I’ve heard it said that the signs of a weakened nation include paradigms where their enemies no longer fear them and their ‘friends’ no longer trust them. It took a while, but we may have finally arrived. Rather than lament the fall of America, I’m going to spend a few moments in quiet contemplation over the ills that have befallen our friend and ally Israel.
Today Israel pulled its negotiators out of hostage talks after Hamas, encouraged by a UN Security Council resolution that calls for an unconditional ceasefire, toughened up its demands during negotiations. The US could have stopped the resolution but elected to roll over and toss this ally to the wolves.
Netanyahu canceled a meeting that the White House had sought with his advisers. He did release a statement however. It reads in part: Israel will not address Hamas’s delusional demands. Israel will pursue and achieve its just war objectives: Destroying Hamas’s military and governmental capacities, release of all the hostages, and ensuring Gaza will not pose a threat to the people of Israel in the future.
The future has just become that much more uncertain.