Democratic Presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama, delivered a speech to a Chicago-based AIPAC audience today, strongly condemning the Bush Administration's failed Iraq policy and specifically highlighting how it places "Israel and other nations friendly to the United States in greater peril" as it has "strengthened Iran's strategic position."
Furthermore, an op-ed in yesterday's Jerusalem Post expressed the utmost confidence in Senator Obama's pro-Israel sentiment:
[...]Senator Barack Obama has also shown strong understanding for Israel. In a June 2004 speech, Obama summarized the Democratic position: "Our first and immutable commitment must be to the security of Israel, our only true ally in the Middle East and the only democracy. The administration's failure to be consistently involved in helping Israel achieve peace with the Palestinians has been both wrong for our friendship with Israel, as well as badly damaging to our standing in the Arab world."
More recently, Obama said, "My view is that the United States's special relationship with Israel obligates us to be helpful to them in the search for credible partners with whom they can make peace, while also supporting Israel in defending itself against enemies sworn to its destruction."
Obama's powerful statements on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East provide great insight on the Senator's staunch support for Israel and his belief in following the Democratic Party's continued support for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.
This is such a complete oversimplification of Obama's speech. Whoever wrote this post read what they wanted to read into the speech. It is much more nuanced than you are giving credit for. I'd suggest that anyone reading this post read the speech and possibly read my critique of it at my blog (linked to this comment).
Posted by: Richard Silverstein | March 05, 2007 at 09:05 PM
Below is an Op-Ed piece which appeared in the Jerusalem Post of March 1, 2007.
Mar. 1, 2007 22:41
The Democrats - good for Israel in 2008
By SHELDON SCHORER, COUNSEL TO DEMOCRATS ABROAD ISRAEL
The 2008 election will give American voters in Israel an opportunity to rectify the harmful legacy of the two Bush administrations by electing a Democrat to the presidency. The Republican candidates pride themselves on their identification with President George W. Bush and his policies. Only a Democrat can bring about change and lead the United States and Israel out of the current quagmire and into a position of greater peace and security.
The centerpiece of Bush's foreign policy, his war on terror, has been a disastrous failure. America has not lessened the threat of international terrorism, which has grown. American weakness - symbolized by troops mired in Afghanistan and Iraq - and the consequent loss of international political clout have had a devastating effect on Israel's security, making it less secure today than it was during the Bill Clinton era.
In addition to emboldening Hizbullah and Hamas, America has failed to dissuade Iran from pursuing an aggressive program of nuclear weapons development.
Both leading Democratic contenders, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, are strong friends of Israel, who understand its needs and who support Israel's efforts to achieve peace and security. A new Democratic president will continue the party's long tradition of support for Israel.
Hillary Clinton's concern and support for Israel's needs are well-known, and she has demonstrated this support in the Senate time and again.
Although his views are lesser known, Senator Barack Obama has also shown strong understanding for Israel. In a June 2004 speech, Obama summarized the Democratic position: "Our first and immutable commitment must be to the security of Israel, our only true ally in the Middle East and the only democracy. The administration's failure to be consistently involved in helping Israel achieve peace with the Palestinians has been both wrong for our friendship with Israel, as well as badly damaging to our standing in the Arab world."
More recently, Obama said, "My view is that the United States's special relationship with Israel obligates us to be helpful to them in the search for credible partners with whom they can make peace, while also supporting Israel in defending itself against enemies sworn to its destruction."
The Bush era of cowboy diplomacy, which has been marked by instability and insecurity, will soon come to an end. A Democratic victory will reverse this trend and will result in increased stability and security for both the United States and Israel.
Posted by: Sheldon Schorer | March 06, 2007 at 12:29 AM
Peace can be achieved between Israel and Palestine but there a few politicion in the Mid-east and their friends who would block this at all cost for their own ends. Who are these politicians hidden at the back stage? For the US, dipolmacy would be the best way out to assist Israel and the world.
Posted by: Kahn Arshad | March 12, 2007 at 12:00 PM