What will Obama do?
By Frida Ghitis @ JewishWorldReview
President-elect Barack Obama has so far said nothing about the war raging between Israel and Hamas in Gaza because he has nothing to gain and much to lose by making his position clear. His silence, which he defends deferring to President Bush — "We have only one president at a time" — is not exactly a shining example of courage and leadership. Instead, it reveals once again a man defined more by caution than boldness. And one who knows just how much is at stake for the Middle East and for his own administration.
When Obama finally speaks out about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, millions of people will feel disappointed, angry and even betrayed. The blow will come either to those who hoped the new American president would weaken the close relationship between Israel and the United States or to those who want the links to remain as strong as ever.
Obama may not be talking, but he has spoken before, and his words left no room for misunderstanding. Last summer, while visiting an Israeli town that for years has endured almost daily attacks by Hamas, he reassured Israelis anxious about his views. As a father, he said, he would do whatever he could to protect his children and he expected Israel to do the same to protect its citizens. Still, some dismissed the words as the utterances of a candidate pandering for votes. Read the rest HERE
President-elect Barack Obama has so far said nothing about the war raging between Israel and Hamas in Gaza because he has nothing to gain and much to lose by making his position clear. His silence, which he defends deferring to President Bush — "We have only one president at a time" — is not exactly a shining example of courage and leadership. Instead, it reveals once again a man defined more by caution than boldness. And one who knows just how much is at stake for the Middle East and for his own administration.
When Obama finally speaks out about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, millions of people will feel disappointed, angry and even betrayed. The blow will come either to those who hoped the new American president would weaken the close relationship between Israel and the United States or to those who want the links to remain as strong as ever.
Obama may not be talking, but he has spoken before, and his words left no room for misunderstanding. Last summer, while visiting an Israeli town that for years has endured almost daily attacks by Hamas, he reassured Israelis anxious about his views. As a father, he said, he would do whatever he could to protect his children and he expected Israel to do the same to protect its citizens. Still, some dismissed the words as the utterances of a candidate pandering for votes. Read the rest HERE
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