The relationship between former President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasn't good from the outset. In fact, it was terrible.

Throughout Obama's presidency, the goings-on between the two heads of state ranged from petty to frosty to sometimes, in Obama's case, downright disrespectful. It could also be potentially dangerous. (We'll get there.)

At the philosophical core of the bitter disagreement between the two men was (and remains) the Palestinian issue and how to resolve it and, of course, Obama's views and past actions with respect to dealing with Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. 

In late December 2016, just days before Obama left office, the United States abstained from voting on a United Nations Security Council resolution that demanded Israel stop settlement construction in the West Bank, which infuriated Netanyahu. 

Obama's decision broke with decades of US policy on the UN's condemnation of Israel.

Fast-forward 15 years, and Obama hasn't changed a bit concerning Israel, the Palestinians, and his steadfast belief that "Islam is a religion of peace." Scratch that; Obama's views are now not only more strident — they're unshackled by the presidency, so he can say whatever the hell he wants.

As reported by my colleague Bob Hoge last Sunday, Obama finally weighed in on the Israel-Hamas War and promptly pronounced that "nobody's hands are clean," about Israel's retaliatory campaign against the brutal Hamas terrorists who snuck into Israel and massacred more than 1,400 Israeli men, women, and children — including babies.

Harvard Law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz was furious. (emphasis mine)

All of this is taking place against the backdrop of decades of failure to achieve a durable peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. One that is based on genuine security for Israel, a recognition of its right to exist, and a peace that is based on an end of the occupation and the creation of a viable state and self-determination for the Palestinian people.

"Occupation." Code word. Big time.

President @BarackObama on the violence in Gaza.

Full interview out Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/U42Jy2Aa4y

— Pod Save America (@PodSaveAmerica) November 4, 2023

Arrogance abounds.

Enter, Alan Dershowitz

So, Alan Dershowitz ripped into Obama on Friday morning during an appearance on "Mornings with Maria" on Fox Business, telling the host that because of Obama's recent comments, his relationship with the former president is "over." 

I think he always had a deep hatred of Israel in his heart.

He [once] called me to the Oval Office and he said to me, 'Alan, you've known me for a long time. You know I have Israel's back.' I didn't realize he meant to paint a target on it. He's never been supportive of Israel. And finally, his true feelings have come out now that he's no longer president and doesn't have to be elected.

He has contributed enormously to the problem because he is respected among young people. And if he says the occupation is unbearable and that anything can be done to stop it, he is encouraging people to engage in their antisemitic, anti-Israel, and anti-American attitudes. 

"He should be ashamed of himself," Dershowitz continued: "He should apologize, but he won't." 

Exactly. The next time Obama is ashamed of himself or apologizes for anything will be the first time -- in both cases.

Dershowitz is outraged with Obama over the latter's "despicable" suggestion of moral equivalency — the lack thereof, as it were — between civilians killed by the conflict in Gaza and the unspeakable slaughter of Israeli citizens by Hamas. He said:

To compare those disputed claims with the rapes, beheadings, burnings, kidnappings — it's just obscene and despicable. And what it does is it lends support to those students basically, who are saying, ‘Well, what Hamas really did was not so bad... It was in response to the 'occupation.'

Although he said that the attacks by Hamas are not justifiable. He made them justifiable because if life really is unbearable, as it's not, then you can do anything you want.

Finally, Dershowitz said he fears that Obama's comments could further fuel antisemitism in the U.S.

What he did was contribute to the risks to not only Israelis but Americans, because it's coming to a theater near you. If Hamas is not stopped in its tracks from doing the terrorist acts, they will bring them to the United States.

You can watch the full segment on Fox Business here.

The Bottom Line

Barack Obama, ever the smug globalist, and ever the cheerleader for the Palestinians, is never going to change his Israel-blaming stripes. Thankfully, Bibi Netanyahu and the Israeli people are no longer affected by his actions or rhetoric.