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Is a Netanyahu-Obama accident waiting to happen?

While relations between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama are about to reach a breaking point, the shooting in Jerusalem of a right-wing activist risks provoking a regional explosion.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) makes remarks as he meets with U.S. President Barack Obama in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington March 3, 2014.   REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst    (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3FZZ2

The end of October was a particularly prolific week for two dangerous collision courses. The first one is the continual road accident between the United States and Israel, or more precisely, between the White House and the prime minister’s office. The second one is the deteriorating relations between Palestinians and Jews in Jerusalem, mainly in connection to the world’s most volatile place — the Temple Mount.

Both these courses have seen long strides toward a big bang. In Jerusalem, such a bang could deteriorate the entire region into a third intifada at best, or result in the first Armageddon in the worst case. In terms of the Israel-US front, such a bang could take place after the US midterm elections on Nov. 4. According to one scenario, should President Barack Obama lose these elections, he will turn into a lame duck. Wounded, he would become more furious than ever. As a result of not having a majority in either house of Congress, Obama would find the US domestic front is blocked off to him. Thus, he would remain only with foreign policy by which to leave his mark. Contrary to his nature and disposition, he would turn vengeful. He would want to settle a score with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and especially with his patron, business billionaire and casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. Israel, as a result, might pay a stiff price.

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