Opinion
Obama’s gift to Israel
Sever Plocker
Published: 12.06.08, 17:11
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1. Uri Avnery writes a pertinent commentary on counterpunch.org
Chanalau, Tova ,   London, UK   (06.12.08)
Worthwhile checking that out; Avnery finds Obama's speech pretty inexplicable. I personally was never under any illusions. It will probably take the usual 7 years before an elected Obama shows any interest in the Palestinians, in the unlikely event that there are any left by that time.
2. Agreed. Great anti-left weapon.
Baruch ,   Boston, USA   (06.12.08)
I don't trust Obama about anything he said, but I'm sure that leftists all over the world are now wondering why they think he's such a great hero.
3. Shallow, simplistic, one-sided
(06.12.08)
In other words: tailored for AIPAC. He's more complex in real life.
4. I understand you but
Rick ,   New York   (06.12.08)
the leaders of the Extreme Left (the home of Obama) know well, as we on the right know, that Obama is a pathalogical supper fake individual. It is true that he is a Marxist-Stalinist, as all his closest friends. BUT the leaders of these people like money and good life more than anything else including grandfather Stalin. So they understand Obama very well. Remember what they said about Bill Clinton," if he rapes a girl in the Time Square we would still support him because he was the Future".
5. What!!
Fred Feyertag ,   Milwaukee, USA   (06.12.08)
You didn't mention that he reversed himself 48 hours later. He still thinks that Israel is the sore that is causing turmoil in the Middle East. It just goes to show you that the press is a big cause of the West's problem
6. Obama shows true colors with his flip-flop on Jlem
Malka   (06.12.08)
The day after his "moving" speech at AIPAC, Obama flip-flopped on Jerusalem. Organizations who quickly published praise of the speech were forced to print retractions the next day. I do not understand why so many who attended the AIPAC speech felt surprised and betrayed by Obama's dishonesty and backstabbing. They are political activists. Were they not aware that Obama has a position on Israel and Jerusalem that is consistent with the Jimmy Carter-types? Did they think Obama had an overnight change of heart on Israel? That he would throw his Muslim family and friends' interests under the bus? Shortly before the AIPAC meeting Obama's advisor said, "Jerusalem must be included in peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority" http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/982964.html http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0608/Backtracking_on_Jerusalem.html
7. THE NEXT DAY, HIS REP. QUALIFIED IT
petra ,   USA   (06.12.08)
AND SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH JERUSALEM WAS TO REMAIN UNDIVIDED, THE PALS WOULD BE INCLUDED W/ A SEPERATE STATE W/IN ISRAEL. SO. WHICH IS IT? TRUTH OR FICTION? HE FLOPS LIKE A FISH OUT OF WATER.
8. The Hebrew ELS Bible codes at www.biblecodedigest.com
Rivkah   (06.12.08)
say Obama is a SWINDLER. He has not even shown his birth certificate to prove he was born in Honolulu as he claims. It is likely he was born in Kenya and since his American mother did not spend five of the ten years following her 16th birthday in America, Obama is not a legal US citizen and should not even be a US Senator. He should be deported to Kenya for fraud. Anyone who thinks the FBI is trustworthy and free from rogue elements that falsify documentation and investigations should listern to former Los Angeles FBI Chief Ted Gunderson's lectures available from the Prophecy Club of Topeka, Kansas.
9. Sever
Ofer ,   Israel   (06.12.08)
Sever--Your columns about economics were very good. Once you started writing about other subjects I find that you have nothing original to contribute. Anyone who believes a word of Obama's speech shows that he has no understanding of the American political system. All candidates make the same speech in front of AIPAC. Some mean it and some don't. Look at Obama's advisors and then tell me if you think he will be good for Israel. Go back to economics.
10. #1, There is no 'Uri Avnery'. It's Helmut Ostermann
Jake   (06.12.08)
and always will be
11. obama"s" gift to Israel
Art Schwartz ,   IRVINE, CA.   (06.12.08)
The most salient point of his speech was recanted the next day. There cannot be a divided Jerusalem. The city must remain whole, the passion for this truth must remain everlasting, Obama is today what he has been for the last 20 years. His wife, his spiritual leader and his closest friends are proof enough even for most niave . This man is a threat to Israel and no Jew should vote for him.
12. More rubbish from Mr. Plonker & the insane talkbackers
David ,   Los Angeles   (06.12.08)
13. Go-Bama!
(06.12.08)
Whatever, he is too liberal and probably won't be able to handle the downturn very well.
14. He'll say anything for a vote.
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (06.12.08)
How this speech translates into concrete action in our interests is quite another thing. Those that use the same language as Obama had no hesitation in sliding a knife into our back, all the while praising Israel & talking about our security. Never be fooled by rhetoric. What counts are the man's actions, his advisers, his supporters, his "spiritual" mentors, & his financial backers. We have heard enough of the "Peace" rhetoric which has placed us in the worst strategic position we have ever been in. The peace treaty with Egypt was supposed to usher in a new era. It was supposed to improve our security. Did it really? Oslo was meant to improve our security. I don't even have to ask the rhetorical question on that one. It was an unmitigated disaster. The Gaza disengagement was going to bring us improved security. I write this as morters & missiles rain down on Gaza area communities. There are still fools who tell us peace with Syria will bring us security if only we cede the Golan. And Obama? He thinks it's OK to sit down with Ahmadinejad & discuss things over tea & biscuits. Obama can fool a bunch of naive & gullible wishful thinkers, but it won't do much to stop Iran. All the flowery rhetoric in the world cannot disguise the world-view of Mr Obama. He will be an appeaser like his political twin, Jimmy Carter. Better an enemy who speaks openly of his bad intentions than a supposed "friend" who hides bad intentions behind pretty words.
15. # 1 Oh no?
(06.12.08)
You were always thrilled about Obama's candidacy because it meant the end of Israeli influence in America politics. Now you claim to have never been disllusioned all because of one speech and the reaction of one ex-pornographer (avnery). You're all emotion and no intellect.
16. Using his middle name
Joel ,   Boston, US   (06.12.08)
Sever, like many on the right, throw in Obama's middle name as part of scare tactic and misrepresentation of his background. Lack of journalistic integrity
17. Helmut Osterman
The Watcher   (06.12.08)
born September 10, 1923 in Beckum, Germany http://zope.gush-shalom.org/index_en.html Writings: Avnery, Uri (1968): Israel Without Zionists: A Plea for Peace in the Middle East, Avnery, Uri (1986): My Friend, the Enemy, In 2006, settler activist Baruch Marzel called on the Israeli military to carry out "a targeted killing" against Avnery whilst being interviewed on Channel 10 Avnery is a contributor to the news and opinion sites CounterPunch, Information Clearing House and LewRockwell.com.
18. obama's so-called gift to israel
elliot ,   point roberts,usa   (06.12.08)
...leftists so hate america that they have to thank another leftist--who has done nothing-for a speech he never would have given except president george w bush raised the bar for the dems to retain the pro-israel vote.The left opposes a strong america let alone a strong israel--their talk is the cheapest!
19. Sarcasm?
Robert ,   New Jersey, USA   (06.12.08)
Am I the only one who reads this as tongue-in-cheek?
20. carter
avrom ,   bet shemesh   (06.12.08)
Carter was a great friend of Israel helped us make peace with our Egyptian cousins and now everyone knows that Cartewr is a bigoted anti semite Obama is another Carter I forgot one thing Carter during his predintial campaign said he would never tell a lie
21. #10 Half of Israel has changed names. So what?
David ,   Los Angeles   (06.12.08)
Are you really that ignorant?
22. # 16 Joel that's his name numbnuts!
petra ,   usa   (06.12.08)
23. anything to get elected
josef ,   new york   (06.13.08)
beware of what Obama says. this is an election and he will say anything to win the election. it is much more important to look at his past policy, writtings, friends and associates. that tells the true story and explains why is is very bad for israel. there is no comparison between Obama and McCain when it comes to foreign policy and specifically israel.
24. #19 Yes this is sarcasm
David ,   Montreal, Canada   (06.13.08)
25. #17 Much ado about nothing
Jake   (06.13.08)
You managed to have avoided listing even one of the many treasonous acts Helmut Osterman made against Israel, like meeting with the enemy in time of war, yet you chose to list the rantings of a fringe activist. That's what I call cheap poor quality bias.
26. B. H. Obama...
Qassem al-Qassem ,   Paradise   (06.13.08)
Is our man in Washington.It will be the fulfillment of an ancient Quran prophesy: "Islam will rule over the world". .. Mahmoud Ahmadeniyad, Bashar al-Assad, Ismail Haniyeh, Osama Bin-Lade, Mahmoud Abbas, Hugo Chavez....& hundreds more signs..
27. yes!! OBAMA of TROY can be USA next President.
dave of Greece ,   Greece   (06.13.08)
and from his horse gift will get USA a lot of "TOLD YOU THAT !!!
28. Obama
Liora ,   Israel   (06.13.08)
This is not surprising. Most politicians will say what their audience wants to hear. Anything to get a vote.
29. Osterman is another German Jew
Dror Wistenmajerfuhr ,   Great Prussia.   (06.14.08)
luminary as were Marx (Karl, not Groucho), Rosa Luxemburgo and anothers ideologist of scientific socialism. His writings in the HaOlam Haze Wissenchaft und grundshau (equivalent to Das Kapital) give us abstraction like A new approach to peace in middle east: the Porno Anti-zionism. Looking inside arab women and other metaphysical issues outlawed by zionist because show a crude reality of palestinian 'exploitation' So, Mr. reassess your opinion about him.
30. New leadership and vs. old fashion way
Daniel ,   Brazil   (06.14.08)
Viva Obama! It´s time to shift US standard of politics and way of looking the world. By otherside, McCain is a older photo of Bush´s ideology and a 60´s years way to assess the world.
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