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Sunday Jun 14, 2009
Inside the Middle East: Sweeping Khalidi under Obama's rug
Posted by Martin Kramer
Comments: 28
    
The Washington Post ran an article Saturday, exploring the origins of President Obama's heels-dug-in stance on Israeli settlements. White House officials described Obama's position to the Post as "years old and not the product of recent events or discussions." The Post then traced it way back to some of Obama's Jewish friends from Chicago days. The earliest influence named in the piece is the late Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf of Hyde Park, whose synagogue was across from Obama's home (and whom Marty Peretz memorably described as "one of those remaining nudnik Reform clergy who is always pained that, given the distress of the Palestinians, life is too good for the Israelis").
But how is it possible to mention Wolf and not Rashid Khalidi, Obama's University of Chicago colleague? Not only did Obama famously have his own "conversations" with Khalidi, but Wolf attested that his own conversations with Obama on Israel and the Palestinians were three-way, involving Khalidi. A journalist who interviewed Wolf last year wrote this: Wolf has impressions about Obama's initial views on Israel more than specifics, and the impression was one of sympathy for the views that he and their mutual friend, Palestinian advocate Rashid Khalidi, expressed to him on Israel - views including the need to pressure Israel to give up the West Bank. In retrospect, he believes that Obama was carefully considering their perspective rather than endorsing it. "When he was listening, we had his ear, but he didn't come down on our side," he reflects. "I think he was listening and learning and thinking.""Our side," no less. It makes no sense to invoke Wolf's influence without even mentioning Khalidi, because on the question of the West Bank, they were a tag-team. That's why writing Khalidi out of the story of Obama's view of the settlements is absurd. Back in October, I delivered a lecture suggesting that Khalidi gave Obama his primer on the Middle East. I recently posted it here, for the record. There's nothing in it I would change, and the claim that Obama got his intransigent view of the settlements from exclusively Jewish sources is yet another attempt to sweep Khalidi under the rug.
1 |
Chris USA,
Sunday Jun 14, 2009
Things that make you go hmmmmm??!!!
2 |
sam, france,
Sunday Jun 14, 2009
Explanation for Obama's position : clearly a diplomatic one concerning Israel but the US Foreign department more play a greater effect in the Middle East US position : I don't think that Obama 's is clearly against Isreal but more and clearly more for a real negociated solution between the opponents. I do think that Netanayahu must play this real card : Israel has got its future on the paths and may support more the security with his direct frontiers , more especially the 1967'ones. Israel has got its independance of judgment concerning her future but peaceful one with Palestinians;
3 |
sam, france,
Sunday Jun 14, 2009
Don't forget the the 9/11 stay a day of infamy for USA and more Americans in New York, in several states or inthe World .What would have been the reaction if more than 100 of Isrealis have been murdered or killed by bombing in tel Aviv or Jerusalem :the Middle East would have been in War for a long time !
THe fight of the new age is clearly against terrorism and the USA make what is ever possible to fight against, wherever the terrorism try to settle , and develop its cells ! Its a fight for liberty and independance ! Obama has got a good diplomatic position but the reality sometimes...
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Fred New York,
Monday Jun 15, 2009
Did Obama sweep Khalidi under the rug or did the US Press (with the exception of Fox News) sweep Khalidi under the rug in their efforts to get Obama elected? Unfortunately most liberal Jews I told about the Obama/Khalidi connection ignored it and spent more time worrying about Sarah Palin and abortion.
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Hypatia, Santa Monica California,
Monday Jun 15, 2009
Rashid Khalidi left University of Chicago years ago for an Eastern university; I think Harvard? orColumbia? Good riddance! I am a U of C alum, who heard Khalidi speak at an alumni event. Absolutely shameless!
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Mark S. Devenow, Grand Rapids, Michigan,
Monday Jun 15, 2009
It is apparent that Obama from near the beginning of his time in Chicago traveled in some pretty radical circles. Now he has successfully pulled off the feat of positioning himself outside these circles or has managed, as Martin Kramer puts it with respect to Khalidi, to sweep these associations under the rug. Thus as the presence, and, more critically, influence of Khalidi - the depth and extent of Khalidi's involvement with the Obamas (not merely with the President, but also with the insolent moron who is the first lady) wanting for more general recognition - plays out, it is emblematic
7 |
Jo Ellen Davey Cohen, Chicago,
Monday Jun 15, 2009
Please reference and post my commentary submitted Sunday June 14, 2009. Barack Obama's Chicago connection of dangerous liaisons with a Palestinian-Hamas agenda would include not only Rashid Khalidi, but also Jeremiah Wright, Bill Ayers, and Ahmed Rehab. Moreover, the White House tag-team of Hillary Clinton and George Mitchell complement Obama's anti-Israel position and support his frontal assault on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
8 |
ConservativeNoahide, USA,
Monday Jun 15, 2009
Khalidi is just one of MANY examples of the extreme radicals that Obama has surrounded himself with since college. The American people need to wake up. I am still dumbfounded how this man managed to pull the wool over the American peoples eyes so easily. All through the primary/election process, I honestly felt like anyone who votes for this guy is insane. America is in shambles, and it breaks my heart.
9 |
Adam M. NYC,
Monday Jun 15, 2009
Remember during the election campaign the Los Angeles Times refused to show a tape in its possession of Obama at a party for Rashid Khalidi. If there was nothing untoward on that tape why did they hide it?
10 |
Jim Phillips, Texas, USA,
Tuesday Jun 16, 2009
Israelis, as an American who supports Israel, don't trust Obama. Whatever American support you may have deemed good in the past, as Obama is selling out America, he will sell you out. A sizeable number of Americans want the new administration to support Israel but in a profound way he is anti-American, bent on shattering everything stable, decent, and enduring to America. One reason we haven't been judged by God catastrophically yet is our support for your nation. Now, you are on your own, and I say do whatever it takes to defend yourself.
11 |
Issa,
Tuesday Jun 16, 2009
Suppose Obama deeply feels the West Bank belongs to the Palestinian Arabs. So what? Israel intends to keep the main settlement blocs and the rest of the 100 outpost should be permited under whatever Palestinian state authority develops. No more massive population translocation. It only causes trouble. If they want to stay, let them stay and pay taxes. If King Fahd wants a flag on East Jerusalem, big deal. But refugees coming into Israel - absolutely not. It is 60 years too late. Sorryl
12 |
Eli, Kiryat Ono, Israel,
Tuesday Jun 16, 2009
It seems that the lies, half-truths and incitement emanating from the Arab world have finally reached the highest levels of US Government. Before applying unjustifiable pressure on Israel Mr. Obama should ask himself whether he will support Al Quaida state with free access to missiles in Maryland, just a few miles from his home. Israel is being asked to agree to something very similar. This is based on Israel's horrific experience after the pullout from the West Bank under agreement with the PA and after unilateral withdrawal from Gaza.
13 |
Mark,
Tuesday Jun 16, 2009
While it's obviously true that the Khalidis of the world helped shape Obama's view of the Israel/Palestinian conflict, it's also true that opinion-shapers within the Jewish community (Marty Peretz, Alan Dershowitz and Ed Koch, for example) supported Obama despite being aware of the anti-Israel beliefs of Obama's politcal mentors. Let's not sweep these "esteemed" leaders of the Jewish community under the rug either.
14 |
Carolyn USA,
Tuesday Jun 16, 2009
I hope the J Post people moderating this web site understand that some Americans don't agree with other Americans blogging this site. We're the left wing nuts and WE WON! Some of us agree that Israel should be protected, but not at our expense. While we respect Israels inherent claim to the land,we cannot continue to support Israel until the Palestinians (who are also Gods children N0.10) are given respect and a place to live without fear of being killed by weapons payed for with American tax dollars. Only Israel can make peace with the Palestinians. We're not anti Semitic; just Pro America!
15 |
David Katcoff, Jericho, Vt,
Tuesday Jun 16, 2009
I just hope that eventually we can sweep Obama under the rug.
16 |
Chris Francis, London, Canada,
Wednesday Jun 17, 2009
I am shocked to hear that President Obama would listen to a Palestinian advocate. He must learn to only listen to one side of the story, like George Bush. Can we say that President Bush gained the admiration of the world and made the world a better place? No.
The fact is that Israelis are happy with the status quo and have no reason to give any concessions to the Palestinians. The Palestinians are unhappy with the status quo, but have no power to change anything and very little negotiating leverage. That is why the US has to pressure Israel to negotiate a peace deal.
17 |
bn,
Wednesday Jun 17, 2009
how dare barack obama sit in a room and have a debate and hear out the version from two opposing sides of a debate ?how dare he approach a problem with an unbiased mind and reflect on what both sides have to say and see it from each point of view facing the other?how dare he indulge in democracy?the fact is u israelis are up in arms bvcos finally we have a us president who is not ur slave like bush 1,clnton and bush 2.a president who doesnt give u free reign to act as u please and place the us in danger as a result.a president who actually wants to solve the problem .
18 |
Eli, Kiryat Ono, Israel,
Wednesday Jun 17, 2009
#16, you are wrong. In 1948, before there was any Arab refugee and no so-called occupation they invaded Israel to destroy it and they are still trying. Look at their horrific incitement in MEMRI TV (on the web, translated to English) as an example. There is no doubt in my mind that with this level of incitement a second Holocaust may befall the remaining Jewish people in Israel if weakened slightly. No, I am not happy with the status quo as you assert from the safe distance of Canada. Obama is unjustifiably rewarding those who do not deserve it and may become an accomplice in a disaster.
19 |
larry Kosberg, Milwaukee USA,
Wednesday Jun 17, 2009
What ??? A Reform Rabbi blaming Israel for the "plight" of the Palestinians????
I am so shocked ......Shocked I tell you !!!
Let's see, the Reformation......Hmmmmm, didn't that start in Martin Luther's Germany,
the same Germany that produced the Holocaust ???
The thing about Reform Judiasm is that, like the German Jews before the war, they consider themselves Germans ( or whatever ) first, and only secondarily Jews.
As I recall, they were loaded onto the same RR boxcars as Orthodox Jews.
They are the weak link among our people. Well meaning, yes. Unfortunately they put all Jews at risk.
20 |
Joseph Lessard,
Thursday Jun 18, 2009
#14 When did it become "we won", and you conservatives lost. This is the entire problem with America today. People see things as left and riight, up and down. What happened to America? Washington hated the idea of a 2 party system. Thomas Jefferson believed when we divided so, our nation would meet its end. Abe Lincoln prophesied that no other nation could destroy us, instead he said we would destroy ourselves. Left and right, we must sit down and reason together, and soon, or all will be lost. I am not left or right. I am an American! And I support Israel too.
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Roddy Frankel,
Thursday Jun 18, 2009
To Carolyn, USA (#14): You may not think you're an anti-semite (I have never met one who possesses such insight) but you certainly discriminate against Jews. You deny Jews the right to defend themselves, while defending the right of Arabs to terrorize Jews. You hold Jews to a lofty moral standard of warfare, where "no innocent civilians" can ever die in the crossfire. Yet your moral double standard would never hold Arabs to the same standard. You claim Arabs live in "fear of being killed..." yet you ignore the of videos from Gaza showing children running with militants TOWARD the battle front.
22 |
CHOI,
Thursday Jun 18, 2009
Carolyn(#14),
You're Right about one thing, You are a Left-Wingnut.
Before you get too full of yourself, REMEMBER ,it is closer to the 2010 General Election,EVERY SECOND.
EVERY Seat in the House and 1/3 of the Senate.
Got That, Carolyn !!
23 |
Harry in New City, NY,
Thursday Jun 18, 2009
here we go again...guilt by association
There is nothing to corraborate anything that this nutty Rabbi Wolf has said including that Khaladi and Obama are friends...Again another ridiculous statement. Get over it Martin.. You lost, and the educated among us who read all sides of issues beat you. 78% of the Jewish vote went to president Obama. enough of your crap already..it's over!!
24 |
Joseph Lessard USA,
Friday Jun 19, 2009
The democratic (liberal) idea that WE WON is the key to what is wrong with America. The other problem is the destruction of the family, and the furtherance of a secular society where being intolerant of conservatives in the name of tolerance has become the norm.. Exibit A, the treatmant of Mccain on THE VIEW as compared to Obama. Exibit B the vicious frothing at the mouth attacks by the left on the Palin family, especialy the women/girls. Comapare to the kid glove treatmen of Mrs. Obama. The media is liberal thus liberals are coddled, period. G-d save America and Israel! We--all the people!
25 |
jan Netherlands,
Friday Jun 19, 2009
#21 Gotta have eyes to believe this. Ok, so most anti-Semites, don't know they are?A person with differing views from your own is anti-Semite at heart?I think #14 made it clear she believes in Israel's right to it's land.
So, you dare to use the example of children running to the battlefront as evidence that military attack is legitimate? WOW! To me it just shows how badly has a situation deteriorated, and how sad those people's lifes are, that even children will go fight. Even if it's devilish indoctrination, does any human desire such a life? Would they do so if they sensed a choice? Think!
26 |
Catherine, Chicago,
Friday Jun 19, 2009
I saw a photograph in the news today that called President Obama an "Anti-Semitic Jew Hater" with a picture of him with a shawl wrapped around his head. I went to the University of Chicago in Hyde Park, that University is a long-standing refuge from anti-Semites. I am pro-Israel. But when you start talking about our president like this, you had better watch yourselves. Americans will conclude we have nothing to lose by abandoning you. We lost the greatest politician in the late 20th century to the Israel issue: Senator Robert Kennedy, albeit his assassin was also nuts. There is a limit.
27 |
Joseph Lessard,
Thursday Jun 25, 2009
#8 I agree with your comments. Obama had help from his adoring, make it slobbering fans in the media. He was also aided by criminal enterprises like ACORN. He now has power, and is moving to make it absolute power. "Dreams of my father" was his "Mein Kampf" work. We have been lied to more than an adulterer's wife-- sold a bucket of horse dung and told it was gold. Many fell for the lies; just like in 1930s Germany. We will soon be under an Islamic Marxist boot, and Obama will be our Chairman, Sultan, or perhaps Great Leader. Yes comrade this mightmare is coming. Farewell sweet liberty!
28 |
Koev Rosh,
Thursday Jun 25, 2009
To Catherine: "You had better watch yourselves. Americans will conclude we have nothing to lose by abandoning you...?!!" Sadly, the US did ABANDON the Jews (with the enthusiastic collaboration of
deluded Jewish FDR adulators)...by allowing the State Department to block legal entry visas for 100,000's refugees during the 1930's! Thus, the greatest catastrophe in Jewish and world history
was aided and abetted by US. Can't rely on your Chicago kindness ... you people will turn on the Jews like scorpions in the desert ... with the help of self-hating collaborators.
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