Posted on 01/04/2009 1:44:34 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
BEIRUT — President-elect Barack Obama's silence on the weeklong conflict in Gaza is drawing criticism among Arabs who have grown skeptical about hopes that his administration will break with the Mideast policies of the Bush era.
Obama has made no statements, either about Israel's bombing of Gaza or Palestinian rocket attacks against Israel.
Arab commentators maintain that Obama did comment on foreign affairs when he condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. They suggest that his refusal to speak out on Gaza — where more than 400 Palestinians have died in the Israeli airstrikes, compared to four Israeli deaths from the rockets — implies indifference to the plight of Palestinians or even complicity with Israel's bombing campaign.
Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council scheduled emergency consultations Saturday night to address the escalation of violence in Gaza.
In Europe, demonstrators hurled shoes outside the British prime minister's residence in London Saturday. In a dozen other European cities, protesters waved Palestinian flags as tens of thousands protested Israel's bombardment.
In downtown Ankara, Turkey, protesters shouted, "Killer Israel."
In Cyprus, demonstrators pelted riot police with rocks, sticks, shoes and oranges near the Israeli embassy in Nicosia.
Arab reaction to Obama's silence was emphasized by satellite TV network Al Jazeera, which contrasted footage of Obama wearing shorts and playing golf in Hawaii with scenes of the carnage in Gaza, by way of highlighting what it called "the deafening silence from the Obama team."
(Excerpt) Read more at stltoday.com ...
"Present."
He’s about to find out that voting “present” doesn’t exactly work when you’re the “president”
LOL.
I add and unaccountable.
Obama is pathetic excuse for a human being.
God help us!
Oh, he’ll make it work ... he’s the “messiah”, remember?
You are so funny. Isn't it funny that the arabs expect their fellow MUSLIM to speak out against the Jews. Jews in this country who voted for Obama should be ashamed of themselves. I suspect before the end of the Obama administration they will be.
Compared to four Israeli deaths? I guess they forgot to count all the suicide bombers and ones that resulted from the previous what 6000 rockets?
Their Muslim buddy Obama voted present, what more do they want.
Mr. Presentident
“Present.”
—
lol
That’ll make for a nice little carved plaque on the desk in the Oval Orifice.. brief and to the point. right up there with Harry Truman’s “The buck stops here.” and Clinton’s “PiZZa&Interns or Bust!” .
I don't think they would really want a proportional response. A proportional response would be Israel launching 6000 randomly targeted rockets into Gaza.
But he was only “present” 143 days in four years. Maybe he was a part-timer.
They’ve got his number. They can call him if they need him.
4 deaths, but not from lack of trying! It’s the thought that counts.
The One has already got the gay community up in arms. Now the Muslim backers. And He hasn't even been inaugurated.
Just wait until that lady on YouTube finds out he isn't going to put gas in her tank or pay her mortgage.
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