"On the Verge of Destruction"

Just last month CNN declared it the "last chance to see" the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and made it the poster child for the world's 25 most "magnificent and endangered" structures.  As you can see from the link (below), these buildings are apparently "on the verge of destruction." it is odd then that Palmyra did not even make their list. This, despite the fact that Palmyra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was already in the Islamic State's hands at the time the article was published. (http://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/30/architecture/gallery/beautiful-buildings-verge-of-destruction/)

This is just one more example of how the Arab-Israeli conflict skews reality. While everyone is focused on what is going on over here in Israel, very important things are happening throughout the Middle East that are not being covered by the news. It is precisely for this reason that no one saw the Arab Spring coming and why the real story of the last decade was happening in the Sunni triangle of Iraq and in the underground bases of Iran. Gaza, Israel, West Bank - this is all a side show to a much bigger drama.

Today the world lost a priceless historical gem that was part of the patrimony of all of mankind. What else will be lost if the West continues with it's head in the sand?

Do Not Disagree with Me!

As each day passes, the Obama administration and President Obama himself ups the rhetoric against anyone who opposes the Iran "deal"/capitulation.  In his latest "presidential" outburst, Obama stated that he does not recall a similar example of a leader of an another country forcefully injecting themselves into the debate that is currently going on in Washington surrounding the "deal"/capitulation.

I will leave it to others to debate whether or not this is unprecedented.  I personally think all of this debate surrounding the agreement is a moot point since he will clearly veto any bill that rejects this deal and there will never be enough votes to override a veto.

That said, and in light of his latest assertions I do think that there are two things that need to be clearly stated:

1) This administration is constantly interfering in Israel's internal affairs, to the point where it tried to inject itself into the recent elections up to and including the subversion of Israeli democracy. I guess it is no fun when the shoe is on the other foot, but somehow I am sure that the US will somehow get over it.

2) The Iranian nuclear bomb is an important issue that Washingtonians need to debate but it is an absolutely  EXISTENTIAL issue for Israelis (and Palestinians, for that matter).  There is literally wall to wall consensus here from every political camp (including the Arab parties) that a nuclear Iran is a threat to this region and that this is a bad deal that will not prevent Iran from going nuclear.  I think that an Israeli Prime Minister who did not try to impact the vote on this issue by making his voice loudly heard would not be worthy of his positions.

So, Obama's protestations of admiration for Israel and commitment to the country's security notwithstanding, it is actually our kids who are on the front lines and our lives that are in harms way. Rather than encourage debate and argue the finer points of this "deal"/capitulation, Obama's imperious approach just comes off as condescending. How dare Israelis oppose his "gift" to us?

Frankly, if Obama had only spent 5% of the energy he is currently using to fend off Israeli objections into forcing the Iranians to agree to the dismantlement of their nuclear program and anytime/anywhere inspections, we would be in a much better place. Sometimes it really is hard to tell who Obama thinks are America's friends and who are its enemies.