Israel Matzav

Koch blasts Obama and Democrats again

Senator Obama received 78 percent of the votes of the Jewish community nationwide. The only group giving him a higher percentage was the African-American community. Many Jewish leaders, myself included, have concluded that President Obama has reneged on his support for the security of Israel - a major priority for most American Jews and many Christians - and is shifting American foreign policy to favor the Muslim, and in particular, the Palestinian cause. It should come as no surprise that in response to a poll taken by Quinnipiac University asking, "Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation between Israel and the Palestinians?" 67 percent of Jews disapproved and 28 percent approved. That same poll showed support by Democrats for Israel was 46 percent and among Republicans, 70 percent. Did this shock me and many others? You bet.

Following the sending of the House and Senate letters to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the President appeared to be backpedaling, and in a letter to a major Jewish organization, assured the Jewish community that he was committed to Israel's security. Jewish leaders, seeking to end the rift and end their criticism of him on this issue, decided to take President Obama at his word.

However, this past week, the Weekly Standard stated that it "has learned that senior Obama administration officials have been telling foreign governments that the administration intends to support an effort next week at the United Nations to set up an independent commission, under UN auspices, to investigate Israel's behavior in the Gaza flotilla incident."

Israel has just announced the formation of a commission to investigate the blockade incident, which will include two non-Israelis. One, Lord Trimble from Northern Ireland, the other, retired Canadian Brigadier General Ken Watkin. If the Weekly Standard's report is true, this will surely reawaken fears of Obama on the issue of U.S. support for Israel.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:36 PM