Editorial The news that relations between Israel and Washington have now apparently sunk to a new low, has been greeted by some in Israel with a "so what" attitude apparently oblivious to the reports that US-Israel relations are at a new "35 year low".
The problem is this, the anger experienced by Muslims around the world, stems in part to the perception that the US and the West with support Israel in whatever is in the "interests of Israel", but at the detriment of the Palestinians and the Arabs. The news that Prime Minister Netanyahu is pressing on with the construction of 1,600 homes in occupied East Jerusalem has angered the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the point were diplomats are describing the breakdown in relations at "historic" proportions.
Can Israel really afford to alienate Washington? With over an estimated 7 million Jewish Americans, the United States is home to more Jews than Israel, and with that has developed the most influential lobby group on Capitol Hill. Criticism of Israel is always faced with by robust opposition. Israel is one of the most advanced nations in the world, with one of the most sophisticated military anywhere, but the US government provides around $9 billion a year in loan guarantee's and with that are some conditions.
Never has there been a time when Washington has so publicly condemned Israel as now. Surely the Israeli government will understand that in a region when it is faced with so many hostile forces, an ever growing Iranian threat, rampant Islamic fundamentalism, and a total breakdown of links with Turkey, Israel needs America as never before?
Israelis must "neutralise" the manipulation of the Palestinian issue with some compromises that will provide the long term security Israel has been looking for. By uprooting Palestinians, to build new homes for Israeli's in East Jerusalem will provoke more anger, and more protests.
