Israel has been one of very few countries to support the U.S. embargo on Cuba; in 2014, only the U.S. and Israel voted against a UN resolution condemning the sanctions. And yet, writes Raphael Ahren, America gave Israel no advance warning before deciding to restore relations with Havana:
For years, Jerusalem had unquestioningly followed Washington’s lead on Cuba, considering it routine and necessary, given America’s unstinting support for Israel in various international forums. Then America made its sudden, drastic shift toward Cuba. But Israel cannot follow suit—not at the moment, anyway—because Havana isn’t interested in ties with Israel.
Havana unilaterally cut ties with Jerusalem some 40 years ago and has been a fierce critic of Israeli policies ever since. But Cuba’s vicious Israel-bashing was not among the issues discussed in the months-long secret U.S.-Cuban talks that led to the historic détente. Neither was Israel brought up during Kerry’s Havana visit two weeks ago.
Nobody in the Obama administration updated Israel ahead of the drastic change in policy, leaving some Israeli diplomats feeling abandoned. . . . Israeli officials refuse to comment on the record, but in private conversations they don’t hide their frustration at the awkward position Washington has left them in.
Read more on Times of Israel: http://www.timesofisrael.com/obama-left-israel-in-the-cold-when-he-revived-ties-with-cuba/