Jewish Donors Warn Obama on Israel

[Still a Democrat]

Jewish donors and fund-raisers are warning the Obama re-election campaign that the president is at risk of losing financial support because of concerns about his handling of Israel.

The complaints began early in President Barack Obama's term, centered on a perception that Mr. Obama has been too tough on Israel.

Some Jewish donors say Mr. Obama has pushed Israeli leaders too hard to halt construction of housing settlements in disputed territory, a longstanding element of U.S. policy. Some also worry that Mr. Obama is putting more pressure on the Israelis than the Palestinians to enter peace negotiations, and say they are disappointed Mr. Obama has not visited Israel yet.

One top Democratic fund-raiser, Miami developer Michael Adler, said he urged Obama campaign manager Jim Messina to be "extremely proactive" in countering the perception in the Jewish community that Mr. Obama is too critical of Israel.

...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424...lenews_wsj

[Julie]

I have heard all about the big speech. Seems to me what Obama is doing is playing fair.

Julie

[kahuna]

(05-19-2011 05:35 PM)Julie Wrote:  I have heard all about the big speech. Seems to me what Obama is doing is playing fair.

Julie

When morning joe was trying to make a big deal of it, he asked David Gregory about it, and I believe Gregory is Jewish, himself. Gregory explained it in a very fair and unbiased way which took the wind out of Joe's sails. Mica who is now a supporter of the president, sat by smuggly as Gregory dispelled the GOP talking points. I'm so happy that my Mica has returned to her senses. I always liked her.

[There Is No Spoon]

The blackmailing begins.

Perhaps I'll rally the Armenian community against Democrats because they never passed the resolution condemning Turkey for the massacre 90 years ago.

Well, except I'm American. Are the critics American or Israeli? Pick a country to support. Israel does the US no favors by illegally building settlements in what can only be described as a provocation.



(edited because a rhetorical question I asked sounded like it was directed at the O/P )

[OptimistesMaddie]

(05-19-2011 05:41 PM)There Is No Spoon Wrote:  The blackmailing begins.

Perhaps I'll rally the Armenian community against Democrats because they never passed the resolution condemning Turkey for the massacre 90 years ago.

Well, except I'm American. Are the critics American or Israeli? Pick a country to support. Israel does the US no favors by illegally building settlements in what can only be described as a provocation.



(edited because a rhetorical question I asked sounded like it was directed at the O/P )

My friend you have nailed it! It's okay to be concerned about Israel but how much money are we giving them? There is always another outraged group that surfaces when President Obama makes a significant move. What he is doing is setting AMerica up to disengage itself financially from a lot of these obligations that we are mired in.

Plus, this kinda messes up the Zeolot right wings glorious plans for the end of the world...

[nofurylike]

By Erica Werner
May 20, 2011

http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/net...51949.html

-snip-

The encounter will pit a president deeply frustrated with a peace effort in shambles against an Israeli leader confronted by a Palestinian government he says he cannot do business with. International pressure is growing on both to answer the demands of the Palestinian people as the revolts sweeping the Arab world crest against Israel itself. Palestinian protesters emboldened by the winds of change marched on the Jewish state's borders this week and at least 15 people were killed.

Against that backdrop, Obama is aiming "to try to convince Netanyahu and the Israelis that there's a greater urgency in reaching agreement with the Palestinians because of the dramatic changes under way in the region and greater diplomatic pressures and efforts to isolate Israel and delegitimize its existence," said Haim Malka, deputy director of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"So he was speaking to both the Israelis and the Palestinians and trying to urge them to move forward and conveying a sense of urgency and risk in the status quo," Malka said.

-snip-

Obama was unsparing, too, in his words for the Palestinian leadership, repudiating its pursuit of unilateral statehood through the United Nations and questioning its alliance with a Hamas faction bent on Israel's destruction. It was not immediately clear, however, whether Obama's statement on the 1967 borders as the basis for negotiations — something the Palestinians have long sought — would be sufficient to persuade the Palestinians to drop their quest for U.N. recognition.

-snip-

###

[atomic]

RW-leaning jews perhaps, but the middle and left-leaning Jews support the president's overview as articulated yesterday.

[nofurylike]

(05-20-2011 11:57 AM)eliz@sf Wrote:  RW-leaning jews perhaps, but the middle and left-leaning Jews support the president's overview as articulated yesterday.

absolutely. that is very important to emphasize. thank you for adding that, eliz@sf.