They Deserve Each Other

The tough-talking Israeli Defense Minister has put a strain in his country's relationship with the U.S., its "last good friend in the world", according to an American official. Probably, the only good friend in a world that has come more and more to repudiate Israel's abusive and outrageous actions against the Palestinians. The man has publicly and repeatedly insulted and made fun of the American Secretary of State. His later apologies ring hollow.

The U.S. support of Israel has been so extreme for so long, that Israel feels that it can get away with anything and everything. Even when the Americans publicly call on them to change their ways in some fashion, the Israelis do what they please, knowing that there won't be any consequences. The U.S. frequently applies sanctions of some sort to other countries, but never to Israel. Thus Israel's disregard for American policy entreaties. It feels that it has the U.S. in its pocket, regardless.

Had the U.S. had a balanced approach toward Israel from the beginning, it would have had a better chance of being respected.

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