When Divorce is Necessary

Helen Rowland once said, “When two people decide to get a divorce, it isn't a sign that they "don't understand" one another, but a sign that they have, at last, begun to.” That seems at long last to be happening to the US-Israeli marriage. The BBC have produced a helpful timeline of the divorce:

9 Mar: Israel announces the building of 1,600 new homes in East Jerusalem during visit by US Vice-President Joe Biden. Mr Biden condemns the move
 
11 Mar: Mr Biden says there must be no delay in resuming Mid-East peace talks, despite the row

12 Mar: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the Israeli move is "deeply negative" for relations

15 Mar: The US says it is waiting for a "formal response" from Israel to its proposals to show it is committed to Mid-East peace

16 Mar: The US envoy to the Mid-East postpones a visit to Israel

17 Mar: President Obama denies there is a crisis with Israel

22 Mar: Hillary Clinton tells pro-Israel lobby group Aipac Israel has to make "difficult but necessary choices" if it wants peace with Palestinians. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu tells Aipac Israel has a "right to build" in Jerusalem

23 Mar: Mr Obama and Mr Netanyahu meet behind closed doors with no media access

23 Mar: Jerusalem municipal government approves building of 20 new homes in East Jerusalem

24 Mar: The White House says differences remain.

The question is, will Mr Obama accept that the marriage is well and truly over and stop paying maintenance to an unfaithful partner.