US President Barak Obama has indicated that if he were to win a second term as president, he would come to Israel during that second term. One of his men, a former assistant, said in a call to reporters, as reported on CNN, that Obama would visit should he be re-elected.

Very nice.

Presidents of the USA do not have any obligation to visit Israel. The last few presidents have done so, but most presidents since Israel's inception have not. With the extensive travel itineraries around the world, one would think that a stop in Israel, both one of the top allies of the USA, especially in the region, and a major center of international politics and discussion, would be automatic but not just out of de rigueur but out of necessity of involvement.

However I don't see it as a major necessity. I prefer the president focus on improving the relationship, working for the safety, even working for a peaceful settlement of hostilities, more than I care to see him make a meaningless trip to Israel where we will fall over backwards to pander to him and create massive traffic jams so a little girl can hand him flowers in Jerusalem. I don't belittle that, as it creates goodwill, but I don't see it as a big deal if it does not happen.

The only way I would consider it a big deal is if he would come for a visit and bring along with him a recently pardoned Jonathan Pollard...

Anyways, the last time Obama visited Israel, as a presidential candidate, we made sure to embarrass ourselves pretty nicely when someone had the gall to remove from the Kotel the note that Obama had stuck in the cracks.. If he comes again, let's try to keep it together and not do stupid things to embarrass ourselves..

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