How Barack Obama learned to love Israel
Ali Abunimah, The Electronic Intifada, 4 March 2007
Snip:
Over the years since I first saw Obama speak I met him about half a dozen times, often at Palestinian and Arab-American community events in Chicago including a May 1998 community fundraiser at which Edward Said was the keynote speaker. In 2000, when Obama unsuccessfully ran for Congress I heard him speak at a campaign fundraiser hosted by a University of Chicago professor. On that occasion and others Obama was forthright in his criticism of US policy and his call for an even-handed approach to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The last time I spoke to Obama was in the winter of 2004 at a gathering in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. He was in the midst of a primary campaign to secure the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate seat he now occupies. But at that time polls showed him trailing.
As he came in from the cold and took off his coat, I went up to greet him. He responded warmly, and volunteered, “Hey, I’m sorry I haven’t said more about Palestine right now, but we are in a tough primary race. I’m hoping when things calm down I can be more up front.” He referred to my activism, including columns I was contributing to the The Chicago Tribune critical of Israeli and US policy, “Keep up the good work!”
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article6619.shtml
Let’s not forget these:
Gaza’s Obama campaign
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21YF7ggCG6g
Hamas Adviser Praises Barack Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTCgWpDNyjI
Obama Advisor Forced To Resign After Hamas Meeting Exposed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxzgn4fj4vw