Remember the Khalidi thread?

[hambirg]

When nobody thought it was a big deal that Obama was being intentionally vague about his position?

I said:

People want to know about the relationship because they would like to know what Obama's real stand on the Palestinian issue is. He says he is Pro-Israelis, but the Palestinian-Americans seem to think that he in Pro-Palestinian. One of those two groups is going to be disappointed. It's a valid question.

Well, now we know who is disappointed:

Palestinians were angry over Obama’s appointment of Emanuel as Chief of Staff, especially after his father Benjamin Emanuel was interviewed by the Hebrew daily Maariv in an article entitled “Our Man in the White House.” He stated: "Obviously, he will influence the President to be pro-Israel. Why shouldn't he do it? What is he, an Arab? He's not going to clean the floor of the White House." Subhi Abu Ishira on the Palestinian NGO network responded "With the appointment of this Zionist, Barack Obama is proving that he is more Zionist than the Zionists." The Window into Palestine blog referred to Emanuel as "the son of a terrorist, a real living terrorist."He referred to Benjamin Emanuel’s participation in the Irgun, which the Anglo–American Committee of Inquiry and the New York Times labeled a terrorist group for its bombings of Arab and British civilian and government targets. According to the New York Times Benjamin Emanuel "passed secret codes" for Irgun leader Menachem Begin.[48]

Palestinian American Ali Abunimah of Electronic Intifada speaking on Democracy Now criticized Obama’s appointment of Emanuel, who he called “one of the most hard-line supporters of Israel in the Congress,” and “far to the right of President Bush when it comes to supporting Israel.” He said Obama is sending the signal he would not be taking “more balanced, more objective, more realistic advice that could change the course from the disastrous Palestine-Israel policies of the Bush and Clinton administrations.”

John V. Whitbeck, an international lawyer who has advised Palestinian negotiators in talks with Israel, wrote that Obama’s appointment of Emanuel sends a “contemptuous message to the Muslim world.” He writes Muslims have a “profound loathing and hatred” of the the United States because of America's unconditional support for injustices inflicted on Palestinians, “the core” of American foreign policy and "national security" problems.

This is not good. When you use intentional vagueness as a form of propaganda to garner support from all sides, somebody is going to end up pissed off when their expectations aren't met. This does not bode well for us.

[kvmj]

Obama is pro Israel. I have no reason to believe that he will not deal with Palestine fairly.

There are many countries in the Middle East where Americans are referred to as Jews. Iraq is such a country. Many of our presidents have handled the Israel-Palestine issue with complete favor for Israel.

[hambirg]

Originally Posted by kvmj

Obama is pro Israel. I have no reason to believe that he will not deal with Palestine fairly.

There are many countries in the Middle East where Americans are referred to as Jews. Iraq is such a country. Many of our presidents have handled the Israel-Palestine issue with complete favor for Israel.

That's not the point. Obama has led the Pro-Palestinian world into believing that he would be different. That's not a very wise thing to do when you are planning to not be different. And they most definitely see appointing Emanuel as not different at all. . . .in fact they see it as a sign that things will be worse. . .not better.

[hambirg]

Bumping. . .just because I think this is an important issue. . . .and well, we are all about the issues right?

I mean. . .if Palin's wardrobe is so damn important then why isn't how the Arab world now sees us not? After all, Obama was going to be the gentler, more understanding candidate, right?

[wildwood]

Well the son doesn't always act like the father. Look at Bush and Bush for instance. I think he put Emanuel in to deal with Congress mainly. He also needed to reassure the Jews that his middle name was just that, a middle name. The Muslim world is going to be upset no matter what happens in one part of that world or another. No matter what he did, it would have upset someone.

BTW. What is the pro-Palestine world? If the members of the Muslim world were so concerned with a Palestine nation, why haven't they set one up? Because they really don't care? Because it seems like a good excuse to start trouble? Because the only thing that will make them happy, and then only temporarily, would be to erase Israel and turn it into the new Palestine? Or all of the above?

[Kelliiii]

Originally Posted by hambirg

Bumping. . .just because I think this is an important issue. . . .and well, we are all about the issues right?

I mean. . .if Palin's wardrobe is so damn important then why isn't how the Arab world now sees us not? After all, Obama was going to be the gentler, more understanding candidate, right?

I agree. This is an important issue.

I found a couple of articles....

Obama the prez world's waiting for? -USA-World-The Times of India

Arabs happy Obama won... and that Bush's man lost | Middle East | Jerusalem Post

President Elect Obama - Reactions - Saudi Arabia

The Arab Reaction to Obama

and this one...

Dar Al Hayat

I tried to grab a couple that were from outside the US. Haven't read them yet....but they all came up when I searched for "Middle East reaction to Obama."

[hambirg]

Originally Posted by Kelliiii

I agree. This is an important issue.

I found a couple of articles....

Obama the prez world's waiting for? -USA-World-The Times of India

Arabs happy Obama won... and that Bush's man lost | Middle East | Jerusalem Post

President Elect Obama - Reactions - Saudi Arabia

The Arab Reaction to Obama

and this one...

Dar Al Hayat

I tried to grab a couple that were from outside the US. Haven't read them yet....but they all came up when I searched for "Middle East reaction to Obama."

Thanks for the links. I'll try to get through them. . .lol!

I just think this is important. Like I said, I don't think beign Pro-Israel is the problem, but that he somehow might have given the Arab world the impression that he was not is. When you set some high expectation, people seem to be more pissed when that doesn't come to fruitation than if there simply was no expectation. Maybe he will still be kindler and gentler to them, but that remains to be seen. All I know is that we don't need them to hate us even more.

[hambirg]

Originally Posted by wildwood

Well the son doesn't always act like the father. Look at Bush and Bush for instance. I think he put Emanuel in to deal with Congress mainly. He also needed to reassure the Jews that his middle name was just that, a middle name. The Muslim world is going to be upset no matter what happens in one part of that world or another. No matter what he did, it would have upset someone.

BTW. What is the pro-Palestine world? If the members of the Muslim world were so concerned with a Palestine nation, why haven't they set one up? Because they really don't care? Because it seems like a good excuse to start trouble? Because the only thing that will make them happy, and then only temporarily, would be to erase Israel and turn it into the new Palestine? Or all of the above?

All good points. I don't have the answers though.

[Kelliiii]

Originally Posted by hambirg

Thanks for the links. I'll try to get through them. . .lol!

I just think this is important. Like I said, I don't think beign Pro-Israel is the problem, but that he somehow might have given the Arab world the impression that he was not is. When you set some high expectation, people seem to be more pissed when that doesn't come to fruitation than if there simply was no expectation. Maybe he will still be kindler and gentler to them, but that remains to be seen. All I know is that we don't need them to hate us even more.

The Dar Al Hayat one is a pretty decent read....I'm still working through the others.

Let me know if you come across anything else of interest.

[ohhgodd]

Hambirg.

That is very interesting. Thank you for posting this.

That might explain why Palestine bombed Israel right after our President was announced. Maybe they felt a sense of security that the USA would not have Israel's back?

I think I mentioned that very same thing a while ago on here...

[hambirg]

Originally Posted by ohhgodd

Hambirg.

That is very interesting. Thank you for posting this.

That might explain why Palestine bombed Israel right after our President was announced. Maybe they felt a sense of security that the USA would not have Israel's back?

I think I mentioned that very same thing a while ago on here...

It was definitely a test. I'm afraid that they are soon going to find out that Obama was all talk. From what I read from the links Kelliiii posted they are happy in one breath, but then saying it doesn't matter in the next. They openly said that there will be no difference between Obmama and McCain when it comes to policy in the middle east. I find it interesting that the Iraqi's are now begging the US to stay. . .and telling their people that the US will not pull out abruptly.