Obama: I've Done More for Israel than previous Administrations -Daniel Halper
Last night, at a campaign fund-raising event in New York City with Jewish donors, President Obama had this to say about his record regarding Israel:
"I try not to pat myself too much on the back, but this administration has done more in terms of the security of the state of Israel than any previous administration. Whether it's making sure that our intelligence cooperation is effective, to making sure that we're able to construct something like an Iron Dome ...we have been consistent in insisting that we don't compromise when it comes to Israel’s security."
[But] a Democratic pro-Israel insider [wrote the following in an email]:
"Making the conscious choice to distance us from Israel, and blaming them for the failure to make progress toward peace, while putting no blame on the Palestinians whatsoever, has badly undermined Israel's position in the region, in the international community, and in the peace process, while emboldening their enemies."
"Not to mention that by walking away from written
agreements we made with Israel, and denying the sheer existence of
others, let alone threatening the entire bilateral relationship in a fit
of presidential pique, this White House had badly damaged the trust
that underpins the relationship."
"How can Israel count on the security relationship
he is so anxious to tout if the president can so casually walk away from
American understandings? Sort of undercuts his claims, don't you think?"
[The Weekly Standard]
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3 comments:
I'm very much afraid I have to agree. BHO doesn't seem to have grasped the notion that Israel ideologically is a piece of the West surrounded by destructive forces.
Another complicated issue. There is no doubt that what Obama has said about Israel and what it must do has undermined Israeli confidence in him. There is also no doubt that nothing has substantially changed for the better or worse because of Obama's rhetoric in regards to Israel. The Arabs already blame Israel for everything and the UN and the world has failed to ever old the Palestinians responsible for anything. These are part of the reason nothing has been accomplished in the MidEast. While trying his own path which has been more critical of Israel in verbiage, Obama has still defended their interests in the UN, pressured the Palestinians not to try to circumnavigate the peace process, and provided as much technology and weaponry as any other administration. He has been a more effective anti-terrorism president than the last administration and has made real inroads against Al-Qaeda. He rightfully pulled out of our failure in Iraq that destabilized the area and empowered Iran and stalemate in Afghanistan because those were handled so ineptly that at this point there was little else for him to do. But by doing so he can rest a war weary nation likely military threats we will eventually have to aim at Iran which would seem hollow if threatened now as we are still stretched thin and things are too tense back home. The MidEast won't be fixed in a day. Presidents that talked a good game helped create the mess the MidEast is in today. In total, Obama has provided for Israel as well as any administration, but it does not mean he has to agree with them completely. Even friends have differences of opinion.
I must agree with John V.
LHwrites, your statement that "nothing has substantially changed for the better or worse because of Obama's rhetoric in regards to Israel" is certainly one way to slice the pie.
But while I respect that view, I believe it is an incorrect slicing.
President Obama's words have done much to give the world a green light to join the fray in terms of criticizing Israel. Words matter. A lot. Especially the President's words.
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