Oliver North: Betrayed

Oliver North: Betrayed

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February 11th, 2014

Source: TheBright.com™ News

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, delivers a speech during an annual rally commemorating anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, at the Azadi (Freedom) Sq. in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014. Rouhani on Tuesday called for "fair and constructive" nuclear talks with world powers as the nation marked the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution with massive rallies, complete with anti-American and anti-Israeli chants. Tuesday marks the 35th anniversary of the revolution that toppled the pro-U.S. Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and brought Islamists to power. The Azadi, 'Freedom' tower is seen at rear right. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

By Oliver North

Jerusalem, Feb 4, 2014 – When I made my first trip to Israel thirty years ago, no one would have suggested that the U.S. was anything but a friend and trusted ally of the Jewish State. The Obama administration has succeeded in turning that relationship on its head – to the peril of both countries.

In the immediate aftermath of the “Yom Kippur War,” everyone – friend and foe alike – knew where we stood. On October 6, 1973 – the “Day of Atonement” – Syrian and Egyptian armies and air forces launched simultaneous surprise attacks on two fronts – driving unprepared, under-strength Israeli Defense Force (IDF) units back on the Golan Heights and in the Sinai. For the first two days – as Israel mobilized its reserves and rushed them into battle – the fight was a near thing, particularly in the north where the Syrians, reinforced by Iraqi armor, artillery and anti-aircraft units, attacked to within sight of the Mediterranean Sea.

The tide turned on the Golan Heights late on October 7, when outnumbered Israeli tanks and infantry repulsed the Syrian advance. The following day, with Israeli reserves arriving on-scene, the IDF counter-attacked – driving the Syrian Army back toward Damascus. In the south, the IDF traded space for time – and held the line against Egyptian efforts to advance on the Mitla and Gidi passes – strategic avenues of attack in the Sinai. Two days later President Richard Nixon secretly ordered the U.S. military to open an “air bridge” to Israel – a 24/7 aerial resupply operation to replenish Israeli weapons, equipment, spare parts, ammunition and fuel expended in the life-or-death struggle.

By the time Secretary of State Henry Kissinger told Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, “You have made your point,” in warning against invading Arab capitals, the outcome was already evident. The Israeli Air Force had re-established air-superiority over both fronts; IDF artillery was shelling the suburbs of Damascus and Israeli paratroop and armor units commanded by Ariel Sharon were across the Suez Canal – and headed for Cairo.

Though hostilities did not officially end until well after a second UN negotiated “Cease Fire” went into effect on October 24, the whole world knew three things for certain. First, Israel had responded to a massive surprise attack to inflict a terrible defeat on Egypt, Syria and their Arab allies. Second, American-made arms proved superior to those provided by the Soviet Union and their satellites. And most important: The U.S. and Israel would stand together as allies against any adversary. Today, that last conclusion is no longer valid.

A few days ago, standing beside a fellow veteran on the Golan Heights, we could hear the distant, heavy “thud’ of Assad regime bombs and artillery pounding rebel positions near Damascus. An Israeli friend commented, “That is the sound of a dangerous neighborhood – made more so by Obama and Kerry. They have shown us how risky it is to be an American ally.”

Those aren’t just the sentiments of the “right wing” – Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and their governing coalition. Herewith an unscientific sample of public opinion voiced by everyday Israeli citizens and members of the Knesset with whom we met here in Jerusalem:

“If we agree to the Obama-Kerry ‘Land-for-Peace Plan’ we will give land but get no peace.”

“By lifting the sanctions on Tehran, Obama has made certain Iran will acquire nuclear weapons – and there will be another war.”

“Obama’s ‘Arab Spring’ is an unmitigated disaster for the people of the ‘Arab world.’ He speaks in platitudes. They die in multitudes.”

And perhaps the most telling and prescient of all: “Israelis will pay the price for Barack Obama’s ignorance and John Kerry’s blind ambition to be the next president of the United States.”

“How’s that?” I asked. “Kerry has said he wasn’t going to run for president.’

“Isn’t that what they all say? He will reconsider after he’s nominated for the Nobel Prize.”

Now I’m stunned. “Nobel Prize? For what? Marrying a ketchup and pickle fortune?”

“Be serious,” my friend counseled. “Beating Hillary is Kerry’s key to the White House. He will show that she – not Obama – is responsible for Benghazi. Kerry will be nominated for the Peace Prize because of three things: the Syrian Chemical Weapons deal; the Iranian Nuclear Weapons deal; and forcing Israel to once again give up land for peace.”

“And how will Kerry make sure none of these three ‘initiatives’ blow up in his face between now and November 2016?” I asked.

My Israeli friend smiled and replied, “They don’t have to ‘work’ in the traditional sense of the word. All any one of these three things has to do is stick it to the Jews. That’s why Tony Blair is in Jerusalem. He’s come to tell our business leaders to stop backing Bibi because Netanyahu will bring many more boycotts of goods made and grown in Israel– just like the Soda-Stream boycott, because the device is made in ‘the occupied territories.’  The Nobel Prize committee loves giving prizes to people who stick it to the Jews.”

We will have to wait to see whether John Kerry will receive the Peace Prize or campaign for president of the U.S. It is disconcerting to consider that this Holy Land has produced so many prophets so accurate in their predictions.

It’s downright alarming to note that my friend also used a phrase heavy with Biblical  premonition to describe current events: “Like Judas in the garden, Obama has betrayed us all.”

Oliver North is the host of War Stories on FOX News Channel, a nationally syndicated columnist and author of the American Heroes book series. He returned this week from his 27thvisit to the Holy Land.