The USG Open Source Center translates or paraphrases passages from the Israeli Hebrew press on President Obama’s decision to seek Congressional advice and consent regarding responses to Syria’s use of chemical weapons. Some slammed him, some were supportive or understanding :
Historians To Mock Obama, President’s Actions Convey Weakness
“Obama Playing Dumb” by Hagay Segal on page 2 of Yedi’ot Aharonot ‘s 24 Sha’ot Supplement says: “Barak Obama will not be decorated for valor following his conduct vis-a-vis Bashar al-Asad. Even if he ultimately strikes, the historians will be mocking him. They will be writing that in 2012 the President set a red line for the Syrians, and when the Syrians crossed that line in 2013 he made every effort to shirk his duty. With weak knees, he orchestrated limited retribution, and to the last moment he tried and prayed that it would become unnecessary. His body language conveyed determination, but his action conveyed weakness. No constitutional or military hindrance prevented him from hitting Syria a week ago, when the world was still under the impression of the difficult images from Syria. The US Navy in the Middle East has enough Tomahawks at any given moment for such simple mission. There’s no shortage of targets either. Two or three barrages would have made it clear to all the Mideast’s madmen that the United States means what it says. But for Obama, even this minimum was too much.” (Tel Aviv Yedi’ot Aharonot in Hebrew — Independent, centrist, second-largest circulation daily)
Obama’s Indecision on Syria Raises Questions About Iran
“The Wicked Are Smiling” by Amos Gilbo’a on page 23 of Ma’ariv says: “If the US President is undecided, hesitant, and almost begging to be brought out of the corner he painted himself into with regard to a limited military operation in Syria — while saying it in lofty words, as he usually does — what will happen vis-a-vis Iran?” “I don’t think one needs much imagination to see the satisfaction on the faces of the wicked in Tehran, in Damascus, and in Beirut. They smell weakness like hunting dogs and understand that even if a US operation is carried out at all, it will be akin to a mild slap, and that after it Al-Asad would be able to continue his actions using planes, missiles, tanks, and mere butcher knives.” (Tel Aviv Ma’ariv in Hebrew — Independent, centrist, third-largest circulation daily)
Obama Not Naive, Learned Bush Lesson
“The Right Deed” by Ya’el Paz-Melamed on page 23 of Ma’ariv says: “President Obama is an ideological president who always prefers talk and conversations over the use of force. This is not naivete, neither is it about abstract faith in global peace, beauty queen-style. This is about deep inner conviction that military force, in many cases, creates a problem rather than resolves it.” “Obama believes that one should embark on war backed by the broadest consensus, and after proving this is a no-choice war based on the findings in the field. George W. Bush regrets today that he did not learn this lesson before he embarked on a hasty war in Iraq that exacted thousands of victims and cost a trillion dollars.” (Tel Aviv Ma’ariv in Hebrew — Independent, centrist, third-largest circulation daily)
Obama To Wipe Smile Off Al-Asad’s Face, US Remains World’s Top Power
“The Pitiable Europe” by Shimon Schiffer on page 28 of Yedi’ot Aharonot says: “President Obama’s prestige suffered a harsh blow in the past 48 hours, but make no mistake about it: America remains the world’s most important power. Should Obama get the approval of Congress for striking Syria and punishing Al-Asad, he shall fix what he had broken. In Damascus, in Tehran and in Beirut’s Hizballah stronghold they are waiting impatiently to see what America does. I’m willing to guess that ultimately Obama shall erase the smiles on Al-Asad’s, Ruhani’s, and Nasrallah’s faces, and the sigh of relief heard there will be replaced by voices of anxiety in the face of the American war machine’s might. Obama is not looking at our region, but rather at the legacy he wishes to leave behind.” (Tel Aviv Yedi’ot Aharonot in Hebrew — Independent, centrist, second-largest circulation daily)
Obama Decisive on Syria, No Rush To Attack
“Serious Consideration Needed” by Smadar Shir on page 2 of Yedi’ot Aharonot ‘s 24 Sha’ot Supplement says: “As the hours pass, it would be right to salute Obama, who is thinking more than seven times before setting the Middle East on fire with a war that is very easy to start, but this time more than ever there is no telling when and how it would end.” “Once Obama declared his intention (to strike Syria) so clearly and decisively, the question of the exact timing becomes marginal. What’s the rush?
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