Netanyahu deserves the benefit of the doubt

Submitted by Saul Stein, Jan 3, 2017 at 12:12

I agree with almost all of what Mr. Pipes has to say, except that Netanyahu has much more downside risk for the country he leads. He leads a country (Israel) whose very existence for the long term is actually at risk. He isn't concerned so much about trivial things like his legacy or what the NY Times will write about him, but whether his country can survive in the region where it is located and for how long. Obama and Kerry are at best, a couple of "do-gooders" who have far too much respect for their own judgement to listen to our allies in the Middle East or to try and learn from them. After all, doesn't it make sense that Netanyahu has a more rational and fact-based understanding of Palestinian Objectives at t his time? Or the Iranians?

Also, there can be no doubt that Benjamin Netanyahu, whatever his faults, is an Israeli Patriot whose primary concern is to strengthen and sustain his country. There are many (a majority? in the U.S. who have some doubts as to whether Obama or Kerry truly wish good for the country they were elected to serve, or wish to shake it at its foundations. I have some doubts myself.

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