Posted on 05/26/2010 3:09:29 PM PDT by Jewbacca
A White House photograph of U.S. President Barack Obama with his feet on his desk while speaking on the phone with Binyamin Netanyahu has turned into a news story in own right, with reporters in Israel and elsewhere speculating that it was meant to send a message of disrespect. The photograph, snapped by White House photographer Pete Sousa, was sent out to news media earlier this week. The ripples began with an article by a political correspondent for the Hebrew-language newspaper Haaretz who noted the photograph and interpreted its meaning in a way that is consistent with the newspaper’s pro-Palestinian Authority position: A photo released by the White House, which shows Obama talking on the phone with Netanyahu on Monday, speaks volumes: The president is seen with his legs up on the table, his face stern and his fist clenched, as though he were dictating to Netanyahu: "Listen up and write 'Palestinian state' a hundred times. That's right, Palestine, with a P." As an enthusiast of Muslim culture, Obama surely knows there is no greater insult in the Middle East than pointing the soles of one's shoes at another person. Indeed, photos of other presidential phone calls depict Obama leaning on his desk, with his feet on the floor. The story was then picked up by at least one Israeli TV newscaster, who in turn was quoted by Howard Arenstein of the World Watch news blog on CBS news. Israeli TV newscasters Tuesday night interpreted a photo taken Monday in the Oval Office of President “Obama talking on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an ‘insult’ to Israel,” Arenstein reported.
(Excerpt) Read more at israelnationalnews.com ...
Sends an even bigger message when that SOB has his filthy hooves on the desk in the White house!!
It should be read in conjunction with today’s article where Rahm Emmanuel went to Israel for family events, ran up a big bill for squid (non-kosher) and tried to stick the Israeli government with the bill.
It’s a subtle insult of “whose the boss.”
Maybe you have to be Middle Eastern to understand the posturing.
What is particularly curious is Obama, of course, post-dates Bush and was certainly aware of the kerfluffle Bush caused in a “feet up” incident. Made the New York times.
Especially as a muslim, or at least arabist, Obam knew the message he was sending to the arab world -— “Sit, Bibi, sit. Israel is my dog!”
And it is NOT Obama’s usual pose. He did it specifically while talking with Bibi.
Couple this with the amazing breach of protocol re: the meal, etc, and a pattern takes place.
He tried, but did he succeed.. who paid the bill?
I think the bill is currently unpaid.
If it was me, I’d have the custom guards spot Rahm at the border and not let him leave until his bill is paid. (This is the usual treatment for tourists who try to skip on a bill.)
Here:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/137662
Fiue. Next time I see a motorcade of the 0ne, I will wave at him with the soles of my shoes.
My thoughts also. My god the man has as much class as a slug.
Muslims got this message loud and clear!!! It is a blatant sign of disrespect to show someone the sole of your shoe.
showing the sole of your shoe to someone is a muslim insult
excellent
background cultural discussion about this muslim insult
He didn’t have to say anything. His crude actions said it all. He has no taste, class or dignity.
If I recall, Bush did it all the time, too.
It is kind of tacky.
“Next time I see a motorcade of the 0ne, I will wave at him with the soles of my shoes.”
Be pretty funny if USA crowds take to waiving shoes at the Won.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Should have a pic of him talking to BO while he is on the pot.
“The photograph, snapped by White House photographer Pete Sousa, was sent out to news media earlier this week.” Dated 5/25/2010
The Photo may be old, but White House released (or re-released it) it this week as a photo of dear leader talking to Bibi. Not really stale after all.
This means they knew exactly what message they wanted to send the muslims and the Israelis
obama making sure the muslims know he is their homie
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