It cannot be too often stressed that Israel had no credible pretext for its 2008-9 attack on Gaza, with full U.S. support and illegally using U.S. weapons.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Israel's security policy is determined by our needs. I strongly reject all the unfounded publicity suggesting that Israel is prevented from taking action because of international pressure.
Unprovoked attacks on Israel's borders, murdering Israeli soldiers, taking Israeli hostages and showering rockets targeting and killing Israeli civilians are not furthering any legitimate goal.
To the extent that Israel does face threats, like from say Hamas or Hezbollah, those are threats that do not jeopardise Israel's existence.
If there were Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, it makes it certain there would be a reprisal attack against the United States at some point.
America has some capabilities that Israel doesn't have. And Israel cannot place their security in the hands of Barack Obama; they can't do it.
Then the administration tied it in to the regional dispute between Israel and its enemies, as if that's about international terrorism. No, it's not.
There is no prospect that the United States will say to Israel, 'You do such and such and we'll not support you in your security.'
Since its very inception, Israel has been a threat.
In November 2008, the day of the presidential election, Israeli military forces invaded Gaza and killed half a dozen Hamas militants. Well, that was followed by a missile exchange for a couple of weeks in both directions.
It is natural that we should always expect an Israeli attack, even when it does not threaten.