A Snub, and With Good Reason

The White House says scheduling problems will keep President Clinton from seeing Benjamin Netanyahu during the Israeli prime minister’s visit to the United States next week, even though the two leaders will find themselves in Los Angeles on Monday and probably not more than a swift motorcade ride apart. The truth is that Clinton is snubbing Netanyahu, and for good reason. Israeli actions since Netanyahu took office last year have done much to frustrate and embarrass U.S. efforts to further the peace process. That has been said privately to Israeli officials. Clinton’s refusal to meet with Netanyahu is a way of communicating his exasperation publicly.

The latest shock to U.S. policy goals comes with Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy’s announcement that he won’t attend the third annual Middle East economic conference in Doha, Qatar, which opens next week. Washington has been a key supporter of bringing together Israel and the more moderate Arab states in the common economic interests of all, a dividend of what a few years ago seemed a peace process headed for success. Most Arab leaders plan to avoid Qatar because of Netanyahu’s stance. So now with Levy’s absence, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who still plans to drop by, will find little to talk about.

U.S. irritation with Netanyahu stems not just from his foot dragging in the peace talks but from the perception that he lacks a commitment to see the process through. The Israeli insists his policies are guided by security concerns. No one questions the importance of that, but most Israelis do appreciate that long-term security ultimately depends on first successfully negotiating peace. Clinton is unhappy with Netanyahu’s spiritless approach to negotiations, and by finding it inconvenient to meet with him in Los Angeles he is properly signaling his displeasure.