Is Barack Obama an anti-semite?
By Fortunata
@Fortunata (1135)
United States
March 25, 2010 7:31pm CST
I am troubled over the way Obama is treating Israel. Why is he doing this? I have never heard of a president treating a head of state the way Obama has treated Netanyahu. It just seemed petty and childish of him not to have his picture taken with Netanyahu, and then to churlishly inform that he was dining with his wife and children, and just leaving him by himself to be really bizarre behavior. Maybe it's just me, I don't know. I can't remember even Yasir Arafat being treated shabbily by past presidents, and that guy was the head of a terrorist state.1 person likes this
9 responses
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
26 Mar 10
I think they are out of sorts because of their disagreement on Jewish "settlements". Previous presidents supported Israel almost unconditionally and let them get away with anything. I think Obama sees the "settlements" as a snub so he decided not to indulge Israeli transgressions.
@Fortunata (1135)
• United States
28 Mar 10
Thanks guys, for your comments. However, I think it's wrong to treat a head of state like dirt, no matter what. Obama is really starting to look like a rank amateur. It's sad that nobody will take him in hand and steer him in the right direction on protocol. Maybe they want him to hang himself?
@Makro74 (591)
•
26 Mar 10
I thought it was the other way around. Netanyahu is treating the US badly. What is there not to understand? US wants 0 settlement activity in East Jerusalem - peace talks depend on it. Netanyahu slaps Joe Biden and then Obama by two respective announcements on settlements - a direct challenge to the US standing and mutual respect with Israel. Why would he do this? Why does he need to rock a boat which is safe and sound? The US give $2.76 billion in aid to Israel. Is this what it gets back?
But more alarmingly - actually it is typical around these debates - the Jewish bandwagon of anti-semitism starts sounding. This is a pure political fall out with a nations who are friends. But the US is a donor, and Israel like a small brother. Therefore, this question should never arise.
Israel however, MUST refrain from its arrogant stance. It has been like this with its neighbors since has had all the WMD - but it is trying to push its luck with the US. This is the problem of overwhelming support to an unneedy nation, we should be aiding the democracy and not the arrogance!
Moreover, this should be true for any nation, Israel is under scrutiny because of it stance and not because of its Jewish roots.
@Makro74 (591)
•
9 May 10
Democracy - do you forget Mechin Benin? Their terror tactics is what created and maintained Israel the state of Israel in its early inception. King David hotel is conveniently forgotten, the massacre of Palestinians in 1948 because they resisted force to Israeli forced evictions, evidence of Israeli terror lies in the refugee camps created by these forced evictions.
Of course, we can cherry pick on the shortcomings of both Hamas and Iran, but Israel has a lot to answer for when it comes to human right violations.
Far from understanding mere factual evidence, I have the impression that many in Israel are brainwashed and educated to love the Jew and hate all others. I mean, rather than be arrogant and play on the sympathies of the West due to the holocaust, the Jew should promote interfaith and a willingness in intergrate with the world. This is the fundamental problem with the political Jew. Everything against is anti-semitic, but everything for is taken as their God given right!
What you must understand is, all people of all faiths, have wives, husbands, daughters, sons, brothers, mothers, fathers and children, to whom they are loved and want to live in peace. Do you not understand, that you people, with your spacious homes and luxuries from the American taxpayer, want to live in peace with your own love ones, but create hell and misery for the Palestinians. What kind of justice is this?
Palestinians are people, Hamas are an element of that - if you love and cherish your neighbours excluding the likes of Hamas, you will find that anyone trying to destroy you will not be supported simply because they will see the peaceful nature of the Israeli people. Phosphorous munitions and F16's are only used by cowards, againsts a relatively unarmed population. And by using WMD, it only strengthens the resistance. If only Israel could fathom this concept since Israel has so much material power, it just needs to be responsible.
@veromar (1453)
• Argentina
26 Mar 10
Hi Fortunata. I do not think that President Obama is an anti-semite. I think it's more the fact that he deals with Israel differently than past presidents. The U.S. has been a staunch supporter of Israel for as long as I can remember, much in disregard to other middle eastern countries. Personally, I've never understood our (the U.S.) need to coddle and carry Israel. I'm sure there are several reasons unknown to us citizens that will probably never be known but I'm glad to see him broadening our communicative efforts with other countries in the region. Some see Israel as a nation that will fall without our support. Others believe it should fall. I'm sure the historical relevance of Jerusalem plays a very large part in it all but don't find it personally important. As far as U.S. middle eastern policy goes, nearly all leaders have or were considered heads of terrorist states. Have you forgotten Saddam Huessein? How about the Shah of Iran? Our dealings with most countries of the middle east were either about oil, preserving Israel or expanding our interests. As far as Netanyahu goes, he made some comments that were considered disrespectful to U.S. interests, hence Obama's snub. Obama has made it clear that he's not going to carry Israel as past president's have and Netanyahu's comments were a direct reaction to that. Just my personal observations. It's going to be interesting to see how this whole thing plays out that's for sure.
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
26 Mar 10
You are ignoring that the Palestinians and all Arabs are also Semites. Now if you asked is Obama anti-Jewish, and would answer no, just more even handed than most other US President.
As to the treatment of Netanyahu I think Obama was wrong for not taking a photo with Netanyahu but not a sign that he is anti-Jewish. It is possible that Obama opposes Netanyahu being President of Israel.
@Netsbridge (3253)
• United States
26 Mar 10
I think the president may after all know the truth about dynasty Israel! And as per bad presidential treatment: I think I remember that we badly treated Mourmar Ghadafi!
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
26 Mar 10
No, I've seen no indication that Obama is an anti-semite. Maybe Netanyahu's treatment was payback for the announcement that was made while Joe Biden was over there which only served to stir controversy.
