Cacophony, I'm not suggesting Israel is "carefully crafting" its policy around American elections - that
does make it sound America-centric. But it would be bizarre to think they weren't factoring in the outcome of your country's election given the weight you carry in the world. And "factoring in" would absolutely encompass whether to do what they planned to do
before a potential President Obama... or risk waiting til after.
As Strangelet says, a President Obama may well turn out to disappoint many who are hoping for a break in America's unflinching support of (or bias towards) Israel over and above the Palestinians. He may even opt to attack Iran himself, or - if Israel attacks - sit silently by while the world is demanding that he call for a ceasefire, as with Bush/Blair and Lebanon.
But at this point in time, there's no getting away from the fact that - for whatever reason - possibly his willingness to talk about dialogue with Israel's enemies, possibly the idiotic suspicion that he's a closet Muslim - whatever the reason, there absolutely
is suspicion about Obama's position on Israel, suspicion that he lacks the will to sufficiently defend it and/or side with it. Immediately upon winning the Democratic ticket, Obama's first speech - to AIPAC - wasn't exactly arranged as a cosy get-together and thank-you session to his support base, was it?
And yes, I also find this odd, given the effort he goes to to reassure on these matters. (
Remember this?)