For decades Israel has done whatever it pleased with unswerving - and uncritical - American backing. This presidency has moved to a new tack !
There can be only one final outcome to the principal Middle East conundrum - and that is the establishment of parallel Palestinian and Israeli states with secure borders.
That can not happen while Israel simply thumbs it's nose at United Nations resolutions and encourages the establishment of new settlements on land claimed by the Palestinians - and recognised as such by the world body.
America has stabilized Israel with weapons and the umbrella of overall security. There is a huge and powerful Jewish lobby in the US and as a result the United States has turned a blind eye to Israeli excesses and blocked United Nations criticism by using it's veto.
The Muslim world will see America as an enemy as long as this continues, and President Obama has signalled that the time has come for Israel to make drastic changes to accommodate a fairer deal for the Palestinian people.
Unfortunately this comes at a time when Israeli election have veered hard to the right and produced a government less likely to respond to Islamic demands - and so the course is set for confrontation.
The people of Israel can no longer expect to shelter under the American umbrella while they totally ignore legitimate Palestinian expectations. In exchange for security - Israel must now make the concessions necessary to establish a Palestinian state - and the Palestinians must finally recognise Israel's right to exist and live in peace.
Obama has signalled that his administration will accept nothing less !
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