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US ambassador to Israel sheds light on Obama visit
Atilla Somfalvi
Published: 06.02.13, 11:02
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23 Talkbacks for this article
1. President Obama.
Son Of Cyrus   (02.06.13)
Dear Mr Obama, The "Promised Land" has Jerusalem as its undivided eternal capital. Please remember that and make sure you move all the United States Embassy staff over there as a first step to your realization of the this fact. Otherwise you will not be welcome. Get into your head & all the lefties who support you that the "Promised Land" is not pre 1967 or 1948 Borders. These are suicide armistice lines not borders.
2. Ya, sure, and let's have a grand old ticker tape parade
Yosi ,   Gilo-Jerusalem   (02.06.13)
for Obamba. I am absolutely sure that we will all ignore the hatred, lies and betrayal that he has done to Israel. Yup, yes siree bobi, les all have a grand olde party fo Mr presii-dent!! Yeehaa!!
3. @#2
lightharry ,   New York   (02.06.13)
Perhaps it would be better for him to forget this visit and concentrate on true friends.
4. And that's supposed to be good news?
Giora Me'ir ,   USA   (02.06.13)
It's U.S. enabling of Israel's illegal behavior in the west bank that't the biggest obstacle to resolving the I/P conflict. Israeli's behavior--the colonization and ethnic cleansing--will not change until Israel no longer believes it has the U.S. in its back pocket.
5. Am I only one that wants to vomit from Obama !?
Barbara ,   Haifa Israel   (02.06.13)
6. Damn if he does, damn if he doesn't..
Sheik Rattle & Roll ,   USA   (02.06.13)
Obama can never win with BIBI. It is obvious he doesn't like Americans and better yet a Black American president. Obama can increase all the aid and pay for every weapon system in Israel and block every UN action and even visit once a month, however he will never be accepted because of his skin color and because he is not JEWISH. Now that's the facts and if anybody disagrees they are delusional.
7. Just don't tell Israel what its "best interests" are
Raymond in DC ,   Washington, USA   (02.06.13)
The story is told of a senior US official in Jerusalem trying to persuade his Israeli counterpart of a certain course of action it should be following. The Israeli answered that if they followed said course, it was Israel that would have to live with the consequences if he was wrong, while he would go back to his home in Chevy Chase - a nice suburb just outside Washington. That's the problem with Obama suggesting to Jeffrey Goldberg, the journalist, that he knows better than Israel what's in its best interests. If Obama comes to Israel and hectors Israel to follow his prescribed course, it could further damage, rather than heal, relations with the US. Israeli leaders make their decisions knowing that *they* will live with the consequences. Obama, when he's out of office, will probably be living in Hawaii.
8. #5. Obama works full time to destroy America.
Chaim ,   Israel   (02.06.13)
Obama works full time to destroy America and part time to endanger Israel. Barbara, you are far from the only one sickened by Obama; likely the worst President in American history.
9. #5 & #8
MAP ,   Bnei Brak   (02.06.13)
Well said. Worst ever American president for Americans, us and the whole of the free world. Pretty good US president for the likes of Iran, Egypt, Saudi and all those other great democracies. Where's the sick bag.
10. Pure politricks
Harry Wright ,   UK   (02.06.13)
The cat is out of the bag already. Obama is going to Israel to try to persuade / pressure Netanyahu for a "deal" with the PA that will compromise Israel's security. He will demand that Netanyahu GAMBLE away Israel's security by betting on Pals good intentions. Well, the US is big enough and far away enough from the hotbed to devote a whole city to gambling but for Israel, it is a matter of survival. It cannot play the game of chance no matter how hard Obama pushes, especially with the proven track record of those insincere and violent Pals. What Obama should be doing is putting the pressure on Abdullah and reminding him that Jordan is the Pals state.
11. "Consultation – not demands or laying down conditions"
Alan ,   SA   (02.06.13)
The US Ambassador Shapiro says this is purpose of Hussein O's Peasach Trip to Israel... Is this White House Takiya? I dont believe it
12. LIghtharry # 3
Eaglebeak ,   Left Coast, USA   (02.06.13)
Obama tends to throw his friends under the bus. Israel is better off without him.
13. It's finally sunk into Obama's skull
Ian ,   Newcastle upon Tyne   (02.06.13)
Me thinks that the people of Israel and the USA already know the deep connection.They don't need Obama to tell them. Obama seems to have had a blinding revelation and he's acting like he's just invented the wheel. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!
14. obama' visit to Israel--comment #13
George Weiss ,   Teaneck, USA   (02.06.13)
Ian, you poor dupe. You just don't get it. Obama wants to make sure Bibi does not form a right wing government that will block any concessions (another building freeze). Obama is no friend to israel or to the US, for that matter. Look at the poor excuse he chose to put in charge of the Pentagon. The guy contradicts himself and can not explain any of his own statements.
15. why?
oded   (02.06.13)
the hypocracy of b.o is mind buggling- first you dis bibbi, ridicule israel and israelis, and now you are oue bff? no thanks stay home and don't pollute our air!
16. to 6
Jennie ,   Israel/US   (02.06.13)
To call you delusional, would be a compiment ...You can't write about your wishful thinking and label people, who read facts and post factual truth, delusional...But we understand: it is your hate, that keeps you going... The truth is, that if there is one country in the ME and Africa, that does not discriminate people by the color of their skin or religion, it is Israel...The sign of your delusion is obvious even in your signature...
17. no Barbara you are not
Ilana   (02.06.13)
I also want to barf!!!
18. a visit from the traitor in chief will only bring death
to more jews   (02.06.13)
he will press for concessions to the PLO terrorists and their hamas bretheren. He has been funding and arming the muslim brotherhood in egypt, and the al qaeda in syria. I am starting to believe more everyday that he really is a closet muslim like people have been claiming for years. Why else would he appoint muslim brotherhood in the state dept. ?
19. there are too many emotional people posting
Cipora Julianna Kohn ,   Z   (02.06.13)
obama is visiting the entire middle east, and his purpose is larger than the bickerings of the arab palestinians. the us and regional allies need to solve the issue of iran's nuclear weapons program and the unsecured syrian chemical weapons. no doubt, obama will try to persuade israel and the non-state actor of arab palestinians to move totward peace, but he most likely knows that there is very little chance of that happening.
20. @ 6
Sheik rattle & roll ,   USA   (02.06.13)
Jennie are you joking? Are you serious? I am stunned by your comment. I love all people and if I would meet a Martian tomorrow and if he didn't have any hostile intent, I would love him too. What I am saying is that Israel is a Jewish country that has very little tolerance for outsiders and lately hostility towards Americans there leaders etc has been disgusting considering how much diplomatic cover we give to the State of Israel. I personally believe it is because Obama is black and no matter how much money or UN protection we give Israel it won't matter because as far as Israeli's are concerned we don't do enough for them. .
21. Sheik # 20
Eaglebeak ,   Left Coast, USA   (02.06.13)
It's not a matter of color but more a matter of not respecting a world leader that bows to the king of Saudi Arabia. If Obama were say a Clarence Thomas he would deserve respect. Obama is closer to being a Reverand Wright than he is a Clarence Thomas or any other capable black person. Obama is a nothing but an elitist stuffed shirt.
22. #19. I disagree.
Harry Wright ,   UK   (02.06.13)
All Obama has done so far for the larger purpose (as you term it) has been to institute some sanctions on Iran, knowing full well that those would NOT stop Iran's nuclear program. It is only Israel that is addressing the issues with any concrete, on-the-ground action, namely: Fordo in Iran; the weapons convoy and the chemical weapons research facility in Jamraya, Syria; Hezbollah's "stun gun" explosions. A deal between Israel and the Balestinians will be the real icing on Obama's cake. He wants that in the history books, like how Clinton has the Oslo Accord. Obama does not care about what happens in or to Israel afterwards. He'll have enough material to write in his book / memoirs after his term ends.
23. life
edmund ,   siminole fla   (08.04.14)
you are bb trying save lives peaceably build a tent city outside gaza with food & medical evacauate gasa tell them if you want no more destruction[eave and we will filter you back in how more fair can we be we abosuitly havt to make sure all tunnels are filled with cememt or destrould thenb will let you backi in with no more biuldings lost and the city is clean and terrist is cault at filiter
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