As Netanyahu's (Bibi's) trip to Washington comes to an end, I would make the following observations:
1. The peace process is effectively dead. By insisting that any negotiating partner affirm Israel as a Jewish state, Bibi has guaranteed that there will be no negotiating partners. One can only wonder why no previous Israeli government made the same demand.
2. Settlements will continue. Clearly, despite Obama's insistence, Bibi made no promise regarding the settlements. Speaking of the settlements, it's about time to rename "settlements" as "cities" or "villages." Maaleh Adumim, with about 40,000 residents, is a city; it is absurd to call it a "settlement." Obama's declaration that all construction activity (including within the existing cities and villages) be immediately halted is ridiculous on its face and will fall on deaf ears.
3. Obama will do nothing about Iran. He obviously has no understanding of Iran's goals or of its widespread and growing influence. One wonders how "progress" on the Israel-Palestinian front would affect the Iranian sphere of influence which is expanding to Central and South America (read Caroline Glick's excellent article in today's Jerusalem Post). Iran will have nuclear weapons.
4. The government of Israel has definitely changed. Can anyone imagine what would have happened if Livni had met with Obama? With no negotiation, Livni would have agreed to have a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. With no negotiation, Livni would have agreed to Syria's taking of the Golan Heights.
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