Israel Becomes a Senior Partner of US Right in Fight against Obama

There are important indicators of a serious clash at the very top of the imperialist forces in the US. In the most general terms, we are talking of a split between the realist camp led by Obama and between the adventurist camp headed by the Republicans in Congress, including the TEA Party elements and the Christian fundamentalist sects. This clash is, of course, really the product of a complex process. Even as we are witness to rising tensions between the camps, it is worth noting that there is a serious level of agreement on many issues.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama holding a joint press conference at the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem. March 20, 2013

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama holding a joint press conference at the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem. March 20, 2013 (Photo: GPO)

In the background, we have a clear decline in the economic and political power of the US, a decline in both relative and absolute terms. We take note of the increased competition from China, the inability of the US to convince its allies to fight (and die) for narrow US interests. One of the salient results is the US decision to stay away from any battle that involves US boots on the ground. Here and there, Obama will advance some positive initiative, such as improved relations with Cuba or action against global warming. It is important not to exaggerate the scope or the depth of these policies and to remember that Obama is quite devoted to the defense of US imperial interests.

On the other hand, the right viciously attacks any expression of moderation by Obama in Congress and the media. The extreme right is more and more at home in respectable circles. The reactionary elements are hard at work spreading the dangerous illusion that the US could, if it had the will, solve all its problems by brute force. The struggle around the Iranian deal demonstrates the main lines of conflict between the two forces.

Despite the fact that the US turned cartwheels to prevent the accords from impinging on Israeli interests, Israel saw fit to join the front against Obama and his opponents in the ultra-militarist camp. The prominent presence of Israel as a full and senior partner in central staff of US and international reaction demands a re-evaluation of its role and the dynamic it puts into play.

On the left there is a traditional and understandable tendency to evaluate the role of Israel within the context of the conflict with the Palestinians. Of course, attention was paid to the role of international and regional conditions. International forces were present to help the sides reach an agreement. But there has been a dramatic change in this configuration.  Israel is no longer a local actor and must be seen as a force operating from the very nerve center of international conflict.

Organic Participation in Right Wing Politics

In place of the traditional efforts to improve the standing of Israel in the broad avenues of US public policy, Netanyahu initiated a new game with new rules. Israel becomes part of a ruling bloc, and uses its influence in the Jewish world to attach Jewry to the new reactionary formation. The goal is a new permanent alliance with US reaction against Obama in its drive to dominate US politics. And if this goal is reached, there is no reason that it should not become a new instrument in the US political arena. Over time, it will be considered natural that Israel will participate in shaping policy in other issues such as the budget, new strategic alliances and the control of financial activity all over the globe. The symbolic link between Netanyahu and Edelson becomes the prototype for reproducing additional reactionary administrative nerve centers far from Israel and the US.

Israel and the US will continue their war against the Shiites with some sort of hazy duplicity regarding ISIS which will eventually be realigned to serve Western interests as a result of pressure from the Gulf states. On the agenda: the elimination of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the destruction of Hamas in the Gaza Strip and most important of all, ending Asad’s rule in Syria. Iran disarmed will be subjected to indirect Israeli control via some less obtrusive international mediator. By this plan Israel will become the chief coordinator of US interests in the region and a major electoral force in internal US politics.

Of course, strong US-Israeli ties are nothing new. So what happened? The first factor is the end of bi-partisanship in international issues. The tradition of bi-partisan cooperation has been shattered. Moreover, the right centers many of its most vitriolic attacks precisely on foreign issues.

In addition there have been significant transformations in the Jewish community.  Not too far back, the overwhelming part of the Jewish community was liberal-progressive and a devoted supporter of the Democratic Party. The hold by the Democratic Party has been severely weakened. In these circumstances, there is an opening for an attempt by Netanyahu to act as the main leader of Jews everywhere. Israel contributes all its political capital to the camp of the right which responds by promising Israel permanent military superiority in the Middle East and a major role in shaping US policy on many issues, even those without any direct links in the region.

Two States – A Vision in Retreat

Instead of the sterile arguments as to the best way to solve the conflict, we must now see the conflict as a function of the struggles in Washington and Israel’s role there. Our value-driven desire to find a solution to the conflict with the Palestinians obscures the reality that no solution whatsoever is on the agenda. In the name of a perspective for a solution we tended to consider Israel as a local society with the right of self determination and hopes for integration into the life of the region. But Israel has found an alternative to peace. Its might and its connections reinforce its vision for the re-colonization of the conflict.  Israel will dominate the Palestinians and other peoples in the region, a regional super-power as it were. The conflict does not disturb Israel’s role as a senior partner in the reactionary right vying for the control of the US. The sad truth is that neither the reactionary right, nor even Obama are particularly interested in seeing Israel live in peace with its neighbors. They prefer an Israel armed to the teeth and taking on the responsibility for heading a Middle East version of NATO. Israel must demonstrate its readiness to fight and rule on a permanent basis.

In the absence of any serious opening for the left and for democratic change in the region, all talk about Israeli-Palestinian peace is, sadly, pure nonsense. This opening for the while is not near. We cannot ignore this fact, because it is so unpleasant. Instead of talking about “two states,” every democrat must struggle against the occupation, the ongoing creation of the Israeli-US partnership.

It is true that we are seeing a series of one defeat after another in the region. On the other hand there is no sign of stability and the social and economic problems of the region become more and more intense. There are increasing signs of economic crisis in Europe, the US and now, the emerging markets –BRICS. But it would be naïve to say that peace is an actual possibility. After all is said and done, the patrons of Israel lack any answer to the challenging problems facing it. In the absence of any progress and change for the better, we are moving towards collective disaster.

Reuven Kaminer

* Reuven Kaminer is veteran Hadash activist