Republicans in the Florida congressional delegation piled on President Barack Obama after reports emerged this week of increasing tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Disagreeing with Obama on talks with Iran over that nations nuclear program and over a Palestinian state, the Israeli prime minister won re-election in parliamentary elections on Tuesday night. But tensions between Obama and Netanyahu continue to rise. Earlier this month, Netanyahu spoke to Congress at U.S. House Speaker John Boehners, R-Ohio, request. Next week, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough will speak to J Street, a group which has been critical of Netanyahu.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest pledged the unprecedented security cooperation between the United States and Israel, including our strong military and intelligence relationships, will continue and insisted Obama is committed to continuing that important security cooperation.
But Earnest insisted the Whtie House continued to back a two-state solution with Palestine
It has been the longstanding policy of the United States that a two-state solution is the best way to address this conflict, primarily because it is in the security interest of the Israeli people -- again, in the view of the United States. It is in the best interest of the Israeli people because it would be the best way to resolve the very legitimate security concerns that they have, Earnest said.
The United States also happens to believe, and the president also happens to believe, that this would be the best way to resolve the situation, this conflict in a way that satisfies the concerns of the Palestinian people as well, Earnest added. They seek a sovereign, independent state. This solution also has the benefit of best addressing the stability of the region; that this ongoing conflict has contributed to instability throughout the region and that addressing this conflict by establishing a Jewish independent state of Israel living side by side in peace and security with a sovereign, independent Palestinian state is the best way to defuse regional tensions as well.
Of course, it's not going to solve every problem, but we know that this ongoing conflict does serve to inflame tensions around the region and promote instability, Earnest continued. And it has long been the policy of the United States and it continues to be the view of the president that a two-state solution is the best way to address those tensions and address that instability.
But reports emerged that the White House is looking at going to the U.N. Security Council to pressure Israel on an agreement with the Palestinians. That drew a sharp rebuke from U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., the chairwoman of the U.S. House Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee.
The reason for the lack of progress on a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians is because of the destructive actions of the Palestinian Authority that have undermined the peace process," Ros-Lehtinen said on Thursday. For over two decades now, the U.S., Israel, the Europeans and others have tried to negotiate a peaceful settlement with the Palestinian leadership, only to get rebuffed at every single turn. Abu Mazen is now in his 10th year of a five-year term as the leader of the Palestinian Authority, and in that time it has been his intransigence and unwillingness to recognize Israels right to exist in peace as the Jewish state that has prevented progress toward a mutually agreeable resolution.
Instead of threatening our closest ally with sanctions or suggesting that we will support the Palestinian initiatives at the U.N., President Obama should be holding Abu Mazen accountable for reaching a unity government with Hamas, pushing a U.N. Security Council resolution instead of negotiating directly with the Israelis, joining the ICC, and threatening to end security assistance with Israel, Ros-Lehtinen said. Abu Mazen has never had any intention to reach an agreement with the Israelis, and has suffered no consequences from the Obama administration for his actions which have greatly undermined the peace process. The presidents time would be better spent using his bully pulpit to leverage a change in the Palestinian leadership than to press our ally into a bad and dangerous situation But rest assured, Congress and the American people stand overwhelmingly with Israel and support its right to exist, to defend itself, and be recognized as the democratic Jewish state.
Ros-Lehtinen wasnt the only Republican from Florida calling out Obama on Israel on Thursday. U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., slammed Obamas handling of Israel.
I find it ironic and deeply disappointing that this president would jeopardize the relationship with our strongest ally in the region over divisive campaign rhetoric, Miller said on Thursday. Israel has a right to defend itself against those countries and individuals wishing to do it harm. I also find it troubling that the president seems willing to unravel the deep-seated alliance and friendship with Israel because the will of the Israeli people does not fit neatly into the presidents agenda and world view. With seven out of 10 Americans favorably viewing Israel, President Obama certainly does not speak for the vast majority of the American people.
Israel provides a beacon of hope in a corner of the world marred by darkness, evil, and death. It is critical that we provide the support needed to help protect the sovereignty of Israel and the right of its people to defend themselves from terrorism and the threat of a nuclear Iran, Miller added. I hope President Obama will reconsider his administrations inflammatory rhetoric regarding Americas relationship with Israel and continue the support of one of our closest allies.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
