Andrea Mitchell: Obama "Bungled" U.S. Relationship With Israel
ANDREA MITCHELL: They certainly made a big effort at it. Louise just mentioned that terrible visit two years ago, when the Prime Minister, in the Oval Office, scolded the president to his face. And you saw the expressions. They were really – the White House was really offended by that. It has taken a lot to repair it. Similarly, the Israelis felt that the position that Barack Obama took when he first took office against Jewish settlements were a real obstacle. Then of course the president backed down. That was an awkward moment for the Palestinians, leaving them in the lurch. So none of the critics would say that the White House is not bungled this relationship. But a lot of people put blame on the Israeli side as well. It’s gotten off on the wrong foot and they are trying to fix it. But it is one of the worst relationships I can remember, and I have covered presidents all the way back it Ronald Reagan. These leaders are not simpatico. They have leaned over backward, and that the republican nominees did too much. The white house comes to this visit clearly with that in mind.
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