The Illusion of an Imaginary Common Interest

In light of the most recent Obama-Netanyahu AIPAC love-in, and the increasingly bizarre and dysfunctional US-Israel relationship, few words have as much resonance today as these from George Washington's Farewell Address:

"The nation which indulges toward another an habitual hatred or an habitual fondness is in some degree a slave... Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter without adequate inducement or justification... As avenues to foreign influence in innumerable ways, such attachments are particularly alarming to the truly enlightened and independent patriot. How many opportunities do they afford to tamper with domestic factions, to practice the arts of seduction, to mislead public opinion, to influence or awe the public councils!... Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the favorite are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people to surrender their interests."

Read on and you'll see what I mean:

Obama to Netanyahu:

"As I've said repeatedly, the bond between our two countries is unbreakable. My personal commitment - a commitment that is consistent with the history of other occupants of the Oval Office - our commitment to the security of Israel is rock solid. And as I've said to the Prime Minister in every single one of our meetings, the United States will always have Israel's back when it comes to Israel's security. This is a bond that is based not only on our mutual security interests and economic interests, but is also based on common values and the incredible people-to-people contacts that we have between our two countries." (Remarks by President Obama & Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel, Oval Office, whitehouse.gov, 5/3/12)

Netanyahu to Obama:

"Americans know that Israel and the United States share common values, that we defend common interests, that we face common enemies. Iran's leaders know that too. For them, you're the Great Satan, we're the Little Satan. For them, we are you and you're us. And you know something, Mr President - at least on this last point, I think they're right. We are you, and you are us. We're together. So if there's one thing that stands out clearly in the Middle East today, it's that Israel and America stand together." (ibid)