Israel-U.S. heated exchange over Iran: "It was candid, substantive...this is the way friends talk to one another," says Israeli ambassador
Whether you were watching the Republican or Democrat conventions during the last two weeks, America's commitment to Israel was a major issue. Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney accused the Obama administration of throwing Israel under the bus.
Democrats were criticized for removing language supporting Jerusalem being the capital of Israel in their party's platform. The Democratic National Convention later reinstated the language and President Obama addressed the U.S. commitment to Israel during his speech to the convention.
"Our commitment to Israel's security must not waver, and neither must our pursuit of peace," said President Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention.
The Obama administration has often said that both nations are on the same page on Iran, but behind the scenes Congressman Mike Rogers (R-MI) said there is tension between the two countries.
In a radio interview with Detroit radio station WJR, Rogers, chairman of the House intelligence committee said at an August 24 intelligence cooperation session in Israel that there was a heated exchange between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Ambassador Dan Shapiro.
Rogers said Netanyahu does not believe the Obama administration will take actions against Iran in order to prevent them from getting a nuclear weapon. Netanyahu is losing patience with what he sees as uncertainty coming from the U.S. on the Iranian nuclear threat.
Shapiro dismissed the account and told reporters the meeting was 'friendly and professional.'
Michael Oren, Israeli ambassador to the U.S. was at the same meeting with Rep. Rogers and Ambassador Shapiro and he is OutFront tonight.
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Could this be why the film industry has spent millions putting a paranoid anti Obama film in the theaters? Some people need to decide to what country they owe their allegiance.
When has it become OK for Israel to dictate how the US handles it's foreign policy? I find it offensive when Mitt Romney & the media keep talking about the US obligation to Israel. The US has and will be Israel's best friend. No one else gives them as much aid or support around the world, even though the lack of a meaningful peace in the middle east hurts the US.
The US decides what course of action is best for the US and not Israel. Our President will do what's best for us.
In this instance it is a matter of how fair and reasonable. I dislike Obama, but his foreign policy is OK. And all presidents for the last hundred years, if not more have been nothing more than self serving politicians.