Analysis: For Israel, it's also Kurtzer vs Lieberman (They Don't Trust Obama)

Jerusalem Post ^ | June 5, 2008 | HERB KEINON

[rightwingintelligentsia]

In making Barack Obama their presidential nominee, millions of voters in the US Democratic primaries have declared they want change in Washington.

But change in Washington's policy toward Israel is not something most Israelis want to see, which largely explains why the candidate who has so much of America on fire has left so many Israelis cold, including those in the country's corridors of power.

How cold? So cold that, "Had Gadya"-like, Hillary Clinton - according to a poll conducted last week by Keevon Research Strategy and Communication - would devour John McCain in a theoretical matchup if the election were held in Israel, and McCain would thump Obama.

Is that because Israelis have bought into all the Internet noise about Obama the "closet Muslim," or because of Rev. Jeremiah Wright's tirades and the fact that Obama didn't leave the Trinity United Church of Christ Church in Chicago much, much earlier? Is it a race thing?

Hardly. Rather, the Israelis' lack of enthusiasm for the presumptive Democratic candidate stems from other factors.

[upchuck]

They Don't Trust Obama

That's okay Israel, millions of Americans, including me, don't either. Please pray for our country.

[kellynla]

Hillary Clinton kissing Soha Arafat.

"Hillary Clinton - according to a poll conducted last week by Keevon Research Strategy and Communication - would devour John McCain in a theoretical matchup if the election were held in Israel."

This "poll" doesn't pass the smell test.

[Bahbah]

In the end, according to officials in Jerusalem, there is confidence that Obama will reach the same conclusions regarding Hamas, Hizbullah, Syria and Iran that Bush has: that it is futile to deal with them and they must be defeated, not engaged.

He will not reach the same conclusions. He believes that Israel and the Jews are in the wrong. This will not change.

[SJackson]

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[Zhang Fei]

This "poll" doesn't pass the smell test.

The poll sounds about right. Israelis, like the majority of American Jews, are socialists at heart. Israel has socialized health care, and extremely powerful unions. Israel's big government programs are why it needs Uncle Sam to subsidize its defense. The average Israeli will pick any pro-Israel socialist over a pro-Israel conservative. American Jews vote 8 to 2 for Democrats. I would be surprised the Israeli vote for Hillary vis-a-vis McCain weren't at least 80% to 20%.

[vpintheak]

It’s alright, the “Arab Street” loves obama. No worries for us Americans.

[Bobalu]

Israel could destroy 2 enemies at once if they attack Iran around the 1st of Nov.