When Netanyahu Met Kerry,One Year From Now
Ben Caspit argues that one year from now, on Israel's next Independence Day, the political stagnation and lack of negotiations in the Middle East will still persist.
A transcript of the meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Secretary of State John Kerry, Tuesday, April 15, 2014, Jerusalem:
Netanyahu feels a certain amount of compassion for John Kerry as he gives him the once-over. He is walking a little stooped these days, and he looks much older than he actually is. His hair had grown more gray over the past year than it had in the 10 years prior. In fact, he looks like he’s in pain.
“Welcome, John!” exclaims Netanyahu, feigning pleasure at greeting his guest. “You’re a regular here now. What can I get you to drink? The usual?”
Kerry responds with a languid smile. He has long since learned how to handle the wave of revulsion that overcomes him whenever he meets Netanyahu, and he’s seen him quite a bit over the past year. This is their 23rd meeting since Kerry took over as secretary of state. The New York Times recently reported that he had already broken the all-time record for time spent by secretaries of state in flight. It was the first positive coverage he had received in many long months. During his first year in office, he spent more time in the air than all of his predecessors, including Hillary Clinton, including Henry Kissinger, in fact including everyone else. Most of his flights had brought him right here, to this ill-fated place. In other words, he spent more time in the Middle East in general, and in particular the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem, than anywhere else. No wonder he’s about to crack.
