Rob Eshman

May 20, 2011

A little AIPAC advice for Obama

By Rob Eshman

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I have some advice for President Barack Obama, who is going to be walking into the lion’s den when he speaks before the 10,000 AIPAC delegates at their national conference this Sunday.

Here’s my advice.  Don’t backpedal.  Look the delegates in their 20,000 eyes and say, “Friends, it’s not about 1967, it’s about 2067.”

Why is this so important? Because all Obama did in his policy speech yesterday was mention three little words.  Three little words. And suddenly he is facing the wrath of an organized, pro-Israel community that sees in those three little words all forms of betrayal, subjugation…. Auschwitz.

What are the three words? Nineteen. Sixty. Seven.

“The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps,” the president said in his Middle East speech at the State Department on May 19, “so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states.”

Other presidents have made clear that a negotiated settlement between Israel and the Palestinian would be based on mutually agreed upon borders.  There has never been a shred of doubt that the starting point for negotiations would be the 1967 borders. What Obama did was acknowledge a line the Israelis have spent four decades and billions of dollars trying to erase.

“…it is not news that the eventual borders of a Palestinian state would be based on land swaps from the 1967 dividing line,” Glenn Kess wrote in the Washington Post. “But it makes a difference when the president of the United States says it, particularly in a carefully staged speech at the State Department.  This then is not an off-the-cuff remark, but a carefully considered statement of U.S. policy.”

In other words, the man who just gave orders to shoot Osama in the eye is no longer interested in pussyfooting around the issue. In his meeting this morning with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Obama reiterated his attempt at reality therapy.  According to The New York Times:

“Mr. Obama, for his part, did not back away from his proposal the day before. But he reassured Mr. Netanyahu that Israel’s security would remain paramount in any American push to resolve the conflict, and he said the Palestinians would face tough choices over the role of Hamas, which Mr. Netanyahu called ‘the Palestinian version of Al Qaeda.’”

By sticking to his rhetorical guns, Obama will outrage many Jewish groups.  The far right Zionist Organization of America is planning a rally against Obama at the White House.  One group called the President’s formulation a return to “Auschwitz borders.”

(To be fair, the most antagonistic responses have come from groups that have always criticized Obama.  Nothing new there. As for the ZOA, in 2003 they also held a rally against George W. Bush for inviting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the White House.)

More mainstream pro-Israel groups, like AIPAC, will side naturally with Netanyahu, in his condemnation of the 1967 remark.

But amidst all the brouhaha, two important facts should be noted:

1) Obama didn’t say he’d convene negotiations, invite the sides to Camp David, or send a special envoy.  In other words, his speech, while directly fingering the key issues, was an indirect way of saying, ‘I’m not getting involved right now.’  With Hamas ascendant, the Middle East in turmoil and his own domestic election on the horizon, there is no reason for the president to step in now.  As The Journal’s reporter Jonah Lowenfeld pointed out, this is like Obama’s health care strategy: Here are the issues, you guys work it out, call me when you’re ready.

2) We can now spend tons of time and energy and outrage arguing about 1967, but what matters is what kind of country Israel will be in five decades.  Without a settlement,  Israel will be a majority Palestinian country. Without a settlement, Israel’s security, legitimacy and moral standing will erode, then vanish.  Without a settlement, Israel’s economy will stall.  Without a settlement, Israel will only have short-term security.

This is not the opinion of the peace camp.  This is a fact every Israeli prime minister from Yitzhak Rabin through Ariel Sharon to Ehud Olmert has acknowledged.  It’s what a group of 40 former Israeli security experts, Mossad chiefs and generals tried to get Netanyahu to accept earlier this year.

1967 was a watershed year for Israel, the Middle East, America and the world.  In redefining a relatively small border, The Six Day War realigned the world. But what 1967 didn’t do was freeze history forever.

Obama gets this. Time is not on Israel’s side.  What he needs to help Israel’s friends do is stop yelling about Israel’s borders five decades ago, and worry about what Israel’s borders will look like five decades from now. 

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Seems as though Hillary’s backers had the same reservations about Obama. http://wwwtwosetsofbooks.blogspot.com/2011/04/exclusive-hillary-backers-obama-muslim.html
As it turns out, Hillary is worse.
Wake up Jewish Democrats

Comment by patti on 5/20/11 at 2:08 pm

Eshman, another liberal tush kisser.

Comment by Honey Bee on 5/20/11 at 2:15 pm

Absolutely on target! Netanyahu is trying to keep his job, which seems more important to him than Israel’s long term survival…he won’t be around to see Israel’s ‘nakba’. It’s time for Israel to put a serious offer on the table. Obama didn’t suggest one, he merely said ‘the old borders, adjusted to today’s reality’. It’s not for him to define that in detail. A serious response from the Palestinians will need ending Hamas as we know it, so they have as big a problem as Netanyahu does. But Netanyahu needs to win elections and Hamas doesn’t, so he panders to his own ‘hamasniks’. Obama is Israel’s best friend right now.

Comment by K’naker on 5/20/11 at 3:01 pm

K,naker,i have an used car I wold love to sell.  Your easily sweet talked.

Comment by HONEY BEE on 5/20/11 at 3:07 pm

This is why i stopped paying anything for this stupid rag!  Eschman is little more than a lacky to the Liberal Left Demo party.  He tows the party line.  He bows to BHO and Hillary and loyally says whatever he is told to say.  This Capo mentality is not new but it still is sad!  I hope that AIPAC members tell BHO EXACTLY how the majority of the Jews and American and Israels feel: He is a sell out to the Muslim desires and a traitor to te American law and traditions.  Please, G-d, before he destroys Israel and the Free World, may 2012 bring us a new administration!!!

Comment by Roberta on 5/20/11 at 3:14 pm

I don’t know what Israel’s borders will be in 2067, if Israel defies Barack Obama.  But I truly believe that if Israel follows Obama, in 2067 those borders will be Palestine.

Comment by John H. in Glendale on 5/20/11 at 3:15 pm

Why the hell does Israel have to listen to anybody’s advice about her internal policies?  Would the U.S. take advice from Israel on dealing with the millions of illegals here?  Why don’t we go back to our 1800s borders and give Texas, California and New Mexico entirely to the illegals! 
I hope Obama is booed for the entirety of his AIPAC address.  This is how you treat an ally????

Comment by Ophira on 5/20/11 at 4:07 pm

I simply hope that all those Jewish Supporters of Hussein Obama will wake up and realize who he really supports.

Comment by Joseph Judah on 5/20/11 at 4:09 pm

I cannot believe the tone of most these comments. Whether or not you agree with Eshman, surely, we as a Jews we can engage in fair-minded, reasonable debate with each other over how to best help Israel thrive for decades and centuries to come. What is gained by casually interjecting loaded terms such as capo and by making ridiculous claims that Obama is a traitor to the US? We are better than this. Let us remember the our Jewish tradition’s concern for civility and not merely imitate the poisonous discourse of secular American society.

Comment by David on 5/20/11 at 4:28 pm

PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS BETRAYED THOSE WHO VOTE FOR HIM IN 2008.  HE THEN PLEDGED A UNITED JERUSALEM FOR EVER. NOW HE SAYS TO GIVE UP THE GOLAN HEIGHTS EAST JERUSALEM JUDEA AND SAMARIA. BIBI SHOULD NOT YIELD TO THIS JUDAS.

GERALD SCHWARTZ, FOR 11 YEARS PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN ZIONIST MOVEMENT IN FLORIDA

Comment by gerald schwartz on 5/20/11 at 4:48 pm

This is history repeating itself in slow motion: In 1948, we (Jews) argued about whether we should accept the UN Partition. Ben Gurion beat out the Begin-ites and because he did, we just celebrated Israel’s Independence Day. Well, guess what? It’s 1948 again. We can accept partition or not have a Jewish state. I know it, you know it, Obama knows it and deep in his heart I think Bibi knows it too. Shame that so many of us are afraid to say now what Ben Gurion had the guts to say then. Good for you, Mr. Eshman, for sticking to your guns and encouraging President Obama to do the same.

Comment by Joel Silberman on 5/20/11 at 4:51 pm

You don’t get it Rob or you refuse to admit it.  The US President shouldn’t dictate to Israel to give up a key issue for negotiations.  If “everyone” knows borders will be based on those lines, so too does everyone know the right of return must be dropped.  Why did Obama say Jerusalem & right of return are to be discussed, but not the border starting point?!  He claims this is US policy, but Congress didn’t vote on it.  His speech was weak on Hamas & didn’t insist the Palestinians return to direct negotiations without conditions.  He’s not strong.  Making the “decision” to kill Bin Laden wasn’t ballsy, it was the only choice anyone could have made.  I’m ashamed to be a Democrat.

Comment by Brian on 5/20/11 at 5:23 pm

USA has the only true friend in Israel in the middle east and this dude is trying to sell Israel out! This president sucks!!!

Comment by Roland on 5/20/11 at 6:35 pm

palestine: just another golden calf, in the ysralee camp. is it really worth the idolitry, to allow the idolitors to do what they want. when you already know, how HaShem G-D feels about that.

the initial un bribe to get you there, and then to piecemeal away the initial proposal. i say go back, to the initial boarders for the concentration camp, the united nations proposed for Ysrael. take what you can, and give nothing back. and eliminate the boarders of, palestine within the boarders HaShem gives to Ysrael.

Comment by jimmie c boswell on 5/20/11 at 7:09 pm

HaShem is TheOnly, friend i have. why should i give HIM up, for obama to never be my friend? obama and his buchenwald rules, in agreement with the enemy are not your friend.

oh remember how, the nazis. where going to give you, a new land to live in too. just to get you, in their concentration camps.

the names of the concentration camp salesmen, have been changed. in order to protect, the guilt of thier alleged innocence.

Comment by jimmie c boswell on 5/20/11 at 7:22 pm

do you really think, that any of the enemies. enemies in rebellion against HaShem, here in TheTorah. are your, friends. and truly care, for your health and welfare. who does obama support, HaShem G-D here in TheTorah? or the beast of baal hamolech, forever not here in TheTorah today?

Comment by jimmie c boswell on 5/20/11 at 7:30 pm

if HaShem G-D is not the best FRIEND i have, here in TheTorah today. then i have no friends, pretending never here in TheTorah today.

Comment by jimmie c boswell on 5/20/11 at 7:34 pm

President Obama’s endorsement that the Israel-Palestine boundary should be based on the 1967 line is nothing new.  Up until October of 2010, administration officials and representatives stated numerous times that it was the goal of the United States to get the parties to “agree to an outcome which ends the conflict and reconciles the Palestinian goal of an independent and viable state based on the ‘67 lines, with agreed swaps” It appears that Obama has done really nothing more than reassert what was United States policy since the beginning of his administration.

Comment by Michael Several on 5/20/11 at 7:37 pm

do you really think, this whole world rebeling against HaShem here and now in TheTorah. shall ever be given, with any real peace only commanded from G-D.

or are you deluded, that men in rebellion against G-D. can give you with, any dishonest honest peace. without any peace proposals, from HaShem G-D. i fear, we’re all out of not-luck luck.

for only peace proposals, made with HaShem G-D. shall be kept, only by HaShem G-D.

Comment by jimmie c boswell on 5/20/11 at 7:44 pm

Hogwash.  (And definitely not Kosher!)

Obama promised the Libyan and Syrian protesters safety and security too.  Look where that got them.

Jewish Journal, get a better writer (with a clue) before you spam me more stuff next time.

Thanks.

(Though I do agree that whatever Obama says doesn’t matter, since the Arab-Israeli conflict will long outlast Obama’s presidency.)

(Note also that the Palestinian “population bomb” theory, alleged by Rob Eshman above, has been demonstrated to be false.)

Comment by Hello, it's 2011 on 5/20/11 at 7:53 pm

We congratulate President Obama for stating the obvious—-borders must first be established before there can be any serious hope fpr peace. As he stated, the issues of Jerusalem and Right of Return can follow.

And we can’t expect all Palestinians to love Israel.  Moshe Dayan stated it most clearly when he said that you don’t make peace with your friends, you make peace with your enemies, and it doesn’t have to be a loving peace—a cold peace would do.  Witness the 30 plus years of a peaceful border with Egypt.  It requires the courage to negotiate, to understand compromise and to move forward with the belief that someday a solution will be reached.

Comment by Dick and Lois Gunther on 5/20/11 at 9:14 pm

We cannot go back to the pre-1967 borders of Israel.
All around today’s Israel, murderous newly forming Muslim settlements and countries are sprouting up daily, crying for Jewish blood. It is and always has been their dream to drive Israel “...into the sea.” With the backing of many unnamed countries that share their hate of us, we alleged “kuffars and infidels” are sitting dangerously. Israelis, Jews, Christians and all of mankind, for that matter, offend radical Muslims. In reality, this is not a war about Jews alone; this is a war about all who are not Muslims. Sooner or later, radical Islam says, “they accept Allah or die.” Sounds like the 1919 Nazi movement, huh?

Comment by Roberta Casper on 5/20/11 at 9:55 pm

Dick and Lois, you are drinking the Obama-kool-aid.  Why should Israel negotiate with anybody?  Israel won the war of 1967, and they don’t negotiate with the aggressor-losers.  Since when do nations have the right to meddle in internal disputes in other countries?  You have been groomed by the leftist media into thinking that Israel is your pawn and must act on the whims of whoever is in power in the U.S. You can play on your own chessboard in the in the comfort of your living room, as you rearrange the Middle East, with genocidal results.  (Israel with a 9 mile wide area is SUICIDE.  checkmate).

Comment by Ophira on 5/20/11 at 10:01 pm

NOW Obama wants us to return to the ‘67 borders???...does he even have any idea where Jerusalem was at that time???? ...like in Jordan???
I remember reading a story explaining the attitudes of Nixon and Reagan in regards to Israel/Jews and the arabs. If a problem cropped up Nixon automatically assumed the Jews were at fault ...with Reagan…he automatically assumed the arabs were the troublemakers.
We have begun to believe that barack obama just might be closer to Nixon than Reagan in regards to the Jews…and that just might swing our family of 6 Democratic voters to switch at the next election!!!!

Comment by Mickey Marcus on 5/20/11 at 10:38 pm

67 borders would encourage arabs to attack Israel from west bank and golan just like giving gaza and sinai to hamas. Isreals enemies don’t want peace, just land and to kill jews, American Jews too. Liberal US Jews sent money to Hitler, counseled corrberation, and remained silent. 70% will do so again. Mr. Eshman can help them board the trains with dignity.

Comment by mordechai on 5/20/11 at 10:46 pm

Thanks to Rob Eshman for stripping away the hysteria by recognizing that all President Obama did was to state clearly and unequivocally that Israel’s only security lies in a negotiated two state solution (which has long been the US position) and that 67 borders will be the beginning point, not the ending point of that negotiation. The histrionics only demonstrate how firmly entrenched the disastrous notion of the “greater Israel” remains in the hearts of many American Jews.

Comment by Cantor Steven Puzarne on 5/20/11 at 11:06 pm

If Rob Eshman has become the Criswell of opinion writing editors who now “knows” what’s going to occur in 2067 a mere 56 years from now,  perhaps he might gaze into his crystal ball and give me the winner of tomorrows Preakness Stakes. Not too much of a stretch for a man of his pedantic prognosticative power. After reading Eshman’s essay find myself humming “Fugue to Tinhorns” Somewhere Frank Loesser must be smiling.
Common Rob,  you’ve got the horse right here! Aunty Mame

Comment by Mr. Againster on 5/21/11 at 12:19 am

Does anyone see a map showing Israel coming from the Palestinians who have just partner with known terrorists ? How dare Obama suggest anything to Israel while the P.A. have joined with terrorists to destroy Israel. Who is there to negotiate with. This is The Emperors New Clothes. No one wants to acknowledge the obvious. THERE IS NO PEACE PARTNER FOR ISRAEL.

Comment by Lily Steiner on 5/21/11 at 1:59 am

“In the thought of the complacent there is contempt for calamity;it is ready for those whose foot slips” (איוב)

Comment by Gershom on 5/21/11 at 3:15 am

The article is 100 percent correct.
Mordecai
spbooks@aol.com

Comment by Mordecai Schreiber on 5/21/11 at 5:08 am

Hoping Frank Loesser will forgive me; the song is titled “Fugue for Tinhorns” from his magnificent musical “Guys and Dolls”. Hey Criswell Eshman,  you got the horse right here?  Aunty Mame

Comment by Mr. Againster on 5/21/11 at 5:14 am

” Without a settlement,  Israel will be a majority Palestinian country.”
Wrong: Jewish birthrate exceeds Muslim birthrate. ..Do your homework.

“Without a settlement, Israel’s security, legitimacy and moral standing will erode, then vanish.”
O my - how awful! ..Golda opined: ‘Better a bad press than a good epitaph.’

” Without a settlement, Israel’s economy will stall. ”
Absolutely no evidence for this assertion: made up out of thin air…
” Without a settlement, Israel will only have short-term security.” Where’d you get that crystal ball?
...This article is mere sweeping-up for Obama: its really tough making excuses for Obama, a mendacious
fool ...

Comment by EdwinS on 5/21/11 at 7:12 am

All you people who think the above article is correct need to do further study on past and current Israeli history—hey, and history in general, for that matter! Israel WILL NOT survive without putting up whatever kind of fight it has to in order to SECURE its current borders. This is NOT 1967. We no longer have allies (hey, we can’t include the U.S. anymore, or the British!) The Egyptians, who were our strongest Muslim supporters, are now under Arab Brotherhood rule. Have you been keeping up with the hate correspondence from all ends of northern, Muslim-occupied Africa and the rest of the world toward us? Study…prepare!!!

Comment by Roberta Casper on 5/21/11 at 7:35 am

Do you seriously think Israel does not have the ability to protect its SECURITY. This has been the largest occupation in the History. My appeal to Jewish friends is to reason. Muslim world is not Israel’s enemy. Giving the land back and granting right of return is not impossible. Parties of equal status have the ability to negotiate. Israel does not consider Palistinans equal to them. Making peace is in the interest of Israel’s long term prosperity. Followers of Prophen Moses are God’s chosen people and God has granted you as promised a better mind, wisdom and courage. Do the right thing.

Comment by Riaz Khan on 5/21/11 at 11:07 am

Mr. Khan:  My father always said"the only person who ever kept his promises to the Jew was hitler”

Comment by Honey Bee on 5/21/11 at 11:17 am

Some comments posted here are incredibly obtuse. Wanting to remain occupiers and suppressing millions of Arabs in the process is dehumanizing, ugly, counterproductive and smacks of racism.
  The two-state solution is the only solution!
  Einstein once wrote:
  “If we do not succeed in finding a path of honest cooperation and coming to terms with the Arabs, we will not have learned anything from our 2000-year old ordeal and will deserve the fate which will beset us. I’m afraid of the inner damage Judaism will sustain –especially from a development of a narrow nationalism within our own ranks.” 
  Those words are still true today. They will always be true!

Comment by EL on 5/21/11 at 11:21 am

Of course the rational thing to do among thinking, intelligent people would be to sit down and do some hard trading and that would be it….however without a partner your trading with yourself!!!
Sharon gave up Gaza and the arabs thanked him with a gift of constant rocket fire!!!
The Palestinians from the street people to all their leaders are on record stating “we want it all and won’t rest until we get it”!!!

Can’t we just take their word for it…huh??? Hitler said it…he meant it!!!

All these Jewish apologists say give it a shot…LIKE when the “operaion” goes bad the doctor says “oooopppps!!!”...which is just what obama will say when he finally gets his way!!!

Comment by norog on 5/21/11 at 11:56 am

The Jews did not kick out the so called palestinian arabs (theJews were also referred to as Palestinians at the time) they left!!!  The UN voted PARTITION in 1948…the Jews accepted it the arabs declined it saying…they wanted it all.
They attacked the Jews with overwhelming force and lost!!! They attacked again and again and they lost again and again…Now they cry foul and want to change the rules of the game!!!....sorry abdul…Game Over!!!
PS: after 9/11 was it not the palestinian arabs celebrating on tops of cars burning American Flags???...

Comment by Ben on 5/21/11 at 12:29 pm

Check out: Opinion in the NY—No threat No disrespect. I never thought I would be agreeing with Jonathan Goldberg on anything. What Obama said has been said BEFORE! Get with the program, folks. The train that is coming toward Israel is heavy, fast and powerful. It’ll destroy, once again, another Israeli dream. The two-state solution is the ONLY solution!

Comment by EL on 5/21/11 at 1:32 pm

1976 is the legal UN recognized borders between Israel and Palestine. Whatever has been done to occupy the lands of others was illegal. Illegal acts never bring stability and peace. We need to open our eyes and see the fact that Jews have already been outnumbered by Arabs. If we want stability and safety we have to forget out fancy fanatic beliefs and make a fair deal with them for the sake of our children.

Comment by Norman Frohman on 5/21/11 at 11:54 pm

Who are these “Jews” who would put the security of Israel on the word of lying genocidal terrorists.  Hello, you cannot trust these people period.  We need to secure ourselves and stop listen to the uber leftist Jews who think changing the land boundaries will magically change the integrity of our enemies.  It’s not going to happen.

Comment by Lou Adams on 5/22/11 at 5:47 am

Those same uber leftists led by Rob, always speak to nuances in the conversation, they seem to miss the nuances of past presidents who always left the opportunity for Israel to have secure borders?  Isn’t caution an obvious consideration when dealing with a death cult. If there is no doubt in one’s mind on trusting O I suggest your perception is beyond hope and your love for the survival of your people has suffered a disconnect.

Comment by Lou Adams on 5/22/11 at 5:48 am

NF Do you recognize that Jerusalem was occupied by Jordan in 1948 and Jews were violently forced out? 
Please take a moment to study the history of Muslim conquest, only someone insane would base “security and safety for the sake of our children” on the word of Muslims. The have 1400 years of breaking agreements, Mohammed is their model when he broke his agreement with Jews in The Treaty of Hudaibiya. 
Shame on you for pushing your people to the precipice of destruction.

Comment by Lou Adams on 5/22/11 at 5:57 am

Folks, it is worth repeating what Einstein said: 

    “IF WE DO NOT SUCCEED IN FINDING A PATH OF HONEST COOPERATION AND COMING TO TERMS WITH THE ARABS, WE WILL NOT HAVE LEARNED ANYTHING FROM OUR 2000-YEAR OLD ORDEAL AND WILL DESERVE THE FATE WHICH WILL BESET US. I’M AFRAID OF THE INNER DAMAGE JUDAISM WILL SUSTAIN—ESPECIALLY FROM A DEVELOPMENT OF A NARROW NATIONALISM WITHIN OUR RANKS.”

Comment by EL on 5/22/11 at 1:52 pm

There are only two points to be made: the only “central” issue blocking peace in the middle east is muslim unwillingness to accept a Jewish Israel.  Backed by their Koran, the Muslims that count will only accept Jews as subservient servants/slaves (and the same is true for Christians, currently being ethnically cleansed from every Muslim land.

And second, why does the far leftist anti Israeli Eshman keep his job as publisher - let advertisers know you won’t buy their products if advertised in the “J"J.

To the barricades!

Comment by george on 5/22/11 at 4:24 pm

EL best let folks in on all the FACTS. Einstein spoke those words in a lengthy article for an Arabian Palestinian newspaper in 1930. Yea, prior even to the SHOAH. So EL’s message not only out of context but continuum. EL wants us to imbue Einstein with the wisdom of a prophet;  where actually the man a decent physicist but a rather disreputable husband and less than committed Jew. Sadly the real problem here rests not with EL but with an editor considering himself wise enough to consul a sitting president and in same breath inured to the abiding phrase, never again. Aunty Mame

Comment by Mr. Againster on 5/22/11 at 4:43 pm

Mr. Eshman, I’ll see your three little words “Nineteen sixty seven” and raise you two-

NEVER AGAIN! Aunty Mame

Comment by Mr. Againster on 5/22/11 at 4:51 pm

OSAMA,OBAMA,AND ESHMAN.What part OBAMAS word “contiguous”do you fail to understand. This means a swath of territory carved out to link Gaza and the West Bank. I always knew. that peace now would destroy any chance of peace. now you and the president will condemn another generation of my brothers to delusional attacks and bloodshed., Watch Osama he is talking about you Mr. Eshman:
http://rightscoop.tv/guess-who-else-support-the-arab-revolutions/

Comment by Moderate Muslim on 5/22/11 at 6:55 pm

Obama’s downgrading of traditional American allies in favor of longtime enemies, has convinced Palestinians that if they hold out, America will eventually abandon Israel, too. And why compromise now if they can have it all later? Hence the flurry of new demands, like no negotiations without a settlement freeze, that they never posed before.

Every Israeli Retreat Has Invited Anti-West Arab Terrorists to Arm and Militarize, Rain Unprecedented Destruction, and Launch New Deadly Battle Fronts of Rocket Fire at Israeli Cities That Previously Had Been Secure

Responsibility for Israel’s survival depends on the Prime Minister

Comment by LT COL HOWARD on 5/22/11 at 10:34 pm

Michael ,Pres Obama made a radical change. Wall Street Journal 5/21/11 p A8 traces US policy and shows Obama’s “shifting stance”. Right of return & Jerusalem must be settled first.  In land for peace -if you first give up the land you will get nothing else settled &will; not get peace

Joel your history is wrong - get it from historians not politicians

Dick,Lois,Cantor when Israel was struggling for survival against Arab invading armies the American Council for Judaism and many liberal reform Jews opposed the establishment of Israel and supported the US State Dept embargo on arms to Israel

Jean Simmons says it well
http://www.therightscoop.com/gene-simmons-slams-obama-for-

Comment by CHRISTIAN SERVICE WORKER on 5/22/11 at 11:35 pm

Suissa Always provides a lot of wisdom and common sense.

NAKBA IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
MAY 17, 2011
BY DAVID SUISSA

Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Obama planted seeds of failure
BY DAVID SUISSA

Comment by HOWARD LAITIN on 5/23/11 at 1:51 am

Interesting that the follow-up to this post is from JTA. Sadly, Ron Kampeas has such a hard-left agenda that I find it impossible to read. I hope Mr. Eshman, that you have the journalistic integrity to keep this conversation going. The stakes are too high to shut this down. The moment is too vital. You might find this interesting: http://wwwtwosetsofbooks.blogspot.com/2011/04/exclusive-hillary-backers-obama-muslim.html
It is what hillary backers have to say about the Ground Zero Mosque.
on another note, news which does not slander the right as racists etc is not readily available. it would be a mitzvah for the Jewish Journal to make a point of balancing its coverage from today on out.

Comment by patti on 5/23/11 at 4:09 pm

It is important to realize these basic facts. The “dispute” between Fatah and Hamas is a turf war between rival gangs of thugs, and has little to do with ideology.  Regarding their problem with “the Zionist entity” they have held a different view regarding tactics, but not about ultimate goals.  Fatah under Abu Mazen (aka Mahmoud Abbas) believes in getting as much territory “for free” up front, either by negotiation or by having it handed to them by the UN (or Obama), only after which they can take up armed struggle, in a more advantaged position, to get the rest. Hamas has been more open about their intention to utterly destroy Israel

Comment by Lt Col Howard on 5/23/11 at 4:16 pm

  Coalition put together by the new rulers in Egypt bet Fatah and Hamas may have persuaded Hamas to pretend to be “more flexible” in order to achieve the initial goal of getting sovereignty and recognition of “Palestine” before launching an all-out war for extinction of what is left of Israel.  The “outside world” had imposed three conditions on Hamas in order to give it recognition as other than a terrorist organization: 1) Recognize Israel’s right to exist , 2) Renounce the use of force, and3) Accept the previous agreements regarding “peace with israel” made by earlier Palestinian leaders.

Comment by Lt Col Howard on 5/23/11 at 4:18 pm

 I don’t know how much of this Hamas is prepared to pretend to do, since agreeing to any of it would make them look hypocritical in the eyes of their own supporters; but I fear that the “outside world” will give them a pass on this in exchange for the mildest version of a statement to the effect that they are “willing to negotiate”.  After all, the demand that Fatah modify the “Palestinian Charter” has been forgotten by the “outside world”.

Comment by Lt Col Howard on 5/23/11 at 4:19 pm

I’m proud of Rob Eshman for standing up for the President.  Neither the President nor Mr. Eshman formulated any new peace policy. No one is expecting a return to the EXACT borders of 1967. The issue is how much land will be swapped and where. Israel prefers to keep the major settlement blocks and give the Palestinians land in the Negev, whereas the Palestinians prefer agricultural and inhabited land and don’t really want areas in the desert.  The reality is that some land will be swapped and the Palestinians won’t get everything they want and the Israelis won’t get to keep every settlement.  This is the SAME PRINCIPLE followed by every Israeli administration since Rabin!

Comment by Trevor Witt on 5/27/11 at 11:47 am

The whole point is it is not about ‘the President’. It is about the Left, the United Nations, the “Spiritual Progressives” etc
UNISPAL To Meet in Brussels June 28-29 to “Consider Current European political initivatives.”
  http://wwwtwosetsofbooks.blogspot.com/2011/05/unispal-to-meet-in-brussels-june-28-29.html

Comment by patti on 5/27/11 at 2:44 pm

patti Iread UNISPAL G-D help the Israelis!

Comment by Honey Bee on 5/27/11 at 3:15 pm

Honeybee… Los Angeles has some powerful politicians who can introduce legislation to defund the UN. Mr. Waxman would be ideal. If you guys start a petition and can get 10,000 people to sign it I will push hard from this coast. The UN Security Council, the ICC Faith and Values Caucus etc have always been shunned by the US. Obama signed us up…. the Hard Left’s Dream. This train can be stopped. Mr. Waxman, who yesterday praised the Vatican for its Climate Change Statement needs to be held accountable. No one community in this country has more leverage than California Jews and Christians who care about Israel. What a mitzvah you guys can do…..

Comment by patti on 5/27/11 at 3:29 pm

patti: I don’t lie in Los Angeles or Cakifornia.

Comment by Honey Bee on 5/28/11 at 8:27 am

Sorry for the delay in writing back. Are there folks on this list who would like to get involved? Honeybee, if you tell me what state or country you live in I can try to find resources.

Comment by patti on 5/29/11 at 9:52 am

patti:Colorado/TEXAS.

Comment by honey Bee on 5/29/11 at 4:18 pm

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