Obama at AIPAC: Some Doubts Eased, Others Created

As is their wont, hard-line supporters of Israel have been pushing Barack Obama quite hard. He is, to them, an unknown commodity with questionable ties. Progressive Jewish opinion, on the other hand (and Arab Americans, as well), finds Obama appealing both because of his messages of hope and change and, specifically, because of comments he has made that indicate openness to a more nuanced discussion of Arab-Israeli peace-making. They latched on to, for example, comments he made to Jewish leaders in Cleveland on February 24th, where he appeared to reject identifying being pro-Israel with "adopting an unwaveringly pro-Likud view of Israel," and his statement to a Jewish reporter that "in order to make progress in Arab-Israeli talks...both sides should be held accountable to previous agreements."

There was, therefore, keen interest in how Barack Obama would address these concerns in his remarks before AIPAC's policy conference today. For the most part, his speech pushed all the "right" buttons. It included a personal narrative that connected his story with that of the Jewish people, including his uncle's role in the World War II liberation of a concentration camp at Buchenwald, and the larger narrative of the historic bonds between the African American and American Jewish communities based on a shared commitment to liberal values and forged in the American civil rights movement.

In addressing matters of foreign policy, the nub of the matter for AIPAC, Obama did his fair share of genuflecting and oath-taking, most of which is expected before an AIPAC audience that insists upon such displays. But, on the whole, Obama's speech was less troubling than many others delivered before AIPAC, and contrasted favorably with the AIPAC "talking point" litany delivered one hour later by Senator Clinton.

He was properly tough on Iran, but correctly took on John McCain's refusal to criticize the central role that the debacle in Iraq has played in destabilizing the Middle East while emboldening Iran and extremism. He repeatedly emphasized the need for principled diplomacy as the way to move forward. He smartly contrasted his commitment to peace-making with the neglect of the Bush administration by pledging active involvement in the search for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, and Israel and Syria, and noting the responsibilities of all parties in the Middle East to contribute to that process. He specifically called on Israel to "take appropriate steps -- consistent with its security -- to ease the freedom of movement for Palestinians, improve economic conditions in the West Bank, and to refrain from building new settlements." He urged support for Palestinian President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad, and emphasized that "Palestinians need a state that is contiguous and cohesive, and that allows them to prosper."

"Most Israelis and Palestinians want peace," Obama noted, "we must strengthen their hand. The United States must be a strong and consistent partner in this process -- not to force concession, but to help partners avoid stalemate and the kind of vacuums that are filled by violence."

If he had stopped there, it might have been an acceptable speech to all sides, but he went further, including a deeply troubling reference to Jerusalem which he said "will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided." Left unexplained, this was both unnecessarily provocative and contradictory. If the U.S. is not to "force concessions," then why predetermine the status of Jerusalem, one of the more sensitive and complicated issues in the negotiations, in a speech to AIPAC? And if Palestinians need a state that is "contiguous," "cohesive" and "prosperous," how does that occur when one has cut the heart out of the center of the West Bank? (Note: it has been a Palestinian position that Jerusalem can "remain the capital of Israel" and can "remain undivided" as long as that does not preclude the Palestinians from also having their capital in a "shared" city.)

The AIPAC audience may have cheered, but Arabs, who called me from East Jerusalem, where they were watching the speech on TV, were deeply disheartened, as were Israeli peace activists with whom I spoke.

Better than McCain? Of course. More thoughtful than his predecessors? Clearly. But for those who have embraced Obama's "change we can believe in" slogan, a few doubts have now crept in.

Comments

[Mojane]

I was extremely troubled by some of his statements, too....the Jerusalem as capital of Israel, but more to his statements regarding Iran. I had hoped Obama would avoid the popular rhetoric of making Iran the big monster in the region impeding peace in the region, harboring hostility and terrorists, blah, blah. It was pandering. There is too much known about present day Iran and also our shameful history with them beginning with our puppet Shah, ousting an elected man for us to continue this saber rattling. Iran is the only pleuralistic nation in the region, and we seem bent on destroying it? We in this country are so incredibly ignorant.

[V4Vigilance]

"...including a deeply troubling reference to Jerusalem which he said 'will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided.'"

(Note: it has been a Palestinian position that Jerusalem can "remain the capital of Israel" and can "remain undivided" as long as that does not preclude the Palestinians from also having their capital in a "shared" city.)

WAIT A SECOND, JAMES... Am I hallucinating or did you in the span of a single paragraph state that what Obama said regarding Jerusalem was BOTH "deeply disturbing" AND entirely consistent with a stated Palestinian position on Jerusalem?

That's what happens when knee-jerk reactions encounter "a more nuanced discussion". Old habits die hard. How do you, or the people you describe as "deeply disheartened", know that Obama wasn't acknowledging the Palestinian position you note rather than parroting some AIPAC talking point?

[xxnounxx]

another thing i have not heard one of these candidates praise anything called muslim,or arab,as if america's poplation and voters are isreali's or jews.
is this not an insult to arab-americans??
when they fight over wether obama is muslim or not,and start the deffence,as if being an arab or muslim,is l,ike being a NAZI.
what a disgusting mentality.
i think all arab-americans should not vote for any of them,wether those arab americans are muslim or christian,after all its not only the muslim plestinians suffering in palestine,the christians are too.

[booksnmore4you]

Israel is not the 51st State.

[Dailyfare]

Amen. A friend - yes. Strategically important - yes. But I'm looking for the person who will be good for the United States. Period.

[biggurl]

*bump* you would think so from this behavior, eh?

[elcojonu]

Not ' officially '; but we know better, don't we.

[phipho]

So much for the new politics of change. Sounded like old fashioned pandering to me.

[JackLivigni]

Well when you endure a year of people calling you a secret muslim, an ally of Hamas, and other stupidities, it behooves a candidate to clarify as much as possible their position regarding Israel, since, in fact, Jews are a very important segment of the electorate.

[NTO08]

As other minorities are not neolitihic in their stands on issues, so American Jews aren't either...we usually only get opinions of conservative Jews in the media.

[Chuckwheat]

In other words, "suck up."

[LeftLeanWing]

Wouldn't expect you to find much to like after all you consider all Obama supporters as Obamabots.

Sorry your candidate lost; however.........

[jadez]

the world does not revolve around israel.

it is not the most important factor to the people of America.

Obama will have a fair policy in the middle east.

stop making this one issue more than it is.

[cliveohclive]

Does it appear that American foreign policy is being made in Tel Aviv?

[elcojonu]

It has as far as Middle-Eastern Policy is concerned, for a very long time.

[Foohog]

I live in the midwest. Can someone, anyone, please explain what my strategic interest is in Israel, who posseses more than enough nukes to defend themselves?

[MsLiz]

Don't you want the Rapture to come?

Eh, me neither.

[Foohog]

The last time I was interested in rapture, it involved Debbie Harry and my journey through puberty, but that's another story.

[mcfried]

Add me to the list.

[Shozen]

But what if the Rapture occurs and it's just the Fundamentalist Wing nuts who get left behind?

[tempus]

Well, Israel probably won't supply you with better hogs, Foohog.
But, in an area where we will spend two trillion trying to keep the oil spigot open, having an ally is a good thing. In any event, all the cash we send to Israel comes back as expenditures on defense, making American defense contractors happy.
Finally, if you are one of the preachy, moralistic holier than thou spouters about helping other people who are threatened with genocide around the world, then take a look at the statements made by the Arab countries surrounding Israel, and ANSWER YOU OWN F>>ING QUESTION!

[ShoshanaNY]

Well said.

[elcojonu]

Israel has nukes and a capable Army; they ought to be able to defend themselves on their own, it's been 60 years; why don't they ?
You don't see the U.S. financially holding up Ireland, Italy, etc.(countries with a larger number of representatives in the General U.S. Population than Jews); why the discrimination ?
If you want to have a country, you better make sure you can hold on to it on your own; enough of welfare payments(in Euros no less), we're BROKE and in HEAVY DEBT.

[JackLivigni]

Zogby says:

----- Note: it has been a Palestinian position that Jerusalem can "remain the capital of Israel" and can "remain undivided" as long as that does not preclude the Palestinians from also having their capital in a "shared" city. ----------

O-bama may not have expounded on details about what it means for Jerusalem to remain "undivided", but immediately following his statement he said:

"I have no illusions that this will be easy. It will require difficult decisions on both sides."

Clearly, O-bama is seeking for a compromise that both sides can get behind. It is understandable that the USA does not have a strong aura of credibility among Palestinians, but we should let new leaders try before pouncing with innuendo regarding a supposed lack of good will.

[kyunschooler]

So far this comment is the most on-the-money that I have seen here.

It seems frequently that Obama has made a statement that people with certain biases jump on with a spin related to their biases, and later as Obama clarifies, it seems they have misinterpreted the remarks. I believe it is inevitable for most human politicians to fail to be completely clear to every single audience when they are communicating, and instead of judging, a more appropriate response would be to request clarification, as in "are you saying. . .?" And give the man a chance to respond before becoming "disheartened".

As to pandering, I didn't see his speech as pandering, any more than his use of Christian flyers in KY was pandering. He has had vicious email attacks that have misrepresented him to the Jewish community, (I've seen some of them sent by a friend of mine) and he has to strongly define his views on things like his Christian faith and his positions on Israel. It's part of the problem someone who has not been totally introduced to the voters has to deal with, and it seems to me he is dealing with this the best that anyone can.

[cosmic]

"We don't do innuendo well in American politics" --Barack Obama

Reading this I am eased about the one statement in the AIPAC speech that was bugging me: the Jerusalem reference. It now sounds to me like he pounded that note the hardest because it is the biggest point of compromise that both sides will make! If this is a pander, then it's a damn clever one since the other side already agreed to it!!! I'm glad to see that Obama is a step ahead of things - he usually is. GO OBAMA!

[Horst]

As the UN's 2002 Arab Development Reported stated poor education, despotic regimes and pervasive corruption are the main problems they face. They are now facing a demographic time bomb with legions of young people growing up in an environment with the highest unemployment rate in the world. Blaming everything on Israel....the one viable and successful state in that benighted region....is a mistake. Until the recent spike in oil prices the Arab League (22 countries) had the same combined GDP as Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg...pretty sad.

[kohoutek]

Oh please. Israel could start showing some good faith with America, which has guaranteed its security, by reining in the insane settlers, for instance. This is a one-way alliance, and to be honest, I could really care less about Israel. They can take care of themselves and go it alone if they want to keep dragging down the US in the Middle East.

And this has nothing to do with anti-Semitism. It's called realpolitik. I have nothing against the Jewish people. But the state of Israel is not a good-faith ally.

[CalexenderJ]

Talk about being between a rock and hard place. A couple days ago Obama wasn't pro-Israel enough, and now he's too pro-Israel.

Obviously with such strong positions the various sides of this issue, he's not going to please everyone. Hopefully though, his underlying ideals of compromise, bringing people to the table, and reconcilation, is what he can emphasize throughout his campaign for the presidency.

[tempus]

Don't worry, Mr. Zogby.
Obama campaign operatives have already reassured Hamas, and he has made a series of statements over the years indicating his anti-Jewish and "pro-Palestinian" leanings. You won't be disappointed should he become President, I believe.
He will agree with your view that the tiny state of Israel -- born with UN sanction, and attacked incessently ever since by racist Arabs who hate Jews and all things Jewish-- should be reduced to either nothing or as close to nothing as possible. HEIL IRAN! (If the Arabs and Persians can work out their mutual hatred and the religous schisms that they have held against one another for a thousand years.)
BTW, for about 5,000 years, Jews have toasted to their capital in Jerusalem every Passover. I suppose you think that the Arabs should build a wall around it and, like Mecca and the WHOLE COUNTRY OF SAUDI ARABIA, exclude the Jews from it. That's the way that the Jordanians handled it when they had control.
"Shared" indeed. The only country in the Middle East where power is shared between Arabs and Jews is Israel, where Arabs are allowed to vote and be represented in the legislature. In Arab countries, Jews are reviled, and tortured, according to the "enlightened" Arab practices with which we have become in this country are all too famaliar.

[ChristiB]

Feel good spreading hate and lies?

Guess you're unable to have an intelligent dialogue.

[Elliott32]

First off, Zionism is racism. Second, Israel is a quasi-theocracy, quasi-apartheid state. It's not a democracy like Germany, Brazil, Canada or even Mexico for non-Jews, despite some Arab representation in the Knesset. Third, it's past the time of a two-state solution: Israel, one state, three religions (freedom of religion) is the only answer. And lastly, America is so weakened internationally because of the neocons and their biased policy towards Israel the mess in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Russians and Chinese have gained much more influence in the region and in 50 years, America won't be the lone superpower to enforce a double-standard nuclear policy on the region without engaging the other world super powers. Israel has 200 warheads, so why can't Iran? China and Russia are arming Iran right now and building their nuclear reactors BECAUSE, the Chinese and Russians cannot let America control Gulf oil resources necessary for their national security and economical development.

Obama WILL NEVER be able to satisfy the neocons who want all Arabs/Palestinians/Persians DEAD unless they submit to Israeli's nuclear supremacy.

Final thought:

If Obama doesn't listen to Carter and Brezinski, he be the first and worst black president. Don't let the world down Obama. Be fair and balanced seeking peace in the Middle East.

Obama/Clark or Obama/Hagel '08

[edtastic]

I see you just think Arabs are racist agianst Jews and that is how all these problems originated. That is absurd and completly contrary to the history of the region. Before Israel there were hundreds of thousands of Jews living in Arab countries. Jews were living peacefully in Israel with there Arab, Muslim, Christan neighbors. The European Jews that came to colonize Israel destabalized the region for 60 years. They are still destablizing the region. There was not a problem with terrorism, Muslim extremism, ethnic and religion hatred before Israel. Israel was a bad colonial experiment. You have to get your head out of the propaganda and into the reality. People just dont do stuff for no reason. There is a cause and effect, dont just assume the cause is the people you dont like are evil and the ones you do are good. Thats George Bush thinking and it dont get no where.

[cheforacle]

As an American Jew who loves Israel I find your mendacious rant offensive, misleading and dangerous. Neither Israel nor America nor the greater Middle East is served by your lies.

[xxnounxx]

stop spreading lies,jews are not a nation,it is a religion,what gives them the right to claim 5000 it was theirs..the people of pakestine are cannanites,who some embraced judaism since prophet abraham migrated form ur.
isreal is one of the 12 jewsih tribes |( as we call qabilah))
god did not create man as jew,adam was not a jew..how about the palestinians,they can say its our land from 6000 yrs and back,wha you going to say about that.

the best treatment the jews from all over the world got was under islamic rule in spain,when they where being prosecuted by the rest of the world.
then after you were thrown out or forced to convert by the christians,when isabela and ferdinand took power.

so be quite and stop spreading mythical LIES.

[MagisterLudi]

xxnounxx posted "the best treatment the jews from all over the world got was under islamic rule in spain."

Funny stuff.... Never let reality interefere with a good story, eh habibi.xnounxx expressed this M.O. admirably.
A central weakness of modern pre-Enlightenment Muslim civilization evident right there in that comment.

[maddie0001]

Why exactly is AIPAC so important? Does AIPAC represent the opinion of the majority of Jewish people or do they just claim to? Exactly what would happen if AIPAC got mad? Take a look at Israeli newspapers and AIPAC is far to the right of public opinion, would American Jews fall far to the right of the Israeli public?

[MsLiz]

Money? If you do not vote their way, they will contribute to your opponent in the next election?

[robinhood2]

When 18 year old Jewish young men are drafted to fight against Iran, AIPAC may not be as popular as it is now.

[PuppaX]

AIPAC is to the right of most American & Israeli Jews. Most Jews (in my opinion and experience) agree that sitting down at the table and actually caring to hear what other people have to say is more important than getting every item on the checklist right.

Unfortunately, it seems like people who want to shake hands never shout as loud as people who want to clench fists.

[antenna123]

Thank you for this excellent post Mr. Zogby.

[cosmic]

you are welcome

[LannyMacD]

The fact that no one was completely happy with the speech means it was right on the money. Obama could have easily paid lip service and kept the Jews in the audience happy. Instead he spoke to all parties as adults and set out reasonable expectations for all to think about. He was right to drag Jerusalem into the discussion as this will be a sticking point for all involved. Lets get everyone thinking about it early, and have them come to the table with potential solutions, not just a bunch of whining and crying.

[antenna123]

not too sure about your premise. AIPAC seemed very happy, chering and giving him standing ovations.

[cosmic]

I agree. The main point of this article is that the Jerusalem thing was a pander - then he says Palestine already agreed to it! Hmm, this is a wash, score another for Obama.

By the way, AIPAC claps anytime anyone says anything even slightly pro Jewish. That's how they are.

[bill750]

HuffPost's Pick

As an independent Jewish voter, I was quite pleased with Obama's remarks. I read every word of his speech and I believe he leaves no doubt as to his staunch support for Israel and his willingness to back up diplomacy with whatever it takes to get the job done. Obama is a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but one thing he is NOT is stupid. I really wanted to vote for McCain but when he began to pander to the religious fanatics and to embrace the failed ideas and programs of what is arguably the worst administration in modern history, I started looking at Obama. Now he has my vote and will get my contributions - enthusiastically. BTW, I'm not one of his college kid worshipers, I'm a 64 year old Jewish man who works on Wall Street and a true Independent that votes for the person, not the party.

[JonSmiley]

Why the attachment to Israel? Should your loyalty not lie with this country rather than Israel?

[LeftLeanWing]

.

Think Vatican City / Rome and then Think the WIde World of Catholics.

[ProudNeoCon]

He is not stupid. Neither was Hitler (I am NOT saying that Obama is Hitler). It does not mean he will not end up a disaster for Jews... Do not be fooled by his recent speaches. Go and do your research on who his advisors are and who were his advisors before he came to the Senate. Add to that the church he chosen. For me it does not add up to Obama being friend of Jews....

He is smart, but smart person can be hostile to Jews as well...

[cosmic]

good man. I applaud you. To your health!

[Insideout143]

Bravo! Independent minds do occasionally think alike. Obama is not only very intelligent, he has common sense and integrity, and a tremendous ability to find common ground.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

Great points. I think he knows more about Israel and the Middle East than anyone thinks. I have no problem with his stance on Jerusalem even though it is very pro-Israel because the Israelis have always done a great job opening the city to everyone while maintaining security for everyone. The last thing Israel needs to do is partition the city so we get the mess we have in Gaza.