Obama makes time for Letterman, but not Israeli PM Netanyahu

Just a week after enduring a controversy over the recognition of the capital of Jerusalem, President Barack Obama has once again snubbed Israel by refusing to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to a report by Breitbart.com, the White House announced today that President Obama has declined meeting with Israeli PM Netanyahu during a UN meeting in New York later this month, because he will likely be on the campaign trail at that time. However, on the same day, the White House also announced that the President will go to New York to appear on The Late Show with David Letterman.

With concerns Israel may attack Iran over their nuclear weapons program, keeping strong ties with America's only ally in the region are crucial.

The snub of Netanyahu is only the latest in a number of anti-Israel moves by the Obama Administration. Last week, Democratic delegates at their national convention in Charlotte loudly booed a move to reinstate wording in the party platform recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

In May 2010, Obama allowed the Palestinian PM to enter the White House through the front door, but made Netanyahu enter through a side door during his visit. In a first for any President, Obama later refused to have dinner with the Israeli delegation, leaving them to eat dinner in the White House alone, which the delegation could not eat due to religious reasons.

The snub of Netanyahu will not only have repercussions among American Jewish voters, it also provides ammunition to critics who say the President is more concerned with fundraising and meeting celebrities.

Victor Medina writes for Yahoo News and his political blog When Liberals Attack. His other writing credits include The Dallas Morning News and SportsIllustrated.com. He has served as a Dallas County election judge and on the Board of Directors of The Sixth Floor Museum. You can follow him on his blog, VictorMedina.com or on Twitter at @mrvictormedina. To be notified of future stories by Victor Medina, click the SIGN UP button at the top of this page.