Cartoon 732: Leverage

America has been fortunate to have a private military and cloak and digger force in the form of the Israeli. It has allowed Administrations and Congress deniability and to keep their hands clean.

In 2002 the media carried stories of the Israel Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, “thumbing his nose at Bush” and failing to adhere to American directives. At some point over the next several years the previous prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, paid a visit to Washington hosted by prominent Republican Congressmen. Shortly thereafter Ariel Sharon had a stroke and has been in a coma every since.

America finds itself in a difficult situation. The policies of Israel under Benjamin Netanyahu is a problem for American middle eastern activities. Israel has refused to moderate its activities. The Administration has distanced itself from Israel. Israel would never have been subjected to the outcry and forced actions over the Turkey Gaza flotilla if there had been concerted American support. But robust American support exacerbates adverse reaction to American Middle East activities.

Benjamin Netanyahu is weighting how to use leverage to force America to block international reactions to its actions. Israel has amassed a book of American unauthorized and illegal acts not sanctioned by congress or international agreements. If Israel plays this hand there will be collateral damage. The majority of the actions were by Republicans. Republicans are their strongest supporters. Also it will likely open investigations that will tarnish the image of the Republican hero, Ronald Reagan.