Israel Says "No!" to Joe, Abbas Says "Yes" to Israel

While V-P Joe Biden surely felt diplomatically sandbagged by Israel's announcing new East Jerusalem settlements upon his arrival, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas assented to talks, despite his prior pledge not to negotiate with Israel unless settlements were frozen.  So what did Biden do, and what might Team Obama do, as payback to Israel?....

Biden, perhaps in partial payback, was 90 minutes late for his private dinner with Israeli PM Netanyahu.  Advantage to Israel. teaching America two lessons: (1) siding with the Palestinians in 2008 carries costs; (2) Israel will not cave in to US pressure.  As more payback, Team Obama may take a tougher line on Israel, writes Simon Tisdall in the Guardian UK.

Bottom Line.  Israel's action was understandable, given how Team Obama jumped all over it even before its new PM took office, given Palestinian intransigence.  Team Obama is too weak, probably, to hurt Israel directly, but its desire not to help Israel is now greater.  If Team Obama lightens up on Iran due to pique at Israel, it will flunk Strategy 101.

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