Look Who's Coming To Dinner

Wait - Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, is coming to the Ramadan dinner hosted tonight by President Barack Obama?

After reading this in Talking Points Memo, I paused to make sure I read it right.

There's nothing surprising about the now-annual tradition of a White House Ramadan dinner; started by President Bill Clinton and continued in George W. Bush's White House, this practice has become a thoughtful but regular part of the calendar in Washington. But Israel's ambassador joining representatives from numerous Arab and Muslim countries to break the Ramadan fast?

I believe that such a powerful gesture breathes new life into the words Obama gave voice to in Cairo, but more on that in a bit.

It actually makes great sense for Israel's representative to have a seat around the Ramadan dinner table. Israel is home to well over a million Muslims, and it's a country - unlike those around it - that provides real religious freedom. While many of the world's Muslims may not know it, the Jewish State actually funds many mosques and the printing of Korans. So when viewed in this light, Ambassador Oren's presence is completely kosher.

The president and this administration of course know this, and extending this invitation is a public recognition of these facts. More importantly, Israel's unprecedented inclusion in such an event reflects Obama's ultimate vision of inclusiveness - and it presses representatives of Arab states to sit and break bread with Israel's ambassador. Let's face it; ambassadors from some Arab states were probably not too thrilled to learn that Israel was joining in on a big night with the president. The White House is clearly demonstrating its commitment to stand by first principles, including advancing the cause of peace.

So how does a simple dinner invitation help bring the president's Cairo address to life? Let's take a look back.

In Obama's landmark Cairo speech, he proposed pressing the proverbial "reset button" on the relationship between the United States and the world's Muslims. The president suggested that by focusing on mutual respect and through listening to one another, we could begin our relationship anew. And elsewhere in that same speech, the president spoke eloquently about the need to pursue peace between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world. He also talked clearly about the U.S.-Israel relationship, asserting again - for all the world to hear - that "America's strong bonds with Israel are well known," adding that "this bond is unbreakable."

Inviting Oren gives further life to these words.

The White House is reminding the Arab and Muslim world that Oren represents a country that is home to many Muslims, and which provides religious freedom to many more. And as the president said in Cairo, there is both a hope and an expectation that all sides can break bread together in an atmosphere of mutual respect. And most importantly, the administration will use each opportunity to bring the parties together.

To the vocal minority of American Jews who have concerns about Obama when it comes to Israel, I say the same thing I would say to American Muslims who have their own concerns that this president is too close to Israel: re-read the Cairo address, as it will continue to serve as a roadmap for this administration. And that's good for America, good for Israel, and good for the Muslim world as well.

Follow David A. Harris on Twitter: www.twitter.com/NJDC

Comments

[babaann]

Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called "The Children of God".

[MGarin]

So would you rather be a Arab in Israel or a Jew in an Arab country?

[Ardeschier]

Mr. Harris, you mentioned "religious freedom" that israel grants the moslems inside israel couple of times in your aricle. does that include the palestinian families in the east jerusalem that israel forces them out of thier homes and gives the houses to the jews?

[KristianTheConqueror]

While I agree that it is a good idea for the Israeli ambassador to be at this dinner, I would disagree with the assertion that Israel is a nation "that provides real religious freedom."

Given that the Muslims living in the west bank and in west Jerusalem are routinely discriminated against by Jewish settlers while Israeli officials stand idly by, I would say that Israel's distinct bias against Palestinian Muslims demolishes any right to claim "religious freedom."

However the caveat here is that, while Israel is hardly a model of religious tolerance, it is still better than any of the other nations in the region. In my personal opinion, all of those nations (and a good portion of this nation for that matter) need to abandon the notion of pushing their beliefs on those around them. Then perhaps the Israeli Ambassador could come to dinner without raising eyebrows.

[shotei]

Palestinians are not Israeli nationals and they do have religious freedom. The problems of the occupation are complex and they are many, but they do not include problems with the freedom of religion.
Israel, on the other hand, safeguards religious freedom as a basic right. Muslims can go to mosques, Christians have free access to Churches and Jews can also profess their faith.
Now, I'd like to ask, how are Copts treated in Egypt? Christians in Sudan? Jews in Iran?

[lamberton]

I saw Ambassador Oren for the first time on GPS, where Fareed Zakaria asked his usual smart and direct questions. I found the Ambassador the most measured, and hence credible, Israeli spokesman in my memory.

[freemind1234]

It is good thing. People must start talking before they can ever solve problems. There is a very right wing government in Israel with even more radical right wing coalition partners. But everybody must start talking about the disagreements, such as settlements, roadbloaks, borders and so forth.

[KristianTheConqueror]

It should be noted that yelling your position at the people you disagree with so loudly that you cannot hear what they are saying does not qualify as talking. Neither does sticking your fingers in your ears when the other aggrieved party takes their turn to speak.

Rockets, invasions and attacks fall into the first category.

The pitiful excuse for diplomacy between Israel and the other nations in the region is generally filed in the second category.

[misaacm]

If the Saudi Ambassador shakes Oren's hand it will be a major breakthrough. If not, it will show that Obama is wasting his time trying to make a peace deal with the Arabs, they aren't ready yet. Mr. Harris, please report back after the dinner