Posted on 01/24/2008 11:01:21 AM PST by Nachum
It's a hard thing to pin down, Barack Obama's Jewish problem. But in the halls of the AIPAC Policy Conference yesterday, there was no denying that the members of the pro-Israel group -- largely Democrats, though they tilt right -- feel a real, if kind of inchoate, skepticism about the Illinois senator.
Now, an Iowa Democrat and AIPAC member, David Adelman, has written Obama a letter asking for clarification of Obama's remark to the Des Moines register that "nobody is suffering more than the Palestinian people," a statement Adelman writes he found "deeply troubling."
Adelman, a Des Moines lawyer, said he had helped Mark Warner briefly, but is currently undecided among the 2008 contenders.
But his letter brings to the surface a sentiment that's been circulating largely on private email lists and in chatter about a posting on the pro-Palestinian blog Electronic Intifada, which claimed (with little evidence) that Obama was once on the Palestinian side. Several AIPAC attendees told me that while Obama is "saying the right things," they don't think his heart is in it. (A high bar, perhaps.) The sentiment is nowhere near universal in the pro-Israel, or Jewish, communities, but concern is pretty widespread.
Still, Obama has no shortage of prominent Jewish supporters, and AIPAC's leadership has nothing but praise for the Illinois Senator.
"He has a strong record of support from his time in the Senate on issues of importance to the pro-Israel community," said AIPAC spokesman Josh Block, who praised Obama's "well-received" Chicago speech on the subject.
Adelman's full letter is after the jump.
UPDATE: I've been deleting anti-Semitic, and the stray anti-Muslim, comment as I see them. Please don't do that. And if you see one, please do click the "abusive" button.
Dear Senator Obama,
I am writing to express my concern with your comments in yesterday’s Des Moines Register (Up-close Obama urges compassion in Mideast; He backs loosening restrictions on Palestinian aid).
As an Iowan, democratic precinct caucus attendee, and leader in Iowa’s Jewish community, I am greatly concerned about the situation in the Mideast and your views on this matter.
I find your statement in yesterday's Des Moines Register that "nobody is suffering more than the Palestinian people,” deeply troubling. I would greatly appreciate a response clarifying your statements.
The Palestinian people democratically elected their leadership, part in which, Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. It fails to recognize the right of Israel to exist and encourages terrorist attacks against innocent Israeli Jews, Christians and Arabs.
Again, I respectfully ask for clarification on what you believe needs to be done to bring peace to this region of the world.
“nobody is suffering more than the Palestinian people,”
What about American blacks, illegal immigrants, women, etc., etc. How do liberals get away with these wild, and usually contradictory statements? How can they suck up to one minority group with these all encompassing remarks without alienating the others? A Republican would be called on this obvious duplicity in a heart beat!!
I had a discussion with a guy in an airport bar yesterday -— looking at the news where the arab blew up the border wall to Eqypt.
He was saying “can’t believe the Isralies, barracading them in; had to blow up the wall, etc.”
I just asked him, “Why do you think EGYPT built a wall between themselves and this group of arabs? Why should Israelis not have similar protection, especially given that they bomb and attack Isralies daily?”
I changed his mind (actually he changed his own), and de-programed himself of years of MSM brainwashing.
One down.
“nobody is suffering more than the Palestinian people,”
not enough since they support terror. No, don’t give me this “they are suffering from their leaders.” They voted for Hamas and must reap what they sow.
Nice.
W e l l did you discuss our own ‘border’ issues? We are NOT exactly in the position to be giving advise in this particular area.
No, although I am deeply concerned about our own border, I don’t try to turn every discussion or thread to illegal immigration.
“One down.”
6,899,000,000 to go. Keep up the good work.
Journey of 1,000 miles begins with ... ;-)
NOT the point of my response to you.....turn every discussion or thread to illegal immigration..... IT IS what IS...
Your own response to me tells me you have interesting priorities.... maybe the rest of the peoples of the world we continuallly pay for friendships get a bit concerned we are about to get tapppppped OUT.
If the Israelis have the right to question the Palestinians' right to the land, which is exactly what the Israelis have done by moving to the region and forming an experimental state, then the Palestinians certainly have the right to question a Jewish state. As an American, I wouldn't really care because it would be just another war somewhere else. But my government (Obama included!) has been hijacked by the immoral/illegal side. If Israel is pushed into the sea, I could care less, because they deserve a good beating. The only worry I would have is that the U.S. would almost certainly get the refugees.ML/NJPosted By: Todd
ML/NJ
I believe the Israelis built the wall when they had control of Gaza.
ML/NJ
No idea who built them, but they are maintained and guarded by Egyptians as of six months ago.
Yeah, and it’s very telling that NOBODY said jack about the Egyptian wall until it came down.
Well, in the way you told your story you attribute the building of the wall to Egypt. As for why the Egyptians maintained the wall. I would guess that the Egyptians probably wish the Gazans were someone else's problem so the wall would serve Egyptian interests, but they probably also had some formal agreement with Israel to maintain it.
ML/NJ
The Muslim world WANTS the Palestinians to live in squalor, as a propaganda tool against Israel. Otherwise, why couldn’t they be permitted to emigrate to, and become permanent citizens of, some other Muslim country? Why are they “refugees” after decades?
Obama is tanking in Florida, because his support is strictly limited to blacks. He has made no inroads among Jews or the Central Florida (read: Puerto Rican) hispanic voters, which he would need to take the primary.
I wouldn't be so sure. He has a reasonably supportive editorial in the Jewish News that I received in the mail today.
ML/NJ
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