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God lead our troops
On Obama and Israel, Rage Without Reason
Good Fences
By J.J. Goldberg
Published July 29, 2009, issue of August 07, 2009.
Alarm bells have been ringing around the neighborhood pretty much nonstop since July 13, when President Obama sat down to talk Middle East policy at the White House with a pack of leaders from a dozen American Jewish organizations.
The meeting was supposed to help buff up Obamas relationship with the Jewish community, which is bubbling lately with resentment at the presidents aggressive peace-processing. By reaching out to the communitys customary spokesmen, he hoped to build rapport and perhaps recruit a few backers for his policies. Instead he unleashed a whirlwind of attacks against himself, his administration and the Jews who met with him.
The critics accuse Obama of unfairly singling out Israel by demanding a unilateral settlement freeze, without requiring reciprocal Palestinian concessions, and disregarding past American promises to permit some construction. They say he is trying to curry favor with the Arab world, breaking a long-standing presidential tradition of siding automatically with Israel. Some say he is threatening the important legacy of George W. Bush. I didnt make that one up.
Martin Peretz, the editor-in-chief of The New Republic, wrote on his blog that he was sick and tired of Obamas hectoring of Israel. He was particularly offended by the presidents condescending advice to Israel, via some 15 American Jewish leaders, to engage in some serious self-reflection. Heaven spare us.
On Obama and Israel, Rage Without Reason â Forward.com
Good Fences
By J.J. Goldberg
Published July 29, 2009, issue of August 07, 2009.
Alarm bells have been ringing around the neighborhood pretty much nonstop since July 13, when President Obama sat down to talk Middle East policy at the White House with a pack of leaders from a dozen American Jewish organizations.
The meeting was supposed to help buff up Obamas relationship with the Jewish community, which is bubbling lately with resentment at the presidents aggressive peace-processing. By reaching out to the communitys customary spokesmen, he hoped to build rapport and perhaps recruit a few backers for his policies. Instead he unleashed a whirlwind of attacks against himself, his administration and the Jews who met with him.
The critics accuse Obama of unfairly singling out Israel by demanding a unilateral settlement freeze, without requiring reciprocal Palestinian concessions, and disregarding past American promises to permit some construction. They say he is trying to curry favor with the Arab world, breaking a long-standing presidential tradition of siding automatically with Israel. Some say he is threatening the important legacy of George W. Bush. I didnt make that one up.
Martin Peretz, the editor-in-chief of The New Republic, wrote on his blog that he was sick and tired of Obamas hectoring of Israel. He was particularly offended by the presidents condescending advice to Israel, via some 15 American Jewish leaders, to engage in some serious self-reflection. Heaven spare us.
On Obama and Israel, Rage Without Reason â Forward.com
