Patterico's Pontifications

3/26/2010

Obama’s Commitment to Israel

Filed under: International,Obama — DRJ @ 10:44 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

Prof. Jacobson at Le-gal In-sur-rec-tion writes that Hamas responded to Barack Obama’s dismissive humiliation of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu by killing two Israeli soldiers.

President Obama’s recent attitude toward Israel and Netanyahu is a far cry from his promises during the Presidential campaign, when he proclaimed strong support for Israel in speeches like this June 2008 AIPAC appearance:

“Our alliance is based on shared interests and shared values. Those who threaten Israel threaten us. Israel has always faced these threats on the front lines. And I will bring to the White House an unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security.
***
Let me be clear. Israel’s security is sacrosanct. It is non-negotiable. The Palestinians need a state that is contiguous and cohesive, and that allows them to prosper — but any agreement with the Palestinian people must preserve Israel’s identity as a Jewish state, with secure, recognized and defensible borders. Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided.

I have no illusions that this will be easy. It will require difficult decisions on both sides. But Israel is strong enough to achieve peace, if it has partners who are committed to the goal. Most Israelis and Palestinians want peace, and we must strengthen their hand. The United States must be a strong and consistent partner in this process — not to force concessions, but to help committed partners avoid stalemate and the kind of vacuums that are filled by violence. That’s what I commit to do as president of the United States.”

Apparently that commitment had an expiration date.

— DRJ

13 Responses to “Obama’s Commitment to Israel”

  1. Bill Clinton said he would jump in a trench with a rifle to defend Israel. Obama stiffs their PM for dinner, issues him ultimatums for concessions to genocidal maniacs, and tells them to stop building in their capital. Go figure.

    daleyrocks (718861)

  2. Indeed. How dare those Palestinians return fire against the foreign troops who invaded their country.

    snips (6a0094)

  3. Indeed, snips, you are a fool. It is a threat to our national security that Israel wants to build apartments. When are we going to start seeing the smart diplomacy that the Dems yammered on and on about?

    JD (0bc94e)

  4. Write Obama’s words in sand and running water.

    (My apologies to the poet.)

    ropelight (dfb431)

  5. Campaign promises expired Jan 21st, 2009.

    Tyrconnell (aa98d5)

  6. The Palestinians joined the Arab countries that invaded Israel. Losing a war has consequences.

    Israel granted them sovereignty and they attacked Israel. Starting a war has consequences.

    The Palestinians are very lucky the Israelis are far more civilized than they are. If the positions were reversed, would there be any living Jews in the region?

    Machinist (9780ec)

  7. Oh and by-the-by, this speech to AIPAC was after it was revealed that canidate Obama’s main foriegn affairs advisor thought that Iraq and Afganistan were misuses of the U.S. Miltary, the proper use would be against the IDF. Today the lady in question, Susan Power, sits in the #2 spot at State.

    Tyrconnell (aa98d5)

  8. Obama said,

    “Let me be clear. Israel’s security is sacrosanct. It is non-negotiable.”

    Question: Has Obama ever told the truth after he says “Let me be clear”?

    Ira (28a423)

  9. Obama said,

    “Let me be clear. Israel’s security is sacrosanct. It is non-negotiable.”

    Question: Has Obama ever told the truth after he says “Let me be clear”?

    Comment by Ira

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Excellent point, Ira.

    GeneralMalaise (2bc526)

  10. snips

    If (big “if) you read the story, you would know that
    Hamas crossed into Israel to plant a bomb… which precipitated a defensive/offensive response.

    Israel’s existence is not the fault of the Israelis… it is probably better described as the fault of Hitler.

    WWII left us with the problem of what to do with the Jews that had been disenfranchised and then consolidated into camps.

    We can argue all day long about that decision made back in what seems like ancient history, but today Jews live in a recognized state called Israel and have the right of a vigorous self defense.

    Exit question:
    Why do the Jordanians and Egyptians close their borders to Palestinians? Tough love or distaste?

    Steve G (7d4c78)

  11. I’m still waiting to hear one truth from the worst President in history. His only accomplishment in life is being a world class liar.

    Scrapiron (4e0dda)

  12. “If (big “if) you read the story, you would know that Hamas crossed into Israel to plant a bomb”

    Wrong, just deceptive writing by the “news” source cited in the OP.

    The Israelis crossed into Gaza and were killed there.

    “On Friday evening, Major Eliraz Peretz, 31, from Eli, deputy commander of the Golani Brigade’s Battalion 12 and Staff Sergeant Ilan Sviatkovsky from Rishon Lezion, were killed in the southern Gaza Strip. ”

    http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=171895

    snips (6a0094)

  13. Actually, Obama’s promise about Jerusalem had an expiration date … of 2 days:

    DIVISION OF JERUSALEM

    STATEMENT: “Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided.” — speech before AIPAC, June 4, 2008

    EXPIRATION DATE: June 6, 2008: “Jerusalem is a final status issue, which means it has to be negotiated between the two parties” as part of “an agreement that they both can live with.” – an Obama adviser clarifying his remarks to the Jerusalem Post.

    (from NRO’s Campaign Spot)

    SPQR (159590)


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