Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Avoiding euphoria over Obama
Jerusalem Post ^ | 02/21/2011 | ISI LEIBLER

Posted on 02/22/2011 5:19:57 AM PST by SJackson

It is chilling to contemplate how the administration may seek to "balance" its veto by imposing new pressures on Israel. Talkbacks (5) A strange euphoria seems to have blinded some Israelis and American Jews concerning the context of President Barack Obama’s veto of a UN resolution.

In the past, blatantly one-sided anti- Israeli resolutions were vetoed as a matter of course. On this occasion, the issue was complicated because of the Obama administration’s disastrous, long-standing obsession with the settlements, which paved the way for the unprecedented Palestinian demand for a settlement freeze as a precondition to negotiations.

Desperate to avoid employing the veto, Obama extended extraordinary concessions to the Palestinians if they agreed to modify the language of the resolution.

He offered a Security Council “presidential statement” expressing identical views to the resolution condemning the Jewish presence in the West Bank and Jerusalem. He was willing to endorse a Russian proposal for a Security Council fact-finding mission on settlements and a proposed expansion of the Quartet’s involvement to cover areas ranging from the 1967 borders to the political status of Jerusalem.

According to The Wall Street Journal, at the last moment Obama phoned PA President Mahmoud Abbas offering to endorse or abstain on the resolution if the Palestinians agreed to replace the word “illegal” with “illegitimate” in relation to settlements.

Normal procedure after such a vote would have been a simple US statement that the resolution was one-sided and that the Security Council was not the venue to engage in this issue. It could also have noted that Israel had frozen settlements for 10 months while the Palestinians still refused to negotiate.

Instead, US Ambassador Susan Rice made a supplementary statement condemning settlements, employing some of the most vehement language against the Jewish state ever used by a senior US official.

THAT ABBAS refused to accept Obama’s extraordinary offers reflects the fact that the Palestinians are now being hoisted by their own petard. Their incitement has been so effective that following the Al Jazeera disclosures of concessions discussed behind closed doors – which they had no intention of ever implementing or even revealing to their people – they cannot now contemplate the slightest compromise without being condemned as traitors.

With global anti-Israeli hostility combining with the seething cauldron of revolution in the Arab world, Abbas is confident that by avoiding negotiations, he will oblige the Obama administration to intensify pressure on Israel.

He also appreciates the effectiveness of engaging in “lawfare” rather than terrorism, with a massive program of demonization, boycott and delegitimization in the UN pipeline where the most outrageously anti-Israeli resolutions are guaranteed an automatic majority. We can anticipate a cascade of resolutions seeking to transform Israel into a pariah state, accusing it of breaching international law, branding its leaders as war criminals and seeking to drag it into the International Court of Justice.

The US relationship now assumes even greater importance to our security, both militarily and diplomatically. In this context, despite harsh criticism from the political Right, full credit should be accorded to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for his diplomatic tightrope walk with the Obama administration.

He made concessions, but succeeded in resisting the most outrageous demands, thus averting a catastrophic breakdown in relations.

It is likely that despite the disastrous consequences of Obama’s failed efforts to engage with rogue states, were he not facing reelection, he would not allow Israel’s security to stand in the way of his efforts to appease the Islamic world.

But despite his groveling to the Palestinians before and after the UN Security Council resolution, he was ultimately obliged to exercise the US veto for the first time since he gained office. He did so only out of a realization that he would have faced widespread condemnation from Congress and even his own party had he failed to do so.

But our problems will intensify in the months to come. It is chilling to contemplate how the administration may seek to “balance” its veto by imposing new pressures on Israel, which could soon be facing rejectionist states on most of its borders.

We must now invest all our resources into strengthening US-Israel ties. We are fortunate that the military support under the Obama administration has been strengthened. But in light of uncertainties with the new Egypt, and Iran’s growing regional influence, that support assumes an even greater importance.

The Netanyahu government must now ensure that the Obama administration does not have a pretext for abandoning us in the diplomatic arena. It must urgently craft strategies to deal with the difficult days ahead.

We need to reiterate our willingness for a two-state regime. But that can only be implemented when the Palestinian leaders are ready for peace, are willing to tell their people the truth, and when it is clear that as the IDF departs, the West Bank will not be transformed into Hamastan.

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS is unlikely in the foreseeable future. For now, all we can do is continue enhancing the economic status of the Palestinians and seek interim solutions. This may give them the incentive to choose leaders willing to accept peace.

There are difficult decisions to be made on issues that impinge on our national security that can no longer be held in abeyance because of short-term political interests. If we fail to move in this direction, we will face determined efforts to impose a solution which could place our future in jeopardy. We should also identify those territories we would annex if the Palestinians unilaterally abrogate the Oslo Accords and declare an independent state.

Our government – preferably a unity government – can no longer prevaricate; it must now bite the bullet and make the tough decisions about borders, security and settlements that a majority of the nation will endorse.

We must have a comprehensive plan if we are to persuade the American public and Congress to remain steadfast.

Otherwise, the Obama administration might throw us to the wolves.


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Israel; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: avoiding; euphoria; israel; obama; obamanation; vetopower
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-51 next last

1 posted on 02/22/2011 5:19:59 AM PST by SJackson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SJackson

Israel and Jews in general are getting just what thwey deserve. And please don’t defend them it’s a waste of time. Jews by and large are socialists and as such support our democrat socialist party and it’s socialist agenda. So they are reaping the harvest they have sown.

Until they change what they sow they shall reap God’s wrath.


2 posted on 02/22/2011 5:31:01 AM PST by stockpirate (U-6 Total unemployed for January 2011 16.1 percent)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SJackson

So far, I’ve found it easy to avoid euphoria over him.


3 posted on 02/22/2011 5:32:12 AM PST by Izzy Dunne (Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dennisw; Cachelot; Nix 2; veronica; Catspaw; knighthawk; Alouette; Optimist; weikel; Lent; GregB; ..
Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

4 posted on 02/22/2011 5:33:15 AM PST by SJackson (In wine there is wisdom, In beer there is freedom, In water there is bacteria.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SJackson

Bump.


5 posted on 02/22/2011 5:37:19 AM PST by GlockThe Vote (Who needs Al Queda to worry about when we have Obama?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stockpirate
I've no cause to defend my faith to you.

You make the "conservative" position clear, G-d hates Jews and is bringing his wrath down upon them. Using Islam.

6 posted on 02/22/2011 5:41:31 AM PST by SJackson (In wine there is wisdom, In beer there is freedom, In water there is bacteria.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SJackson; Mrs. B.S. Roberts

Stockpirate did not attack our FAITH, sir. Rather, he attacked the POLITICS of too many of us. He spoke a sad truth in that the majority of Jews are, sadly, out and out socialists. They voted overwhelmingly for a man who was obviously an enemy of our people. Most buy into every disastrous socialistic scheme that comes down the pike.
They support policies that will, in the end, lead to our own devastation. In the end, they will cry to the heavens, “Oh G-D, how could you let this happen again?”
The answer may well be, “But this is what you voted for.”


7 posted on 02/22/2011 6:35:59 AM PST by CaptainAmiigaf ( NY Times: We print the news as it fits our views.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: SJackson

I was not in any manner questioning your faith. I was only saying that if the Jewish people want to see different results they need to try different behaviour.

Supporting socialists will result in what they are now seeing.

For instance, the German socialists in Hitler day had 2-3 NAZI divisions of mooselibs aka muslims, in the Balkins assigned to the final solution.

read more at:

http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com

For who is a Jew, I am a Jew of the tribe of Abraham through the blessing of Jesus.


8 posted on 02/22/2011 8:04:52 AM PST by stockpirate (U-6 Total unemployed for January 2011 16.1 percent)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: SJackson

Why be Euphoric? The fact is that Obama hasn’t got a clue amd makes it up as he goes along.


9 posted on 02/22/2011 8:43:19 AM PST by Venturer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stockpirate; SJackson; CaptainAmiigaf; ml/nj; rmlew; ExTexasRedhead; Eleutheria5; MeanWestTexan; ...
I was not in any manner questioning your faith. I was only saying that if the Jewish people want to see different results they need to try different behavior.

To stockpirate:

I understand your point, but you can and should be more nuanced so that you will not be misinterpreted as painting with too broad of a brush.

Please do not conveniently lump all Jews in the same boat, because that is not reality. Jews in the US - statistically - are gradually moving away from the left, just as the country as a whole is. Jews in Israel have put into place a "right-wing" government, at least on paper. So not all Jews are into socialism, nor are all Jews "euphoric over Obama" in any sense, not by a long shot.

10 posted on 02/22/2011 9:33:54 AM PST by justiceseeker93
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: stockpirate; justiceseeker93

I believe you might be confusing having faith in God with having faith in DemocRATs :)


11 posted on 02/22/2011 9:53:20 AM PST by Nachum (The complete Obama list at www.nachumlist.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: stockpirate

I’ve never supported a socialist in my life, nor has anyone in my family.

You’re an idiot.


12 posted on 02/22/2011 11:52:12 AM PST by Jewbacca (The residents of Iroquois territory may not determine whether Jews may live in Jerusalem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Izzy Dunne

I think they meant to say euthanasia with Obama, not the other thing.


13 posted on 02/22/2011 11:56:30 AM PST by A CA Guy ( God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: stockpirate
Israel and Jews in general are getting just what thwey deserve. And please don’t defend them it’s a waste of time. Jews by and large are socialists and as such support our democrat socialist party and it’s socialist agenda. So they are reaping the harvest they have sown.
And what has Israel done? 3 Israeli parties (Likud, Yisrael Beitenu, and Kadima) are free-market and, to varying degrees nationalists. They are all descendants of the union of Classical Liberal parties and nationalists. For the past decade, Israel has been privatizing national sectors.

Israelis can';t vote in American elections. Americans in Israel voted overwhelmingly for McCain in 2008, and I doubt the margin came from Arab-Americans!

American Jews don't vote on the basis of Israel, and Obama knows it.

A majority of Americans voted for Obama. Enjoy your suffering for our collective error.

14 posted on 02/23/2011 12:09:27 AM PST by rmlew (You want change? Vote for the most conservative electable in your state or district.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Jewbacca

It is a known fact that American Jews in general are overwhelingly democrats, and by large margins.


15 posted on 02/23/2011 6:29:15 AM PST by stockpirate (U-6 Total unemployed for January 2011 16.1 percent)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: stockpirate

“It is a known fact that American Jews in general are overwhelingly democrats, and by large margins.”

Self-reported Jews, yes. Just like self-reported Roman Catholics.

But on a larger point, who cares? What does the voting habits of Americans happen to be Jewish have to do with Israel?

Should we seek to punish Italy because Americans of Italian descent are overwhelmingly Democrat?


16 posted on 02/23/2011 7:39:28 AM PST by Jewbacca (The residents of Iroquois territory may not determine whether Jews may live in Jerusalem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Jewbacca

I do not support punishing any one, I only said they are reaping the harvest they have sown.

Look at FL, how many NASA employees around the country voted the socialists in? Now look at what the socialists have done to NASA, serves them right.

NO, we are not punishing them, the people they support and vote for are however. I just tire of the whining fprm them when it happens.

So, why why post an article about Obama and the democrats not supporting Israel or the Jews but not want any “hey look at their behaviour” posts.


17 posted on 02/23/2011 9:09:42 AM PST by stockpirate (U-6 Total unemployed for January 2011 16.1 percent)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Jewbacca

BTW- I think it is funny that Catholic hospitals may close because of the way a lot of Catholics voted in the socialists.And all those democrats that have lost their homes, jobs and saving. I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTLY FUNNY.


18 posted on 02/23/2011 9:11:52 AM PST by stockpirate (U-6 Total unemployed for January 2011 16.1 percent)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Jewbacca

BTW- I think it is funny that Catholic hospitals may close because of the way a lot of Catholics voted in the socialists.And all those democrats that have lost their homes, jobs and savings. I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTLY FUNNY.


19 posted on 02/23/2011 9:12:07 AM PST by stockpirate (U-6 Total unemployed for January 2011 16.1 percent)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: stockpirate

“I only said they are reaping the harvest they have sown.”

Israeli Jews did not sow this harvest.

In constrast, American ex-pats in Israel vote overwhelmingly Republican.

Your logical lapse is to give joy to the punishment of Israelis for actions of theoretically Jewish people who themselves have rejected Israel by not making aliyah.


20 posted on 02/23/2011 10:12:03 AM PST by Jewbacca (The residents of Iroquois territory may not determine whether Jews may live in Jerusalem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-51 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson