Obama Pressured on Israel: Dems Take Sides

Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev) actually said it:

I think it would serve America's interest better if we were pressuring the Iranians to eliminate the potential of a nuclear threat from Iran, and less time pressuring our allies and the only democracy in the Middle East to stop the natural growth of their settlements. ["natural growth" meaning the birthing of babies]

Rep. Shelley Berkley

Obama pressured on Israel? The Dems take sides? I had about given up hope. More from Rep. Berkley:

When Congress gets back into session the administration is going to hear from many more members than just me.

Of course, the urge to make what "is" what "isn't" is alive and well. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) has some concerns and plans to fix it all for the Prez by narrowing "the administration's definition of "settlement" to take the pressure off of Obama. From Ben Smith at Politico (read the story linked above):

Other Democrats, in interviews with POLITICO, raised similar concerns. While few will defend illegal Jewish outposts on land they hope will be part of a Palestinian state, they question putting public pressure on Israel while — so far — paying less public attention to Palestinian terrorism and other Arab states’ hostility to Israel.

Rep Anthony Weiner (D-NY) said Obama has tip-toed up to the "fine line:"

I would have liked to hear the president talk more about the Palestinian obligation to cut down on terrorism.”

Contrasting the problems Jimmy Carter and Bush 41 had on Palestine-Israel, an unnamed Democrat said this:

There's such a desire for him to be successful that he's lived this charmed life that most politicians and most presidents, dealing with Israel wouldn't have...In the early months, the finger is off the hair trigger on these issues.

Related: Some satire from Sultan Knish gives us glimpses of a hard truth.