Israel, Egypt, Gulf fear US betrayal
Israel has become part of an unexpected alliance with the Gulf countries, Egypt and Jordan, all disappointed by the US administration's lack of Middle East understanding.
The deadly terrorist attack that took place near the Iranian Embassy in Beirut on Nov. 19 could not have happened at a more sensitive juncture. Taking place a day before the resumption of the talks between Iran and the major powers in Geneva and ahead of a possible signing of an agreement, it also coincided with the visit of French President François Hollande to Israel, which, for its part, scared and alarmed the whole world with its apocalyptic prophecies about the "surrender agreement" with Iran. It occurred while the Middle East was seething and more volatile than it has ever been. It is no wonder that Iran, in an unusual fashion, was quick to point a finger at Israel, holding it accountable for the terrorist act.
Officially, Israel has emphatically denied involvement. The Israeli security officials with whom I spoke sniggered: "Israel has never used suicide bombers. This does not exist in our culture nor do we have any interest in interfering in the war raging between Sunnis and Shiites in the Middle East in general, and in Syria and Lebanon in particular."
