Netanyahu Confers with Cabinet Over Response to Obama

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu continues to discuss his proposed response to President Obama in meetings with his inner cabinet on Sunday. The deliberations began when Netanyahu returned to Israel on Thursday from what many Israeli pundits are calling the stormiest meeting between an Israeli and American leader in many years. President Obama has reportedly demanded a list of actions to be confirmed in writing by Netanyahu, including an end to building in Jerusalem – a demand Netanyahu refuses to honor; a reversal of approval for the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood in northern Jerusalem; a commitment to discuss final status issues if talks with the Palestinians resume; and handing over the neighborhood of Abu Dis to the Palestinians as a goodwill gesture. The last point angered many Israelis who see it as Washington forcing Israel to turn over a key bargaining chip even before talks have begun. Netanyahu made clear over the weekend that his refusal to end building in Jerusalem is not the result of pressure from his right-wing cabinet partners, but of his own volition. He stressed that his position differentiating between the capital and other lands acquired in the 1967 war is not different from those of all of his predecessors. Israeli media reports the cabinet consensus is to stand firm in the face of American pressure, insisting it’s the Obama administration and not the Israelis, that is altering agreements reached by prior governments. Israelis are viewing one gesture by the American administration with relief: President Obama has signed-off on the sale of three C-130J "Super Hercules" tactical transport aircraft to Israel. Notwithstanding the tension between governments, the first stage, worth an estimated $250 million to the American company Lockheed Martin, has been approved. Israel wants nine of the aircraft in order to upgrade its aging fleet. If approved, the deal will be worth $1.9 billion.