By Marney Blom
The fifth American president to visit Israel, Barack Obama, made the tiny Zionist state the first foreign destination of his second term.
But why choose Israel? And why now?
“As I begin my second term as president, Israel is the first stop of my first foreign trip,” said the American president above a cacophony of snapping cameras. “I see this visit as an opportunity to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between our nations to restate America’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and to speak directly to the people of Israel and to your neighbours.”
Most Israelis welcomed the American good will gestures.
“I think it’s really cool that he came out,” said David Storfer, a yeshiva student. “The whole state [of Israel] is the size of New Jersey, and the fact that he is coming all the way over here to talk to us and make sure things are going all right, I really appreciate that.”
Though unspoken, the underlying agenda of Obama’s mission to Israel, for some, was obvious. Historically, second term US presidents strive to leave a legacy that includes becoming the first Head of State to solve the Middle East peace crisis. Barack Obama does not appear to be the exception.
“If there is any chance to restart direct negotiations between Palestine and Israel, I would [have] hope,” said Lee Caspi, a sociology student and part-time bartender. “I don’t think [Obama] is just coming to say ‘hi’ to Bibl and have ice cream.”
Zipporah Bennett felt Obama’s visit was a political maneuver.
“He has already made it very clear his leanings in pushing Israel to the very edge of compromise with the Palestinians,” said the Jerusalem composer.
From a solemn holocaust remembrance service at Yad Vashem to an official state dinner a bonding between the two world leaders became apparent.
Netanyahu agreed with the US president that the Iranian nuclear threat is more like one year down the road instead of months away. “If Iran decides to go for a nuclear weapon, that is to actually manufacture the weapon,” responded Netanyahu to a select group of reporters. “… then it will take them about a year.”
Furthermore Netanyahu reaffirmed his strong support of the American president’s assertion that carving out vast portions of Israeli land – the areas of biblical Judea and Samaria – to create a Palestinian state within the Israel is a viable solution to peace.
The timing of President Obama’s visit to Israel a mere two days after the official swearing in of Netanyahu’s newly formed coalition government, raised eyebrows. Was it a coincidence that the American president’s state visit fell on the 10th of Nissan – the same date Jesus, the Prince of Peace, made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem 2000 years ago?
In the city of Jerusalem, the president’s visit brought disruption to everyday life with numerous road blocks and endless traffic jams. A police force of 15,000 officers were called in to enforce the largest security operation since the Pope’s visit in 2009.
“All of our different operation units, including anti-terror units, undercover units, special patrol units, fast response units, are all going to be active and working inside Jerusalem,” said Chief Inspector Micky Rosenfeld, spokesman for the Israel Police.
Clearly one does not take chances when it comes to security in the Middle East.
Time will tell if the United States will make good of its promises to ensure Israel’s continued security. In the meantime, the tiny sole democracy in a volatile region appears to be betting on it.
Marney Blom is news director for the Acts News Network.
Copyright 2013 © Acts News Network, Inc.