With Friends Like These...

" Well -- President Obama put Israel on the diplomatic chopping block during his speech yesterday United Nations. Listen to this. We continue to call on Palestinian state and incitement against it is -- And we continue to emphasize that America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlement."

" Joining us now executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Malcolm -- thanks for being here pleasure of it was indeed former. US ambassador to the UN John Bolton who says -- statement about the settlement stopping legitimate that the president has put Israel on the chopping block."

" Did you agree -- don't think you put him on the chopping -- necessarily I think that this emphasis on settlements is disproportionate. And and the disadvantage that he creates is that the Arabs and take advantage of buses and -- and negotiate. While natural growth goes on -- no new settlements being don't know haven't been for a long time in. Netanyahu said he's prepared to to have a freeze and to have some sort of a moratorium. But when you elevated to the status -- take advantage of it to say we're not gonna negotiate under these conditions and a and and now I'm going to be as you look at the ark of the president's comments on Israel and Palestine and the Palestinian situation where last year cell. He's really changed his tune when he was at one point put all the pressure on you guys seemingly. And that's -- he's he's pushing both sides. Well he did I think initially the tenor and tone of the comments about Israel and they. Statements even when senator Mitchell went in others it certainly has changed dramatically and I think they learnt the lesson that other presidents have learned. That is that you can't just put the pressure on your closest friend. And believe you gonna get peace because the other side we'll just move further way expecting American to deliver Israel on the silver -- why was he pushing your -- hard in the beginning. Well I think he pushed the Israeli side because. He wanted to have movement that Palestinians. Couldn't deliver and don't deliver and have not proven yet to be a partner for peace there's still divided internally. In fact it's because of -- Israel's given that their economy's improved Israel has taken many measures. And Israel's proven that it wants peace the other side -- yet to show that they're ready to take this that test that withdrawal from Gaza program."

" packets are you comfortable with the president taking that tact a balance you -- Palestinians needed to do this -- is really as you need to do this if they're not really it fit the Palestinians and -- partners in peace should he have harder rhetoric towards them."

" Well I think you put markers down for the first time in especially doing it UN calling -- all the nations to stop the one cited slams against Israel. As you know they're more resolutions against Israel -- all the other member states cities who ended in the human rights council elsewhere so I think he put down some important markers. -- the -- you always have is that you create a moral equivalents. And that you sort of balance everything they they -- against the other when you have a partner -- prepared to make steps is -- him to do. And there are limits wouldn't -- individual can do as well sure. Malcolm how we thank you very much of -- whole line for your perspective and analysis my pleasure thank you --"