Posted on 06/21/2008 5:44:40 PM PDT by The_Republican
In the political minefield that is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the issue of Jerusalem hangs like a hornet's nest on a limb over a pile of unexploded ordnance. That's why many people caught their breath recently when Sen. Barack Obama, fresh from securing the Democratic nomination, walked through that field and stood face to face with the humming problem. Obama grabbed the Jerusalem hornet's nest and shook it hard. Or at least it seemed that way for about 24 hours.
Speaking before the annual gathering of AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby, Obama reassured Israel supporters that he was ''speaking from my heart, and as a true friend of Israel.'' That was no surprise. Support for Israel in the United States is bipartisan, with differences over the details of specific issues. Only a minority in today's Washington would disagree with Obama's vow that, ''The bond between the United States and Israel is unbreakable today, tomorrow and forever.'' The status of Jerusalem, however, is a different matter.
Jews refer to Israel as their eternal capital. But Palestinians, too, say they want the city as the capital of a future Palestinian state. No issue is more emotionally charged. For Israeli politicians, talking about the status of Jerusalem is the riskiest of propositions.
That's why an electric charge rushed through the audience when Obama declared, ``Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel -- and it must remain undivided.''
Suddenly, Obama, the candidate of moderation, was standing for a long-held dream of the Jewish people, a dream that many have relinquished as unrealistic. Obama was taking a position to the right of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who has said that Palestinians will have sovereignty over some neighborhoods of Jerusalem. He appeared more hawkish than President Bush, whose spokesman reiterated the administration's position that Jerusalem's future is ``up to the parties.''
Obama sounded tough on Iran as well, declaring, ``Let there be no doubt: I will always keep the threat of military action on the table to defend our security and our ally Israel. Sometimes there are no alternatives to confrontation.''
Has Obama been a closet hawk all along, or was there something else inspiring his inner tough guy?
Only the candidate himself knows the truth about his feelings and beliefs. But there is little question that his speech helped him build credibility with Jewish and non-Jewish supporters of Israel.
There is also no question that the speech angered Palestinians. Some observers say that was the real reason for the Jerusalem line.
Not all support is good news to a candidate. When Ahmed Yousef, a leader of the militant Hamas, told a reporter that Hamas wants Obama to win, John McCain rushed to note the Hamas ''endorsement'' of Obama. Following Obama's words on Jerusalem, Hamas said it doesn't really matter who wins in the U.S. race -- nothing will change. Others, too, reacted angrily at Obama. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said ``the statement is totally rejected.''
Within 24 hours, Obama had to either clarify or retract that statement. What he meant, he said, was that Jerusalem ''as a practical matter,'' should never be divided, physically, with barricades and barbed wire. But he said it's up to the parties to negotiate, ``and Jerusalem will be part of those negotiations.''
Supporters say this has been Obama's position all along. Critics say he is trying to have it both ways. Others go further, saying they recognize the familiar stench of dishonest political manipulation.
Interestingly, Israelis did not seem particularly excited by Obama's statement on Jerusalem. Israelis say they have heard many promises before, and Jerusalem has long been in the words of those trying to seduce them. The U.S. Embassy in Israel stands in front of the beach in Tel Aviv, not in Jerusalem, the country's capital and seat of government, as it does in every other country in the world. Politicians have repeatedly promised to move it. Once in power, the feared political fallout makes the former candidates forget some of their promises.
Obama's speech left large numbers of Israel supporters feeling that the Democratic candidate genuinely shares what is today's consensus in American politics that, as he put it, ''Our alliance is based on shared interests and shared values. Those who threaten Israel threaten us.'' What is less clear is why exactly he decided to shake up the Jerusalem hornets' nest.
Obama can say anything he wants, but everyone knows that he’s going to turn his back on Israel. The only question is whether that will be good or bad for his political fortunes. I think there are a lot of American voters who are tired of being in the middle of the fight between Israel and the Palestinians.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but how can you bring an end to the sacrifices and offerings if they have not started yet?
That changed quickly, immediately after his Muslim constituency kicked his ass and altered his heart beat....
So what?
Israel is supposed to be so bad-ass.. why do they need support?
Obama has changed his position so many times in his various pronouncements that it’s difficult to take anything he says about an issue seriously (e.g., NAFTA, meetings with enemy leaders, Jerusalem, campaign financing, etc.). The only thing he appears to be really focused on is winning.
Instead of going by his words, maybe people should look at the advisers he has surrounded himself with (who will be the real ones calling the shots). Obama is only a front man after all.
odumbo should just say that then and stop lying
Israel is supposed to be so bad-ass.. why do they need support?
Knot-head....you got banned, do you need support?
Pathetic that the status of Jerusalem is even an issue in a foreign country’s presidential debate.
So be it. If Israel can’t survive without dependence on America, then we deserve what we get. If American Jews want to help us, the best thing they could do is lobby America’s government to lose their interest in us. We have no oil, no vast tracts of land, no great influence, no diplomatic prestige. I understand that we have religious significance for some Christians, but that’s all we have. Leave us be.
But, but, but I thought he was the new guy for change............different than the people in Washington (hillary and McCain)!
LOL!
“That’s why an electric charge rushed through the audience when Obama declared, ``Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel — and it must remain undivided.’’
Obama made that statement because he is clueless about foreign policy, understands little and is not that bright and not that well educated. And, he thought he’d pander to the Jewish vote, and to strong supporters of Israel in general. He probably thinks he needs to show strong support for Israel as just a general campaign tactic, though he probably sympathizes much more with the ‘Palestinians’.
Was the teleprompter running?
Things are not always what they seem, grasshopper.
This incident merely warns all Americans and indeed all non-Americans as well: Barack Obama is a very dangerous man who must never be sworn in as president of the United States.
They could definately start the sacrifices tomorrow. The temple could take a couple of months, but probably would go up in a year or two. The Lord could come any day, no-one knows the day or the hour and who’s going to argue with Him?
[Obama:]”I Will Stand with the Muslims”
Focal Point USA | June 19, 2008 | Rich Carroll
Posted on 06/20/2008 5:42:47 AM PDT by Paige
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2033818/posts
Fundamentally Freund: Oy-bama!
(Jewish Support For Obama Slipping Alert)
Jerusalem Post | 6/24/2008 | Michael Freund
Posted on 06/25/2008 12:22:13 AM PDT by goldstategop
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2036045/posts
Israel Justified over Military Exercise - Obama
Gulf News | 06.21.2008 | Gulf News
Posted on 06/21/2008 6:01:16 AM PDT by Coffee200am
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034308/posts
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