White House Speaks Truth, Issues Immediate Retraction

[Lemur]

This one tickled my funnybone today. Apparently Rahm Emanuel said the straight-up truth about the never-ending circle of stupidity and bad-faith jerkitude which we call the Israeli/Palestinian situation. A retraction was hastily issued. Saying true things is apparently quite dangerous, and causes bad feelings.

Emanuel met with Jacob Dayan, consul general of Israel in Los Angeles, about two weeks ago, after which Dayan briefed the Foreign Ministry. According to reports, Emanuel told Dayan the U.S. is sick of the Israelis, who adopt suitable ideas months too late, when they are no longer effective.

The U.S. is also sick of the Palestinians who never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity, Emanuel reportedly said.

Emanuel added that if there is no progress in the peace process, the Obama administration will reduce its involvement in the conflict, because, as he reportedly said, the U.S. has other matters to deal with. [...] Emanuel reportedly also said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly acknowledged the two-state solution too late, and that the freeze on settlement construction in the West Bank came only after months of U.S. pressure.

I just don't see a single blessed thing to disagree with in that assessment. But of course, denials and "clarifications" were immediately issued:

The White House reports that Dayan later claimed that Emanuel's views were distorted. Dayan stressed that during his visit to Los Angeles, Emanuel reiterated his unflagging commitment to Israel's security and his devotion to the search for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Why has "unflagging commitment to Israel's security" become a non-negotiable plank in American politics? It's not as though Israel has been a wonderful ally. And the depths of Palestinian stupidity, short-sightedness and cruelty are so damp and muddy that I hardly feel like diving in.

A pox on both their houses. But I guess American politicos aren't supposed to say that. Ever.