ABSTRACT
Chapter 8 deals with the Obama administration. Despite high hopes that Barack Obama’s presidency would lead to major changes in the Middle East, his presidency did not curb Israeli settlement expansion or construction. While President Obama often condemned settlements, arguing they were undermining hopes for peace, Israeli construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem thrived throughout his eight years in office. Obama’s criticism of Israeli leaders and settlement construction may have actually emboldened the Israelis. By the end of the Obama administration, settlements were an increasing reality that would continue to hamper the peace process. Yet there were no consequences for Israel. In fact, in 2016, the United States agreed to provide Israel with $38 billion in military assistance over a decade, the largest aid package ever given to another country.
