Those who closely follow the intersection of Jewish and Democratic politics know that there's been a good bit of noise -- though perhaps not much light -- surrounding whether President Barack Obama "gets" the American Jewish community. Indeed, Obama has not pleased every American Jew, much the same way that three Jews in a room would not likely agree with each other anytime soon when it comes to existential issues. But beyond domestic policies (about which the vast, overwhelming majority of this community agrees with Democratic positions on reproductive freedom, health care reform, separation of church and state, etc.) and beyond complex U.S.-Israel issues, like the ongoing negotiations concerning settlements (about which there are complex disagreements within the Jewish community), detractors of this president keep asking: does he really "get" American Jews and their concerns?
If there could have conceivably been any lingering doubt, Monday's meeting with Jewish community leaders in the White House's Roosevelt Room should put it to rest. With no notes, Obama reportedly demonstrated a broad strategic command of the details of Middle East policy that are understandably of great interest to many American Jews. He spoke eloquently about the threat posed by a nuclear Iran, and how and why this cannot come to pass; and he spoke effortlessly and earnestly about his profound and lasting commitment to the enduring security of Israel as a Jewish state, and to the need for the Palestinian Authority and surrounding Arab states to crack down on violence and incitement, according to reports. And demonstrating his understanding that American Jews view strong support for Israel as critical but not sufficient -- as Jews care deeply about a wide range of domestic policies as well -- he spoke at length about a range of other policy priorities.
During the campaign and since, this president has had more than his fair share of dirt thrown his way. And we in the Jewish community are not immune from this unfortunate preoccupation. It's fine to respectfully have policy differences, of course. But, after Monday's display of Obama's deep understanding and commitment to the priorities of the American Jewish community, let's finally take his words and actions at face value, and stop the whisper campaign. This president "gets" American Jews.
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Why are we preoccupied by Israel being a "Jewish state?" It's a country largely populated and run by Jews, isn't that enough? Why do we demand such a thing when we deplore and despise others, like the Islamic Republic of Iran, or even the Mormon state of Utah?
Why do we continue to use the Holocaust as an excuse for every violent act undertaken by Israel? It was over 60 years ago. Yes, never forget, but can't we move on? I don't see France referring to WWII every time it discusses policy with Germany. It just shouldn't figure in to current policy, and it has absolutely nothing to do with anything currently happening in Israel.
The truth is that these Jewish "fears" about Obama policies have been ongoing headlines since he first became a candidate. You know why he didn't need notes for that speech? Because he's given it about 100 times in the last 2 years. And yet the "Jewish community" still has reservations, probably simply because of his name and that he hasn't sung a song about blowing up Israel's supposed enemies.
Why does the Arab/Muslim world need to recognize Israel as a Jewish State, because the acknowledgement (both in statement and in act, by not continuing to teach your children that one day no Jews should live in the middle east) is the same as Israel's recognition of the Palestinian's right to self-determination. And in terms of the holocaust, it's the remembrance that not one country open it's borders to those refugees who tried to escape death that there needs to be one place Jews can always go.
Why is it only the Jewish people who have to justify their right to self determination? Why is it that Jews couldn't live in a Palestinian state once it is in existence? No one says Arabs and Muslims living in Israel would have to leave upon settling Palestinian statehood, is it unthinkable that a Jewish neighborhood could exist in Hebron,Palestine????
Thats whats so d@mned confusing... Its not like Catholics were born in Catholica.
Where did Jewish people come from? Are they really JEWISH? I dont know of Jewishburgh.
Can someone explain it to me?
Didnt they "settle" in Israel and kick out the indigenous Palestinians that had been there thousands of years longer??
Someone give me a quick briefing.. articles I look up are always biased on history!
OK, here goes. (I'm girding my loins here- ready for some haters.)
The original Jews were a group of tribes in the Middle East- pretty much where Israel, Syria, Iraq etc. are now. Over 5000 years ago (by the Jewish calendar if not for certain) they identified themselves as Hebrews or Jews.
They briefly had a Jewish state in what is now Israel, Jordan and Syria for a few hundred years. In 72 AD they were forced into exile by Babylonians, and they stayed in exile until 1948.
Between AD 72 and AD 1948, they were licked out and/or abused by every country where they wandered because they refused to convert to either Christianity or Islam, culminating in the Holocaust.
In the 1800 Zionism emerged with the idea among Jews that they needed their own country. Since the only one they ever had historically was Palestine, that's where a few pioneers went- and lived among the Palestinians, who resented this.
Because of their well documented history, and because after the Holocaust no country would take all the refugees, the United Nations granted them a state in Palestine. Wars ensued to this day.
That’s my two minute recap of 5000 years. Hope that helps.
BTW, I'm not knowledgeable enough but you should also ask "Who are the Palestinians?" to get the fuller picture.
it's always acceptable for Jews to segregate themselves and refer to their intense loyalty to each other.
Is it equally acceptable for other groups of people to do this??????
Wouldn't it be better for the truth of Israel's governmental policies to be on the table..........talk truthfully about the nukes, the wall, the occupation, the checkpoints, the bulldozing, the illegal settlement encroachment ~~~~ the rules, morals, ethics, whether he "gets" it or not should apply equally to ALL people. The emotional attachment many Jewish people have toward Israel should be separate from discussing the policies of the government. FAIRNESS, JUSTICE should overrule FAVORITISM.
Your free use of the the word Jew, to most of us non-Jews, deliberately attempts to paint with a broad brush all Jews as being in line together as one group, when that is absolutely not the case. The hard line Jews clearly supported Clinton while the Moderates supported Obama.
While I would fight to the death to protect the freedom of anyone to practice their religion, or not, the consequences of you and other Jews demeaning the Jewish faith by using it as a political tool is just as severe as what the Right has done to the word "Christian' .
Because of that abuse and Israel's incessant use of violence and freedom from any accountability for that violence by the US I and I believe millions of other voted for Obama precisely because we will NOT vote for anyone with an imbalanced bias towards Israel. I refused to vote for a great Democrat Representative precisely because Congress is already at the beck and call of Israel.
Words have consequences Mr. Harris.
When I hear the word "Jew" as a mother I can't help but see impoverished children and mothers living like beggars on the streets of Palestine while my tax dollars keeps them fat and healthy.
This American Jew wants to know, "Do American Jews get themselves?"
I.e., do they know what's good for them as Jews, consistent with what's good for them as Americans? Which is absolutely the same thing? Although many of us seem to think otherwise?
A two state solution is not only good for Israel, and good for Jews everywhere, including the United States. It is also good for all Americans, and everyone else in the world.
Oh, and one last thing. There are, ultimately, no viable alternatives, if Jews, American or otherwise, think that having a Jewish state at all is worthwhile.
Frankly, this American Jew is more than happy to be the citizen of a predominantly Christian nation. It became a more Christian nation, in the ways all Americans should care about, when we elected Barack Obama as President. And I hope it continues to become an even more truly Christian nation. And by Christian, I mean a Christianity that Jesus would recognize, and approve of.
You know, the simple stuff: Love thy neighbor. Do unto others. He who is without sin.
A truly predominantly Christian nation is one where all people, Christian and otherwise, would feel safe, and be safe, to raise their families and pursue their better dreams.
I dunno if he gets women, gays, or any other group.
Although I have not been thrilled with many of his positions since taking office, I so appreciate having a black man, a smart man, a man who can speak in genuine sentences,, that yes, I do forgive his increasing republicanism on some issues.
What did Spiro Agnew call us?
Effete nattering nabobs of negativism...
I think we are positive, and I think Obama is doing the very best the inheritor of what the Nixon/Ford/Carter/Bush/Clinton/Bush years left us with can do, so far.
Except for Afghanistan. And Don't Ask Don't Tell.
I like arugua, though i prefer beer to wine, and steak to tofu, but
What have you to say about that?
http://www.jpfo.org/index.htm
What I really want to know is does Obama "get" atheists or agnostics.