For Times, Perception is Reality

"Netanyahu to Meet Obama as U.S. Priorities Shift"
A8, Friday 5/15/09,
By Mark Landler

On both the U.S.—Israel relationship, and on Arab-Israeli peace, perception is reality for the Times.

This relationship, stated as fact, has become “unsettled”. In reality, the two country’s leaders have yet to meet and policy has not changed, no matter how many pundits and observers are unsettled.

Stated is former President George W. Bush offering “unstinting” support of Israel. This was a “hallmark” of his administration. In reality, Bush made a Palestinian state the cornerstone of U.S. policy in the region, publicly and privately urged Israel to dismantle settlements and outposts and denied the overflight rights and weapons Israel requested in dealing with Iran.

Stated are both countries having “sharply different” ways of dealing with Iran. Obama is “asking for time to pursue its diplomatic overture to Tehran; the Israelis are warning that they will not stand by while the Iranians build a nuclear bomb.” This Israeli warning doesn’t contradict Obama’s agenda. In fact, Israel has stated that it agrees with Obama about engaging Iran, but has consistently warned of Iran’s exploiting the engagement. Landler himself makes these points in subsequent paragraphs.

Martin Indyk is cited, speaking on whether Netanyahu and Obama can find common ground on Iran. “Without that, he said, it would be hard to imagine the Israeli government’s making progress on negotiations with either the Palestinians or its Arab neighbors.”

So if common ground is found on Iran, it would not be hard to imagine Israel progress on negotiations with neighbors committed to its demise. If Israel believes that Iran is a threat to its existence, General Jones feels it should pursue talks with the Palestinians. In reality, Israel has time and again pursued talks with the Palestinians, an entity that has time and again articulated its opposition to Israel’s permanence.

If only Israel lived in the reality of politicians, pundits and publishers.