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King's College President Dinesh D'Souza on Obama's views on Israel and the uncertain future of U.S.-Israeli relations.
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We now with more on the president's foreign policy the national -- president of King's College author of the book roots of Obama has -- good to have you -- this Dinesh.
Thank you let's -- first your reaction to what you have seen and heard of the confrontation in the White House between.
Benjamin Netanyahu and the president of the United States.
Well I think that Netanyahu who has been counting on you -- say bipartisan support for Israel.
Can't believe -- the Israelis have kind of suspected this about Obama.
But this is realization of their worst fear is.
I don't think it's a matter that Obama doesn't understand though that he's missing the point of -- negotiations.
I think the real issue is that Obama is not really.
-- friend of Israel.
And this separates -- not only from a lot of Republicans but a lot of Democrats.
But the paradox or Obama eyes that he's counted on strong Jewish economic support.
As well -- political support.
To propel his candidacy and to propel under the presidency so he's taking a risk here but I think he's taking a risk for something he really believes them.
And what is -- And what he believes in my opinion is that Israel.
Is -- kind of occupying power -- neo colonial power that is sitting if you will on Muslim land -- he realized he can ask Israel to get up and go home.
But what he's doing is he's putting more pressure a more aggressive demand on Israel.
And anyone anyone considers politically realistic I mean the Israelis have hundreds of settlements on this territory it was one in battles with the Palestinians that the Muslims started and yet Obama's basically saying give that back.
So Obama is in a sense declaring that he's in a sense on the Palestinian side of this negotiation.
And not only given back -- given back as a condition preceding two -- negotiations that would set forward or the parameters and the borders of of the two states Palestine and Israel.
So did the president here.
With.
We've Benjamin Netanyahu across the steeper can we see that that I'd I'd like to just -- this picture -- Of the two men across from each other.
I mean these these two are effectively combatants.
That -- their body language there attitude the words.
And Netanyahu lecturing this president.
I understand the partisan politics.
I am critical of a number of the president's policies myself.
But did -- Netanyahu in your judgment go too far in both his our response yesterday to the president's speech.
In which he basically said to -- can't.
And today in which he lectured the president and talked about his policies implying clearly that there were a matter of -- I think you're absolutely right in your description of these two guys let's competence they on opposite sides of the spectrum on this Netanyahu is a little bit more obvious in his -- -- -- costs that he.
Obama -- more -- -- He does very tough things while putting a very softer rhetoric on it.
You have to appreciate the difficulty for Israel here because we've been talking about you know the Arab spraying the wonderful democracy but what is -- spring for the Arabs -- a bit of a winter for Israel.
Because it's very likely that Israel's best friend in the Middle East namely Mubarak is now out of there.
And -- more likely to be a more anti Israel and probably more anti American government in Egypt.
So what's happening with its democracy.
Is it is likely to bring -- more anti Israel forces to power in the Arab world.
And then remember Egypt has brokered a peace.
Between Hamas and the form a Palestinian Authority so bringing the Palestinians together it's all bad news for Israel and this is.
Only going to make things worse for them.
And it can't be helpful if lower for the Israelis.
Are to be looking for all the world is up -- -- a confrontation.
With the very government that makes their existence possible that is the United States this is a peculiar political situation.
I understand the provocation on the part.
From the perspective Bob.
Netanyahu I just don't understand.
The the politics of the respondents are publicly and in such a confrontational manner it's not helpful through that I would think Israel's interest.
Yup my thought would Netanyahu is -- this is a sign of desperation he is a guy who realizes he doesn't have many friends in the world.
Do you yes and enemies and Israel also but certainly the United States is is he is that -- -- -- dependency of the United States and to have.
The president of the United States take a position that is so radical that no leading all other leading Democrat I'm convinced would have taken the Obama position.
Netanyahu realizes that he's counting on a man who we can't count on.
-- -- thanks for being with us could -- appreciate it.
