Perhaps US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have succeeded in containing the differences among them, especially concerning the Iranian nuclear deal. It seems that both leaders aren't willing to get into a diplomatic confrontation, especially not in front TV cameras and press representatives. However, no one can predict whether the handshakes and mutual gestures have turned the page of shaky relations. It is possible that it is simply an expression of a consensus related to common interests.
It seems that Obama and Netanyahu decided to put an end to their tense relations, starting to look for a common language, re-examining sensitive issues in the region. Netanyahu understands the readiness of the White House to get in accord with his right-wing cabinet, despite the severe indignities inflicted upon Barack Obama and his administration. Israeli leader was keen to exploit the US Administration for extra military aid. The local media reported that Netanyahu expects a raise of $5 billion annually in military aid. Meanwhile, the White House plans to use this funding to support the 2016 Democratic Presidential Campaign in order to prove that Obama administration can outdo previous Republican administrations in its support of the Israel.
I thought President Obama said he didn't do joint press events with leaders running for re-election. Just Israel's @netanyahu, I guess.
— Andrea Tantaros (@AndreaTantaros) November 24, 2015
Away from the cameras, it seems that Netanyahu has gotten his demands fulfilled. The US signed a new agreement with Israel for a period of 10 years to come, which will come into force before 2017, when the current deal expires. According to the Israeli media, the new agreement will enable Israel to acquire Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft and 33 Boeing F-15 multirole fighters, in addition to high-precision ammo, and other weapons.
US military aid recipients, 1946-2010 (billion): 1. Israel: $123.3 2. Vietnam: $74.8 3. Egypt: $57 4. Turkey: $40.5 5. S Korea: $39.4
— The Int'l Spectator (@intlspectator) November 30, 2015
As far as political aspects, US leader showed an absolute bias for Israel, saying that the country's security remains a top priority, and went on to condemn vigorously of what he called — the “Palestinian violence against innocent Israelis,” going on to say “that Israel has not just the right, but the obligation to protect itself,” clearing the way for Netanyahu to say that he has not given up on the idea of “two states for two peoples, a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes a Jewish state.”
On the questions of security and intelligence, one of the basis of US-Israeli relations is the military assistance provided by the White House, which is not just an important part of Washington's commitment to Israel's security, but also an important part of US's security infrastructure in the region, stressing that “they are working together against terrorism and other security threats.”
“In light of the ongoing chaos in Syria and in the region, the meeting was an opportunity to discuss the conflict,” Netanyahu directly announced that he had requested that Washington in the Vienna talks on Syria should take Israeli interests into consideration. It's not clear weather there is a settlement on the horizon, as long as Washington confirms that there is no room left for the this, at least in the remaining period of the current Democratic administration.
