear Congressmen and think MKs. The truth is that the power of a Senator, a Representative, is much greater than that of any MK. A Senate committee is not the same as a Knesset committee. Their authority has teeth. They can approve or disapprove a budget and legislation that would prevent the Administration from executing a policy. In times of need, when administrations in Washington wanted to apply pressure on us, they struggled on our behalf. Often they succeeded. And now they are disappointed with us.”
Landau highlights the absurdity of what has become Israel’s message to American policymakers. “They [Israeli policymakers] go to an America where the slogan is undying war against terror and instead speak of the fatigue of the Israeli public; the need to concede. Instead of forcefully demanding what Israel deserves, they knuckle under to Palestinian demands. Instead of speaking of Israeli justice, they present Israel as inferior - morally, politically and strategically. They want to be liked and win the opposite result. They speak good English, but don't understand the American language.”
At last week’s three-day Jerusalem Conference organized by the B’Sheva newspaper, Dr. Rand Fishbein, former Professional Staff Member of the U.S. Senate Defense Appropriations and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittees, delivered a similar message. “The planned Gaza retreat has undercut Israel’s strongest supporters in the Congress who believe that any retreat in the face of terrorism only encourages more terrorism,” lamented Fishbein. “Israel must continue to stand tall and resolute – commanding the respect of the world through its tenacious defiance of its enemies.”