Obama's chutzpah toward Israel will cost him

2010-04-01T16:47:00-04:00

As Jews celebrated Passover this week, many gathered around their Seder tables with angst and anger at President Obama and his administration for their recent startling and shameful treatment of Israel. With Iran's strategic Holy Week muscle-flexing on its nuclear weapons intentions and the fate of Israel in limbo unlike ever before, Obama's impartiality could cost the President his Jewish support.

Tensions are high. Obama recently pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop settlement building in West Jerusalem and encouraged a four-month freeze after Netanyahu - in an unprecedented move - already agreed to stop building on the West Bank as part of concessions with the Palestinians. Obama would be wise to remember that Israel has been building in Jerusalem for 3,000 years; it's not his place to tell it to stop.

Obama's order was followed by a heated phone call from Secretary of State Clinton. She reportedly took a stern tone with Netanyahu, who also fielded harsh words from Vice President Biden when he was in Israel. Next, a chilly reception from Obama at the White House when Netanyahu was in town for an American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference - a stark contrast to the lovefest between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Obama we witnessed this week.

Bailing on one of America's longest and most important allies is bound to have some serious repercussions.

Andrea Tantaros

Obama's chutzpah toward Israel will cost him