Among American Jews in general but among South Florida’s Jewish population in particular,there is widely divided opinion on the question of whether or not President Obama is a friendto Israel.
While centuries old Jew-hating peoples concentrated mostly in Central Europe, invariablyattribute a solidarity mindset to Jews worldwide, that is a fallacy and is far from the truth.When it comes to the question at hand, we find there are two distinct and widely separatedviewpoints regarding the relationship between this President and Israel. Israel and America’sJewish population are often considered as one entity. Of course, that is always proven to be amistaken idea.
One segment of the American Jewish population considers their own fate and that of Israelto be integral to each other and morally binding, ‘til death do us part’. To members of thispersuasion, Israel and its issues are at the top of their prioritized concerns.
The other segment considers themselves somewhat more remotely-related to Israel exceptfor the common religion and cultural heritage they share. Those who are more comfortablein the company of this second group willingly acknowledge their rich cultural association withthe Jews in Israel . And for the most part, they are quick to tout their love of the land of Israel.The difference is, they subscribe to a more globalistic view in which for them, Middle Eastpolitics take on the dominant role. The latter is the ‘progressive’ position of the group callingthemselves, “J Street”.
No one disputes the right of an American Jew to think as he or she will regarding the State ofIsrael. Everyone is free to express their own feelings about Israel’s unique relationship to theUnited States . Or, their views about that tiny nation’s precarious position in the deadly chessgame being played out daily in the Middle East.
After choosing sides and staking out one’s comfort zone, it is inevitable that the final judgmentregarding Obama’s true feelings about Israel boils down to – ‘Is Obama a friend to Israel, ornot?’ Given his unspeakable treatment of PM Netanyahu and his track record of pinchingoff military and diplomatic support at every opportunity over the past four years, plus, hissnide remarks to foreign officials when he thinks he is out of earshot - the answer is aresounding ‘NO’. Obama is not a friend to Israel. Does anyone seriously think that wouldchange with a green light to four more years? Not me. I don’t think so.
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