Guest Blog: Obama blames America for terror against Israel?

A friend of mine, Jack Harvey, sent in the following guest blog about Obama's shaky Israel policies.

For those of us who are watching the American elections closely, an interesting hint of the difference between the two candidates' views on Israel emerged recently. Ben Smith, blogging at Politico, points to two recent letters from American legislators to President Bush supporting Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas rockets.

One letter was signed by Senator John McCain and 76 other Senators—almost the entire Senate, practically speaking. It makes the case for Israel in strong terms. The other letter was signed by Senator Barack Obama—and only Senator Barack Obama.

What could be the reason for Obama’s “dissent”? Smith writes: “The letters don’t differ on major points....But...Obama’s is extremely focused on the clarity of his message, and isn’t about to sign onto others’ roughly similar words or views.”

Put less charitably, Obama wanted to draw attention to himself, in order to win back wavering support among pro-Israel voters (including Jews).

However, Mark Hemingway of the National Review also notes that there is something troubling about Obama’s description of the conflict.

In the second paragraph of his letter, Obama writes:

“But I am deeply concerned that Israel's security has been put at risk both because of renewed threats from implacable enemies like Iran, Hizbollah and Hamas, and because of policy choices by the United States. [Emphasis added]”

Hemingway comments:

“Does Obama really want to go around blaming Israel's security problems on the U.S., let alone do it in the same sentence he notes the threats presented by Iran, Hizbollah and Hamas? Well, you'd certainly be hard pressed to find many people in congress willing to sign on to that notion.”

Obama’s letter sums up the problem he has with pro-Israel voters. He can’t get the message right, even when he tries to pander. And that’s either because he’s inexperienced on the issue, or because he quietly shares at least some of the views of the anti-Israel left—or both.

In another well-known example, Obama told AIPAC, for example, that Jerusalem “must remain undivided”, then back-tracked the very next day when both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority leadership complained.

Obama’s Israel ambiguity will persist beyond Election Day. It’s hard to know how he would actually perform if he won. But one thing is fairly clear: Obama believes Bush “neglected” the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and he wants to take a more active and involved approach as president. Whether Obama is a neophyte or a radical, his eagerness to take control, given his frequent missteps, ought to be a little worrying to friends of Israel.

Comments

[Mike]

I must say Obama seems way too slippery for my liking. Words come far too easily to him. He is the antithesis of a straight shooter. He has flip flopped now on so many issues gun control, campaign financing, the status of Jerusalem etc etc. I just hope Americans can see past the lofty rhetoric.

[Hillel]

Change you can believe in

[The pil]

I agree with Obama when he says that the Iran threat to Israel security is partialy the fault of the USA. At the moment the USA is not leading the world in how to deal with the nuclear threat They allow the Europeans to negotiate and get nothing from the Iranians and than America sits back waiting for something to change. America seems to have no idea how to deal with Iran. At least Obama has an idea that has a chance of working- not doing anything will definately not solve any problem.

[Gary]

To the tune of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody

"Anyway the wind blows, that's the way Obama go's you'll see...you'll see."

[Wessel van Rensburg (AKA mhambi)]

I completely agree with Obama. The US's unconditional support has been very harmful to progressive Israeli's bargaining power in Israel. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. A more balanced debate and approach in the US would do domestic politics in Israel no end of good. Unconditional support infects Israel's body politics with hubris.

It's no secret that in the US things are not allowed to be said or published. Things which are par for the course inside Israel itself, where Haretz and others regularly criticizes.

[Payday Loan Advocate]

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[Payday Loan Advocate]

With our economy going into a slump, why is it that political figures are destroying valid financial options? Payday Loans are an essential part of the U.S. financial system, providing loans to those who have bad or no credit that need the money fast. Yet, for one reason or another, legislators are targeting this financial system. Some states, such as Georgia and North Carolina, have even banned the industry all together! The politics behind it is simple; banks are lobbying the legislators to try and destroy their oncoming competition, and the legislators are falling for it. Even taking out the fact that banks are trying to take away your financial choices and freedoms so they can have a monopoly on loans, the corruption of our politics is simply wrong. Our opinions must be heard, and our freedom of choice, financial or not, should not be dampened on the soul fact on one person's financial gain.