A specific political party who happen to be in power (barely in power, literally by a single seat in the knesset) disrespected the president, a significant proportion of the Israeli population, including the defense establishment were horrified and embarrassed.
I think I worked out once that the average working American spends as much on Israel as they do on their phone bill. (Back when we had phones tethered to the wall, so YMMV.)
>Then Israel turns around and publicly disrespects the US president.
Yeah... so what? The president isn't the United States. He's just a manager, temporarily.
Besides, there was plenty of disrespect flowing the other way, too. When Obama went out of his way to snub Netanyahu, did it bother you, or do you think somehow the office of the American president is worthy of more respect than that of the Israeli PM?
> did it bother you, or do you think somehow the office of the American president is worthy of more respect than that of the Israeli PM?
Much more worthy, obviously. If you come with me hat in hand accept my aid, you damn well better be nice to me. If Israel wants to crap on the US president, that's fine, but don't then accept handouts from them.
At least the beggars in my town only swear at you if you don't give them money.
Like I said, the president is not the US. Congress, not the president, appropriates money, and Israel has a lot of support among the American people and in Congress. What Obama thinks about money going to Israel is pretty much irrelevant unless it's something over which he'd be prepared to get into a big budget fight. Which he'd probably lose.
The president has gone out of his way to show the Israelis he doesn't like or respect them. He undermines them at every opportunity. Were I Netanyahu I wouldn't give Obama the time of day. I'd fly in, give my speech to Congress, and then leave without ever going to the White House.
U.S. taxpayers give the American defense industry billions of dollars every year.
There, fixed that for you. Almost all of the "aid" to Israel is earmarked for military acquisition grants for U.S. equipment. It's welfare for American manufacturers.
publicly disrespects
Someone in the White House called Israel's leader a "chickenshit".
US taxpayers give the Israeli government billions of dollars every year.
Then Israel turns around and publicly disrespects the US president.
US taxpayers need to know that their government is willing to stand up to Israel when necessary. This is an actual concern because:
1. US politicians are almost all for sale. 2. The Israeli lobbying group AIPAC has bought and paid for a great number of those politicians.