Bruce and Marquardt report: "President Obama will not meet with Benjamin Netanyahu when the Israeli prime minister is in the United States later this month for the UN General Assembly."

President Barack Obama walks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Obama Rejects Meeting With Netanyahu

By Mary Bruce, Alexander Marquardt, ABC News

12 September 12

resident Obama will not meet with Benjamin Netanyahu when the Israeli prime minister is in the United States later this month for the U.N. General Assembly, because the two leaders' schedules make a meeting impossible, the White House said today.

"The President arrives in New York for the UN on Monday, September 24th and departs on Tuesday, September 25th. The Prime Minister doesn't arrive in New York until later in the week. They're simply not in the city at the same time. But the President and PM are in frequent contact and the PM will meet with other senior officials, including Secretary Clinton, during his visit," National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said in a written statement.

The announcement comes amid tension between the United States and Israel over Iran's nuclear program and follows Netanyahu's declaration earlier this week that those who refuse to put "red lines" before Iran, have no moral right to give Israel a "red light."

The Obama administration has opposed issuing ultimatums, backing diplomatic negotiations and sanctions as the best approach to deter Iran from its nuclear ambitions.

An Israeli official told ABC News that Netanyahu's office requested a meeting with Obama but was told that because of the president's tight schedule it wouldn't be possible. The official admitted that with just a day and a half open, the window wasn't very big, although the official said the Israelis did offer to go to Washington if a meeting in New York was not possible.

The meeting was requested when the trip was made official more than a week ago and was declined "in the last few days," according to the Israeli official.

This will be the first time Netanyahu has visited the United States as prime minister and not met with Obama.

"The two leaders discussed the threat posed by Iran's nuclear program, and our close cooperation on Iran and other security issues. President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed that they are united in their determination to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and agreed to continue their close consultations going forward," according to the White House.

The Obama administration also denied reports that Netanyahu offered to come to Washington to meet with the president. "Contrary to reports in the press, there was never a request for Prime Minister Netanyahu to meet with President Obama in Washington, nor was a request for a meeting ever denied," the White House said in a written statement.

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+30 # Activista 2012-09-12 14:12

www.haaretz.com had great article about psycho Netanyahu - today the link is dead (401). Guess where the censors originated?
Seems that Obama figured to finally stop Israel's blackmail on US war on Iran. Most of Americans do NOT want to bomb IRAN. Not good like 50 day before elections.

+4 # dkonstruction 2012-09-13 08:57

Quoting Activista:

www.haaretz.com had great article about psycho Netanyahu - today the link is dead (401). Guess where the censors originated?
Seems that Obama figured to finally stop Israel's blackmail on US war on Iran. Most of Americans do NOT want to bomb IRAN. Not good like 50 day before elections.

Activista, do you remember the title of the article...would love to try and find it...thanks.

0 # Activista 2012-09-13 09:12

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone to war. Not against Iran. Not yet, at least. But his bellicose road to Tehran runs through Washington. A month and a half before the presidential election in the United States, Netanyahu has been picking a very public fight with the administration of President Barack Obama" now for subscribers ONLY.
Found editorial about the editorial:
hinterlandgazette.com/tag/benjamin-netanyahu-meddling-in-american-politics

Filed Under: Middle East, Presidential Election Tagged With: American foreign policy, Benjamin Netanyahu meddling in American politics, Benjamin Netanyahu Mitt Romney, GOP 2012, Haaretz editorial slams Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli American relations, Mitt Romney Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu picking public fight with President Obama, President Obama Benjamin Netanyahu

+1 # Activista 2012-09-13 21:26

www.haaretz.com/opinion/netanyahu-versus-obama.premium-1.464625
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone to war. Not against Iran. Not yet, at least. But his bellicose road to Tehran runs through Washington. A month and a half before the presidential election in the United States, Netanyahu has been picking a very public fight with the administration of President Barack Obama.

As it happens, Obama represents the Democratic Party, just like Bill Clinton, who was president during Netanyahu's first term of office. As it happens, Netanyahu's worldview is closer to that of the rival party. And as it happens, Netanyahu and the Republican Party's candidate for the presidency have mutual friends who are willing to dig deep into their pockets to get them elected or to keep them in power."

+10 # MidwestTom 2012-09-12 20:16

Hats off to Obama. Interesting qute: "Every time we do something you tell me America will do this and will do that . . . I want to tell you something very clear: Don't worry about American pressure on Israel. We, the Jewish people, control America, and the Americans know it." -- Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, October 3, 2001.

+3 # CAMUS1111 2012-09-14 10:41

Sharon (as much as i didn't like him) NEVER said this!It is an phony internet legend--great research Midwest Twit

+24 # Dion Giles 2012-09-12 21:03

The time it will be decent to meet Israeli politicians will when Israel has embraced democracy which means the 4.5 million exiles are free to vote in its elections and racist laws like the "Law of Return" have been sent (retrospectivel y, preferably) to the same dust bin that holds the Apartheid laws of South Africa.

+20 # Trueblue Democrat 2012-09-13 01:47

Without the support of the American Fifth Column, what Netanyahu (or any other Israeli) is, thinks or does would be of little interest and even less consequence. However, thanks to traitors who infest not just AIPAC but the U S Congress, the State Department, the Defense Department, the federal judiciary as well as other political power centers (e.g. New York and Chicago mayors), our country is being bled dry -- both financially, militarily and morally.

+22 # RMDC 2012-09-13 02:16

Good. Obama should reject Netanhahoo outright. He has been speaking like a madman lately. He no longer even tries to presuade anyone that Iran is a threat to Israel. Now it is just Israel's right to go to war whenever it chooses. But of course by that the means the US will go to war when Israel chooses.

This is a pretty strange case. Apparently the military leaders in both the US and Israel are against a war, but the neo-cons are firmly committed to a war. This is an interesting struggle. The neo-cons will have to replace much of the military leadershp -- get rid of anything who can think a little independently and replace them with guys who take orders.

Netanyahoo is too arrogant. Finally Obama is tired of being treated like a servant of Israel.

The next step would be to deny Netanyahoo a visa. don't even let him land in the US.

+25 # Susan1989 2012-09-13 02:42

The last thing this country needs is another war which will suck us dry.

+13 # tedrey 2012-09-13 03:48

It works both ways, Netanyahu. Those who refuse to accept "red lines" for an Israeli attack, have no moral right to give Iran a "red light."

+2 # RMDC 2012-09-15 04:15

Good point. But Netanyahoo is a sociopath so he would not understand that policy of red lines can be applied to him as well. He sees himself as exempt from all limitations. I do think more and more people are beginning to understand that Netanyahoo is a certifiable sociopath. The can't say that of course, but anyone who is still sane is trying to get as far away from him as they can.

Ironically, Netanyahoo probably could get re-elected because politics in Israel as just as corrupt as they are here. Bush/Cheney got re-elected and they are two sociopaths.

+7 # Douglas Jack 2012-09-13 04:00

There's a direct correlation between warlike-gesture s, armament-produc tion, war & deceit. Those who are unable to present their perspectives, truths or requirements in equal-time, recorded & published dialogue with their fellows, have typically constructed layer-upon-laye r of self & other deceit. Chicken-hawk politicians & the soldiers who carry out war & abuse are cowards of 'dialectic' ('both-sided') truth. We can easily end war & abuse by ensuring the dialectic rights of everyone to engage their fellows in 'debate' (French 'de' = 'undo' + 'bate' + 'the fight'). The more 'dialectics' are widespread throughout family, multihome-build ings, play, community, work, study, government & law, the more articulate we all become so war & violent conflict will be remembered only as a bad dream for which there is no reason. The very faculty of law itself has reneged upon its social responsibility to culturally nurture 'dialectic' discours among people & communities. https://sites.google.com/site/indigenecommunity/structure/1-both-sides-now-article

+14 # MidwestTom 2012-09-13 04:24

Mandate no dual citizenship holders in our government above $100,00 per year pay grade, and we will avoid most wars.

-2 # BradFromSalem 2012-09-13 04:48

Quoting MidwestTom:

Interesting qute: "Every time we do something you tell me America will do this and will do that . . . I want to tell you something very clear: Don't worry about American pressure on Israel. We, the Jewish people, control America, and the Americans know it." -- Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, October 3, 2001.

Nobody can actually document that this statement was ever made. I am a Jew, and I don't control America. But I am offended by the anti-Semitic belief that we do.

+5 # Phlippinout 2012-09-13 06:27

Hey Brad, calling everything anti semitic is getting very old. I think the word is losing its touch, I for one laugh when I hear it used in these ways. A day will come when the word means exactly what it is, hate of semitic people, like the innocent Arab families that are being displaced by the hateful occupation of the Israeli land robbers and murderers, that is pretty anti semitic!

+6 # pbbrodie 2012-09-13 06:37

Why does that belief make anyone anti-Semtic? I believe that you, like many Jews, believe that anti-Zionist equates with anti-semitism and it definitely does NOT!
You said you are a Jew but did not even identify whether or not you are Israeli. Why would an American Jew be offended by someone believing that Israel has an inordinate amount of influence over the American government? You evidently believe that the way someone feels about the actions of the Israeli state applies to their feelings about all Jews and it doesn't.

+5 # dkonstruction 2012-09-13 07:58

pbbrodie,

I am an american Jew who is also anti-zionist and certainly don't consider myself either a "self-hater" or an anti-semite as the right-wingers would no doubt brand me.

I agree with your point in general but at the same time i am very aware that much of the American left (and i think the same goes for the Europeans) only has an analysis and critique of Israeli state policies but has none for the Arab gov't's. At best, this is a double-standard but at worst it can also be due to less overt and more subtle forms of anti-semitism. For example, Edward Said was far more critical of the Palestinian National Authority and Arafat(so much so that Arafat banned his works in Palestine)than virtually anything i have heard coming from the American left and often leads to such stupidity as claiming that any of the Arab gov't's that oppose either the US or Israel must be "good" (instead of saying we oppose US and or Israeli military intervention even though these gov't's are repressive, often out and out reactionary and dictatorial and they are not "on our side" and would go after leftists in the same way that the dictators did (Iran after the revolution is a case in point here).

there is also alot of "slippage" in much of the language coming out of the american left so that Israeli state policies get translated as Israel or even Jews which again raises the specter of some anti-semitic undercurrents.

+2 # Dion Giles 2012-09-13 14:17

Yes, it does look like a double standard. But rallying to the defence of the occupied over the occupier is a single standard - forcibly seizing someone's land, exiling the inhabitants and forcibly occupying it, is a criminal act from which every day to day further act of criminality flows.

The "double standard" of standing firm with the occupied against the occupier it much the same as the "double standard" of those who stood firm with the people of Europe and Asia against the criminals who occupied their territory by force during the war. The single standard which it expresses is not hard to find - the right of a people to self-determinat ion in the land of their birth, and undying opposition to anyone - anyone at all - who seeks to deny them that.

And to be quite clear, Jews actually born in the territory that is (for now) called Israel are IN the land of their birth. Settlers are not. Neither are the exiles. A single standard would be for those not in the land of their birth to return to it.

+1 # dkonstruction 2012-09-13 07:37

Quoting BradFromSalem:

Quoting MidwestTom:
Interesting qute: "Every time we do something you tell me America will do this and will do that . . . I want to tell you something very clear: Don't worry about American pressure on Israel. We, the Jewish people, control America, and the Americans know it." -- Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, October 3, 2001.

Nobody can actually document that this statement was ever made. I am a Jew, and I don't control America. But I am offended by the anti-Semitic belief that we do.

Agreed Brad...and besides, even if he did say it my guess is that we would also agree that Sharon was a pig and just because he said something in no way makes it true.

+2 # dkonstruction 2012-09-13 09:08

Quoting BradFromSalem:

Quoting MidwestTom:
Interesting qute: "Every time we do something you tell me America will do this and will do that . . . I want to tell you something very clear: Don't worry about American pressure on Israel. We, the Jewish people, control America, and the Americans know it." -- Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, October 3, 2001.

Nobody can actually document that this statement was ever made. I am a Jew, and I don't control America. But I am offended by the anti-Semitic belief that we do.

Darn, i've been looking for those other members of the tribe that control the country in the hopes they would teach me the secret hand shake and let me in...guess i'll have to keep looking.

-2 # Activista 2012-09-13 21:20

Quoting BradFromSalem:

Quoting MidwestTom:
Interesting qute: "Every time we do something you tell me America will do this and will do that . . . I want to tell you something very clear: Don't worry about American pressure on Israel. We, the Jewish people, control America, and the Americans know it." -- Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, October 3, 2001.

Nobody can actually document that this statement was ever made. I am a Jew, and I don't control America. But I am offended by the anti-Semitic belief that we do.

This review is from: The Power of Israel in the United States (Paperback)
"Every time we do something, you [Shimon Peres] tell me America will do this and will do that..... I want to tell you something very clear: Don't worry about American pressure on Israel. We, the Jewish people, control America, and the Americans know it."
Ariel Sharon
Israeli Prime Minister
Knesset, Tel Aviv
October 3, 2001

+11 # savagem13 2012-09-13 05:29

I wouldn't put it past Netanyahu to be involved in the release of the movie that allegedly has led to the violence in Yemen, Libya, and Egypt. Can't get the Pres. to commit to joining Israel in an attack against Iraq before the election? Manufacture some violence amongst Muslims to get the American people all fired up and pissed off at anyone and everyone in that general area of the world. I've been reading comments on some of the major news sites regarding the attacks on the American embassies. Many of the idiots posting are all ready to wipe Libya off the face of the earth. They're so dumb, they don't discriminate against Libyans, Egyptians, Yemenites, Iraquis. Some of them are ready to buy into a wholesale American attack against anyone with brown skin.

+5 # Phlippinout 2012-09-13 06:29

I agree! I think who ever made that stupid movie ought to be bought into the light and held responsible for inciting what we all knew would happen.

+2 # stannadel 2012-09-14 02:01

Oh, so now we get the treacherous Jew theme from classical Antisemitism. Can't you guys criticize Israeli policies and Netanyahu without resorting to dragging out classical Antisemitic themes? Not all criticisms of Israel are Antisemitic to be sure, but by the same token some surely are.

+7 # dkonstruction 2012-09-13 05:51

It's important to remember that there is a sizable minority of Israeli's that oppose any military action against Iran. So, it is wrong to portray Israel (or any country for that matter) as a monolith and we need to be supporting the progressive forces in Israel that oppose what their gov't is doing vis-a-vis both the Palestinians as well as Iran.

Most americans i don't think are aware that there is far more political diversity amongst Israeli Jews than there is among at least the organized Jewish community in the US (i.e., the Israel Lobby/AIPAC etc) though there are some here too but they are typically branded as either "self-haters" and or anti-semites.

Whether it's groups like Gush Shalom ( http://zope.gush-shalom.org/index_en.html ) or the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions ( http://icahdusa.org/ ) and others its important that groups like these get more support (including the Israeli "refusniks" -- soldiers that have refused to serve in the occupied territories) and that more americans are made aware that not all Israeli Jews support the outrageous policies of their gov't )

+5 # pbbrodie 2012-09-13 06:43

Perhaps the Israel country and its people as a whole are not a monolith, as you put it, but the government is, at least virtually. Despite the work of all the groups you listed and others, the Israeli government has been steadfast in its apartheid policies toward the Palestinians in Gaza. I agree that Americans should support the groups opposing these policies in any way we can but I surely do not believe that there is any way that the American news media will ever do anything of the sort.

+6 # dkonstruction 2012-09-13 07:34

Quoting pbbrodie:

Perhaps the Israel country and its people as a whole are not a monolith, as you put it, but the government is, at least virtually. Despite the work of all the groups you listed and others, the Israeli government has been steadfast in its apartheid policies toward the Palestinians in Gaza. I agree that Americans should support the groups opposing these policies in any way we can but I surely do not believe that there is any way that the American news media will ever do anything of the sort.

Agreed...my comment was not referring to the Israeli gov't at all for i believe that (with a few exceptions just as there are a few here in the US) that there is little to no difference between the two major Israeli parties regarding their policies towards the Palestinians.

+5 # savagem13 2012-09-13 07:33

Why a thumbs-down for dkonstruction? I'm sure there ARE plenty of Israelis who do not support Netanyahu's policies. Just like there are plenty of Americans who opposed Georg W.'s policies. I agree, it's very important not to generalize, and not to hold all responsible for the sins of some. Isn't that just what the radical Muslims are doing--attackin g American ambassadors who may or may not agree with the idiot who produced the offensive movie? Isn't that just what non-thinking white American extremists do--decide that it's OK to flatten an entire country because a small group of people with brown skin hold wrong-minded, dangerous views?

+3 # dkonstruction 2012-09-13 14:04

Quoting savagem13:

Why a thumbs-down for dkonstruction? I'm sure there ARE plenty of Israelis who do not support Netanyahu's policies. Just like there are plenty of Americans who opposed Georg W.'s policies. I agree, it's very important not to generalize, and not to hold all responsible for the sins of some. Isn't that just what the radical Muslims are doing--attacking American ambassadors who may or may not agree with the idiot who produced the offensive movie? Isn't that just what non-thinking white American extremists do--decide that it's OK to flatten an entire country because a small group of people with brown skin hold wrong-minded, dangerous views?

savagem, thanks for the thoughtful comment. i would add that by generalizes an entire people or country you eliminate the very prospect of forming badly needed international alliances with like minded progressive folks. This is not just stupid but ultimately self-defeating if not suicidal.

Had those outside known of the White Rose, for example -- the name of a group of courageous German students that tried to resist the Nazis until they were caught and executed -- should they not have done everything they could to support them simply because they were German?

+9 # motamanx 2012-09-13 07:55

There was a sizable MAJORITY of people on this planet that marched against the war with Iraq, but we attacked them anyway, remember? A very bad precedent, among many, provided by Cheney/Bush/Rum my.

+7 # dkonstruction 2012-09-13 09:33

Quoting motamanx:

There was a sizable MAJORITY of people on this planet that marched against the war with Iraq, but we attacked them anyway, remember? A very bad precedent, among many, provided by Cheney/Bush/Rummy.

and don't forget the corporate-contr olled mainstream media that served as the main cheer leaders and basically silenced anyone (such as former weapons inspector Scott Ritter) who was saying that Saddam did not have the weapons of mass destruction the bushies (and Tony Blair) were saying he had

+4 # Activista 2012-09-14 13:07

"we need to be supporting the progressive forces in Israel that oppose what their gov't is doing vis-a-vis both the Palestinians as well as Iran"
yes - I learned the power of powerless - (look at Easter Europe) and these opposition groups (more than dkonstruction listed) are healthy core - future of New Israel. And the change will happen sooner than most "expert" predict. Hope also for the change in the USA .. maybe these two are related.

-2 # bluesapphire48 2012-09-13 07:49

Just wait until enough Zionists start pestering him, and he'll come around. After all, it's an election year, and the Israelis have already caused some trouble with that Islamophobic video. He'll be bombing wherever they want by Christmas, I reckon.

+7 # dkonstruction 2012-09-13 08:01

Quoting bluesapphire48:

Just wait until enough Zionists start pestering him, and he'll come around. After all, it's an election year, and the Israelis have already caused some trouble with that Islamophobic video. He'll be bombing wherever they want by Christmas, I reckon.

Interesting how the story spread so quickly that the maker of this video was an Israeli/America n Jew....AP is now reporting that the cell phone number they were given to have a phone interview with the supposed film maker was the same as the number for a coptic christian in california who admits having something to do with the video but claims he is not the Bacile guy who was being credited with having made the film.

+7 # dkonstruction 2012-09-13 09:34

Quoting bluesapphire48:

Just wait until enough Zionists start pestering him, and he'll come around. After all, it's an election year, and the Israelis have already caused some trouble with that Islamophobic video. He'll be bombing wherever they want by Christmas, I reckon.

sorry, but the latest reporting (check AP) is that the maker of the video is more likely a coptic christian from california.

+7 # motamanx 2012-09-13 07:51

Benjamin Netanyahu and Mitt Romney: interchangeable . Two mean-spirited empty suits. Why did the intelligent people of Israel elect such a dweeb? Did he scare them all, like Cheney did us? Obama is quite correct in not meeting with "Bibi".

+2 # David Starr 2012-09-13 10:24

Quoting: Netanyahu's declaration earlier this week that those who refuse to put "red lines" before Iran, have no moral right to give Israel a "red light."

Response: Those who refuse to put "red lines" before Israel, have no moral right to give Palestine a "red right," especially in terms of an official Palestinian homeland.

uoting: "The Obama administration has opposed issuing ultimatums, backing diplomatic negotiations and sanctions as the best approach to deter Iran from its nuclear ambitions." At least Obama continues to show a political spine against this Right-wing nut. The key phrase is "diplomatic negotiations." How about if Netanyu sticks his head up his ass? That's one sure way to shut him up. Besides he's talking through his ass anyway; also where his gray matter is located.

+2 # Activista 2012-09-14 12:03

Obama administration is backing sanctions against Iran - the same as Clinton did against Iraq. Both used lie (most originated in Israel).
"Sep 28, 1999 – After two weeks of intensive negotiations within the United Nations Security Council, the United States has blocked efforts by France, Russia to lift sanctions against Iraq. Washington has thereby ensured the continuation of a policy which must rank as one of the great CRIMES against humanity of the twentieth century."
sanction caused death of more Iraqis than bobms.

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