Should Obama Get Tough with Israel?

President Obama is in Israel this week on the 10th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq by U.S. forces. Voices are now calling for America, Israel or both to intervene in Iran in an effort to prevent the regime there from building a nuclear weapon.

The president has plenty on his plate this trip. Israeli security is one issue, the longstanding Palestinian peace problem looms as another.

The Huffington Post reports, Obama will spend some time on the flagging prospects for an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord. In a visit to the Palestinian Authority Thursday, it does not seem that Obama will put his reputation on the line by pushing any particular plan for renewing talks between the two skeptical sides.

Signs are not auspicious for Barack Obama’s coming visit, says a column posted on San Diego Jewish World’s website. The front page of Friday’s Ma’ariv headlined a poll showing more Israel’s viewing him as antagonistic to Israel (38 percent) than as supportive of Israel (33), and substantially more Israelis opposing a gesture toward the Palestinians in connection with the visit (51 percent) than in favor of such a gesture (27).

Tell Us: What are the odds the president can make headway in this intractable region? Should he get tough with the Israelis — or the Palestinians?