This is a prime example of a dictator tossing supporters overboard when he no longer needs them. Jews make up 2.2% of the US population but hold disproportionate influence to their numbers due to larger concentrations of wealth in the Jewish population as well as the prominence of Jewish leaders in business, academia, politics, and the medical profession. Jews have been historically extremely liberal politically, supplying significant funding for the Democrat party as well as funding left wing political action groups. American Jews have also been big supporters of Israel, although some of the secular Jews in recent years seem to be less fervent in their support. US foreign policy for decades has tilted toward Israel and away from the Arabs due to the strong political influence of the American Jewish community as well as strong support from evangelical Christians in the Republican party.
Obama is the first US president raised in the Muslim faith. His father and stepfather were Muslims. He lived and was schooled in a Muslim nation during his early years. In his early adult life he was heavily influence spiritually by Jeremiah Wright who had been a Muslim. Whether or not he is currently a practicing Muslim, Obama clearly has strong sympathies for Muslims. As President, one of his first acts was to speak to the Muslim world. He has appointed radical Muslims to his administration.
Obama’s treatment of the prime minister of Israel during his recent visit to the White House was intentional. It communicated a lack of respect for the man and his country as well as signaled to the world symbolically an end to the special relationship with Israel. He is intentionally picking an unnecessary fight with Israel over the settlements. He is giving Islamic radicals a green light to attack Israel by signaling the US no longer supports the Jewish state.
With respect to the American Jewish community, Obama is telling them they are too small in numbers to matter at the ballot box. Furthermore, he has developed alternative sources of funding so even if the Jewish community stopped supporting him financially, he would have no problem funding his political campaigns and programs. Finally, Obama has set up the same dilemma for the Jewish community true conservatives have faced with the Republican establishment. Liberal Jews are unlikely to bolt the Democrat party over Israel because the Republican positions on social issues (gays, abortion, entitlement programs) are an anathema to them. Obama is counting on them to hold their nose and vote Democrat as the lesser of two evils in the same way the Republican party has told conservatives for years they are better than the alternative.
His bet is probably a good one. Other than Joe Lieberman, prominent Jews are largely silent on the shift in US policy, even with the shameful conduct of the President. Their statist goals must be taking precedence over any lingering emotional support for the Jewish state.
Obama is allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons. He has maintained the US military presence in the Middle East, despite his campaign promises to immediately pull-out. No doubt the Saudi’s, who funded his campaign under the table, are pulling the strings on the maintenance of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The big question — When Iran gets nuclear weapons, will it use them on Israel, and if so will Obama do anything? Israel is a small country and it won’t take much to completely wipe it off the map. Somehow I can’t see this President using nuclear weapons on Iran or invading Iran if Israel is destroyed. The symbolism of this week’s meeting at the White House is too strong and the failure of the Jewish community to speak out suggests its influence is minimal in this White House.
BUMP to your perceptive analysis.
Jews make up 2.2% of the US population but hold disproportionate influence to their numbers due to larger concentrations of wealth in the Jewish population as well as the prominence of Jewish leaders in business, academia, politics, and the medical profession.
The disproportionate influence of Jews is due to the Creator not their wealth.
The symbolism of this week’s meeting at the White House is too strong and the failure of the Jewish community to speak out suggests its influence is minimal in this White House.
The Jewish community HAS spoken - recently and uncharacteristically demonstrably. See my other post on this thread. To that you can add this Nearly 300 in Congress back keeping U.S.-Israel disputes private
You can be assured much more is going on behind the scenes.