Thursday, April 22, 2010

Whose friend?

Recently I have been inundated by articles critical of Pres. Obama's policies towards Israel, often by died-in-the-wool Democrats, that represent a turning point in American Jewish support for Obama. Typical are the critical statement issued by the Head of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald Lauder ( http://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/main/showNews/id/9264 ) and an article ("A dangerous silence") by former NY Mayor Ed Koch ( http://yonkerstribune.typepad.com/yonkers_tribune/2010/04/ed-koch-commentary-a-dangerous-silence-by-edward-i-koch.html ). Also, the NY Times published an important front-page story that is indicative of this change of US policy:
"It was just a phrase at the end of Pres Obama's news conference on Tuesday, but it was a stark reminder of a far-reaching shift in how the United States views the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and how aggressively it might push for a peace agreement. When Mr. Obama declared that resolving the long-running Middle East dispute was a “vital national security interest of the United States,” he was highlighting a change that has resulted from a lengthy debate among his top officials over how best to balance support for Israel against other American interests. This shift, described by administration officials who did not want to be quoted by name when discussing internal discussions, is driving the White House’s urgency to help broker a Middle East peace deal. It increases the likelihood that Mr. Obama, frustrated by the inability of the Israelis and the Palestinians to come to terms, will offer his own proposed parameters for an eventual Palestinian state. Mr. Obama said conflicts like the one in the Middle East ended up “costing us significantly in terms of both blood and treasure” — drawing an explicit link between the Israeli-Palestinian strife and the safety of American soldiers as they battle Islamic extremism and terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere."
( http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/world/middleeast/15mideast.html )

The demands made by Pres. Obama on PM Netanyahu at their difficult last meeting in the White House have become clear during the past few weeks:
Israel should extend the building freeze on the West Bank beyond the 10 month period.
Israel should extend the freeze on building to East Jerusalem.
Israel should withdraw IDF forces from around the PA cities to the positions held before the last intifada.
Israel should release all Palestinian prisoners.
Israel should remove roadblocks within the West Bank to allow greater movement of Palestinian people.
Israel should remove the blockade of Gaza.

Note that all these demands apply to Israel; as far as we know the Obama Administration has made no direct demands on Pres. Abbas and the PA. In fact these demands are exactly what the Palestinians want. With this one-sided attitude, notwithstanding the fine sentiments expressed by Secty of State Clinton on Israel's Independence Day, we must be very worried. Another straw in the wind, Israel has released information that Syria has smuggled Scud cruise missiles to Hizbullah in Lebanon, contrary to UN resolution SC1701 that ended the Secdon Lebanon War. Hizbullah have confirmed that they have received Scud missiles, although they claim they are "old" versions. But, the US refuses to confirm this, only saying that there are "reports" of this smuggling. Meanwhile, at the same time Obama has sent a new US Ambassador to Syria to improve bilateral relations. It is this cozying up to Islamic extremist States that should make every freedom-loving American worried and suspicious. During Obama's watch Lebanon has lost its sovereignty, Hizbollah has re-armed to an incredible extent (they now have 40,000 rockets and can hit any part of Israel), Iran is fast approaching achieving nuclear weapons, and Obama continues to talk about sanctions and to put pressure on Israel. With friends like these who needs enemies!

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