Obama Throws Israel Under the Bus

[deacon blues]

Our president gave an important speech on US policy in the Middle East. Along with supporting the so-called "Arab Spring" and democracy in those nations, BO called for Israel to pull back to pre-1967 borders.

Since taking office our president has tampered with US-Israeli policy taking it to an alarming level. The present day realities and security threats to Israel make such a demand, as Benjamin Netanyahu stated after the speech, "indefensable". The Golan Heights bordering Syria pose a huge problem for Israel if they should relinquish that territory to their enemy to the north. Syria has yet to sign a peace treaty with Israel and they remain closely tied to Iran and terrorist organizations. East Jerusalem would have to be given to the Palestinians, an issue that Israel has refused to discuss. When Arabs controlled EJ before 1967, Christians and Jews were not allowed access to visit holy sites there. Since Isreal's victory in the Six-Day War in 1967 and reunification of Jerusalem, every religion has had free and open access to their holy placees. Israel made Jerusalem their "eternal capital" and has said they will never again allow Jerusalem to be divided.

What concession do the Palestinians have to make? Very little as usual. Yet they have shown again and again no desire for real change. They can't even bring themselves to recognize Israel's right to exist, a much easier demand to meet than the demands placed on Israel. Ultimately anyone with any sense knows that what the Palestinians and many Arabs want is the complete destruction of Israel. They truly do not want to peacefully coexist.

Its a sad day in America when we take a stand with Israel that if they should comply would place them in a dangerous position with their neighboring enemies.

This is also risky for Obama. There are many American Jews who are Democrats. He could lose valuable financial support in the upcoming 2012 elections. Jews are also a key voting bloc in both New York State and Florida, states which carry significant numbers in the electoral college. No Democratic candidate has won the presidency in modern political without carrying New York. Florida has been very influential in recent presidential elections.

With the window closing on his first term, BO evidently feels the need to achieve a major foreign policy initiative. His penchant for ideology is once again manifesting itself. The long-held perception by liberals that Israel is the bad guy in the Middle East and that the Palestinians are the victims bleeds through here and shows how misguided leftists are.

I hope Israel decides to hedge their bets and wait for a more friendly administration to come along in 2012 to help them navigate the waters of peaceful yet secure coexistence with their neighbors.