Steven J. Rosen is the director of the Forum’s Washington Project. From 1982-2005, he was a top official in the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Prior to 1982, he taught political science and international relations at the University of Pittsburgh, Brandeis University, and the Australian National University. On 21 April, he addressed the Middle East Forum via conference call on the subject of U.S.-Israel relations.
Mr. Rosen argued that Obama’s upcoming “American Plan” for the peace process, which will be more or less identical to the Clinton Parameters, will eventually fail because Israel takes “risks for peace” only when the Israeli public and government feel that there is someone they can trust in the White House. And Obama’s “quarrel” with Israel has taken away that sense of trust. Indeed, Netanyahu embodies the Israeli public’s sentiment that there are no negotiating parties with whom they can work.
Mr. Rosen also discussed the Iranian nuclear program in this context. While the administration and Israel agree on the threat it poses, Obama does not appear to be putting into effect any plans to stop Iran.
Asked about what Congress has done regarding Obama’s pressure on Israel, Mr. Rosen pointed to the fact that 333 members of Congress have signed a letter expressing concern over the recent tension in U.S.-Israel relations. Nonetheless, in his view, the signatories did not include enough Democrats, who tend to side with the administration.
In response to a question about the Arab countries’ fear of the Iranian nuclear program, Mr. Rosen affirmed that in private meetings some Arab officials have been quite blunt in stating that they would tolerate a successful Israeli strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities and that Obama is not taking the Iranian threat “seriously enough.”
Summary written by Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi.
