Olmert: U.S.-Israeli relations will grow even stronger under Obama

[oberliner]

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday congratulated U.S. President Barack Obama upon his inauguration, saying he expects Israeli-American relations
to become even stronger.

"We wish the incoming President success in his office and are certain that we will be full partners in advancing peace and stability in the Middle East," Olmert said in a statement.

"The greatest democracy in the world has again proven that it is a beacon and example for many countries," he said. "The entire State of Israel rejoices with the United States and welcomes President Obama."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1057137.html

[leftchick]

1. great

more eternal wars. :eyes:

[azurnoir]

2. Olmert

"The greatest democracy in the world has again proven that it is a beacon and example for many countries," he said. "The entire State of Israel rejoices with the United States and welcomes President Obama."

like last weeks UN vote for instance?
Not to mention it does seem that Tzipi was in an awful hurry to get a last minute signature last week doesn't it, especially when no representative of the country that would be the recipient of our "benevolence" was present.What was the hurry fear that Obama might actually want to include that country in the decision?

[bemildred]

3. Mr Olmert's speech is interesting.

To the extent that it is not boilerplate, it tells you what his concerns are. I'm starting to think it was suggested to Olmert that the IDF ought to be out of Gaza by the time of the inauguration. It was kind of funny how all of a sudden it was "whoops we're done", and "we're going to get right the heck out now". I doubt Israel has anything much to fear in terms of Obama being their enemy, not supporting them, but I doubt that he will put up with these tantrums.

[azurnoir]

4. But Sir were you really surprised ?

for me the "withdrawn by" date was a given from day 1 on December 27

[delad]

5. Obvious from the moment it started n/t

[bemildred]

7. I am always surprised ...

I understand your argument, and yet right up until the rhetoric changed, it was belligerent as usual. But that is to be expected too. But it does seem to me that I would want to be less abrupt about it; it looks better that way, but then there is the withdrawal from Lebanon (the first one) which was also done somewhat abruptly. So in my defense, I would say I was not "surprised", but I noticed the way it was done.

[azurnoir]

8. OK I will admit that how close it came was a bit

surprising I expected more ah subtlety about it a couple of days earlier perhaps.

[Poll_Blind]

6. Indeed.

PB

[burythehatchet]

9. Bullshit. Obama is clearly not an idiot.

[Shaktimaan]

11. Exactly why it's probably true.

I mean, who has been the most popular US president in Israel within recent history? Clinton. GWB supported Israel but he was clearly a novice to the ME political situation, (or any political situation for that matter.)

I don't think the past 8 years have done much to bring Israel and the US closer together, do you? Because Obama understands the situation it stands to reason that it will only strengthen Israeli/US relations. But a certain amount of it is also probably just hopeful political soothsaying.

[IndianaGreen]

10. But Obama can't pardon you Ehud!

Isn't it about time you go to jail for corruption, buddy?