Israel Matzav

Obama to meet 'Jewish leaders'; UPDATE: Jewish leaders seen as 'Right-wing' excluded

President Obama is to meet with 'Jewish leaders' at the White House on Monday amidst what's being described as 'concern' over the administration's unbalanced policy toward Israel. But no need to worry. Continuing in the finest tradition of many American rabbis, many of these 'leaders' will be more than happy to sell Israel out.

"American Jews more or less agree with the president on settlements, but it's the focus on criticizing Israel that's disconcerting," said an organization leader who will be attending the meeting.

"There's no single monolithic voice speaking for American Jewry," said another participating leader. "When both the Orthodox Union and [American Friends of] Peace Now are in the room, you won't get a unified opinion."

He added that "it's important to speak carefully, because one Jewish leader shouldn't say things that will be contradicted by another. It's important not to appear divided."

The meeting, under the aegis of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, will include representatives of the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform religious streams, and major groups such as AIPAC, the American Jewish Committee, ADL and Hadassah.

And why will so many be willing to sell Israel out? The answer should be obvious.

Most of the heads and membership of the major organizations are Democrats who broadly support the current administration - another cause for discomfort.

But of course. These are people who are incapable of voting for a Republican. The only thing Obama has to fear with them is that they will stay home in 2010 and 2012.

The Monday meeting is off-record and was intended to be kept secret.

And if anyone sends me anything I'm allowed to use, I will be the first to let you know.

UPDATE 2:06 PM

Given the urgent need for 'transparency' in the White House (at least until January 20, 2009), I'm sure this won't surprise many of you. The White House is excluding from today's meeting any Zionist organization which is seen as being 'Right-wing.' It is also including the extreme Leftist J-Street pro-surrender lobby. Among those attending is the strongly dovish J Street lobby.

The president excluded the strongly nationalist National Council of Young Israel (YI) and Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), sources told Israel National News.

...

Dr. Aaron Lerner, head of Independent Media Review Analysis (IMRA), said that a National Council of Young Israel (YI) official told him that the strongly pro-Israel organization was not among those on the invitation list. Dr. Lerner added. "It follows that Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) isn’t in.”

Both organizations are strong backers of a Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria and oppose American attempts to force Israel to expel its 300,000 residents in order to allow the establishment of a Palestinian Authority state in their place.

The National Council of Young Israel is Orthodox. I am going to guess that Agudath Yisrael (no web site) is not invited and that the only Orthodox organization invited is therefore the OU - the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations. Anyone want to quickly urge them to boycott in response to Young Israel being excluded?

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:27 AM