Israel Votes...Their Destiny Is with Netanyahu and Post-Obama America

"Any terms that world powers grant Iran under a nuclear deal will be sought by Saudi Arabia and other countries, risking wider proliferation of atomic technology." ~~~~~ Are these the words of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netahyahu, trying to stir up voters before tomorrow's parliamentary elections in Israel? NO. They are the words of a senior Saudi prince, warning the world in a BBC interview today. Prince Turki al-Faisal, who has previously served as head of Saudi intelligence and as Riyadh's ambassador to Washington and London said : "I've always said whatever comes out of these talks, we will want the same." Saudi Arabia sees Iran as its regional rival and fears that an atomic deal would permit Teheran to gain a nuclear weapon and ease political pressure on Iran, giving it more space to back Arab proxies opposed by the Kingdom. ~~~~~ Iran and the international community seem headed toward a nuclear deal that Netanyahu fears could destroy Israel. He also sees a resolution to the Palestinian issue as distant as ever because Palestinian Authority leader Mahoud Abbas demands that Israel withdraw to the pre-1967 war borders before talks begin -- a demand impossible for Israel because it would divide Jerusalem and expose the country to close range attack from Syria, which would thereby control the Golan Heights. Because US President Obama agrees with Abbas, the world mindlessly turns more and more against Israel's reasonable position. Netanyahu's focus on Israel's many security challenges -- he has long called for zero tolerance of terrorism and supported Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, which the opposition and the outside world detest -- stem from his desire to provide defensible borders for Israel in any peace accord. Netanyahu said in his speech to the US Congress earlier this month : "We are no longer scattered among the nations, powerless to defend ourselves." His stern rhetorical style, often compared to Churchill, fell on very receptive ears in Congress. The style has served him well during a three-decade career that has included time at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, as ambassador to the United Nations, a series of senior Cabinet posts and a stint as opposition leader. He has spent a total of nine years as prime minister since 1996. ~~~~~ But, after enjoying a surge of popularity following last summer's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu is struggling. Despite his speech to Congress, his efforts to halt the Iranian nuclear program - which he describes as the mission of his lifetime - appear to be stumbling, since the US seems determined to make a deal with Iran at any cost to its or the world's future safety. The speech, delivered over White House objections, has worsened an already troubled relationship with President Obama, a relationship not likely to change in the final two years of Obama's term, no matter who is elected. While he is seen by the Israeli public as the candidate more suitable to be prime minister, based on his image as the "responsible adult" running the country, the gap between him and his main rival, Isaac Herzog, is closing, according to the last pre-election opinion polls. Israelis vote for parties not individual candidates, so Herzog could be given the first chance to put together a majority coalition in the 120-member parliament. A poor finish for Likud could set the stage for an internal party coup. Yoaz Hendel, Netanyahu's chief spokesman from 2011 to 2012, said his former boss can point to key accomplishments : he built a fence along the Egyptian border that has halted an influx of African migrants, he helped guide Israel through the aftermath of the 2008 world financial crisis, his warnings about Iran's nuclear program - and threats to attack it - pushed the issue on the international stage. But Hendel believes that if Netanyahu leaves office, he would not be satisfied with the outcome of the two most pressing issues : Iran's nuclear program and the lack of resolution with the Palestinians. When asked about his legacy, Netanyahu answered, "You are being judged on your record." ~~~~~ Netanyahu has attacked what he calls funding "from abroad" of an activist group which has pushed for Netanyahu's ouster. The activist group OneVoice, which says none of its US State Department grants are being used in Israel. OneVoice is working with V15, a grassroots anti-Netanyahu Israeli activist group, in building online lists, voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives. OneVoice's president is Jeremy Bird, President Obama's former national field director in the 2012 reelection campaign effort, raising serious questions about the reality of Barack Obama's official veil of neutrality in the Israeli election. ~~~~~ At his last large conservative rally in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu warned : "This is a fateful struggle, a close struggle. We must close this gap. We can close this gap," which met with roaring applause from his supporters. "We will preserve Jerusalem's unity in all its parts. We will continue to build and fortify Jerusalem so that its division won't be possible and it will stay united forever," Netanyahu said : "Likud's victory is the only thing that can ensure the continuation of a national leadership and will prevent the establishment of a left-wing government." Netanyahu, who emphasized his support for east Jerusalem settlement construction, called the potential for a government led by Zionist Union leaders Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni "a real danger." Meanwhile, Herzog has been rising in the polls on a campaign that promises to repair ties with the Palestinians and the international community and also bring relief to the country's struggling middle class. Herzog talks about a "crucial" vote for the country. ~~~~~ Dear readers, I cannot recall a foreign election that is so important both for its own citizens and for the United States. And its three themes are critical worldwide -- the US-Israel relationship that is the linchpin of democratic and pro-West alliances in the Middle East; the US-led P5+1 negotiations with Iran over its nuclear weapons capability, in an atmosphere of Iranian aggression toward its sunni Arab neighbors and Israel; and peace between Israel and Palestine, whose success is key for Middle East stability. US Secretary of State John Kerry's recent comment that he hopes whoever wins the Israeli elections, it will lead to the revival of the peace process shows that he remains oblivious - or indifferent - to the reality in the Middle East, particularly concerning the Palestinians, who are today divided into two camps -- one, Hamas, that wants to destroy Israel through terrorism and jihad, and the other, the Abbas Palestinian Authority, whose international program aims to delegitimize and isolate Israel, forcing it to its knees. As Kerry was talking about the revival of the peace process, Hamas announced that it has completed preparations for the next confrontation with Israel, including rebuilding its tunnels near the Israel border. And we now see an influential Saudi prince, the brother of the Kingdom's Foreign Minister, support Netanyahu's position that the Obama nuclear deal with Iran will lead to a Middle East nuclear arms race. In addition, war-weary Israelis seem to be following the left's siren song -- just negotiate a peace with Palestine and all will be well. Nothing could be more wrongheaded. Now is the time for Israel to stand tough, to turn away from fairytale promises that say if one side wants peace, it will come. War weary America did that in electing Obama and it has brought the US to its knees. But, America has understood. It is facing down Obama and his dangerous Iranian and Middle East policies. The re-election of Likud and Netanyahu will help America, even as it protects Israel from the existential threats lurking behind the election campaign ideas of leftist Israeli politicians. We have only 18 months to wait for our liberation from Barack Obama's foolhardy policies. Stay the course with America and with your own destiny.