Jewish jitters about Obama and Israel

The secular anniversary of Israel's independence took place towards the end of this week, on May 14th 2010. Israel is 62 years young, and we pray for her continued safety and that she may achieve peace with her neighbors as soon as feasible.

Back in the US, on the web and in emails circulating among our brethren, there have been rumors that Obama is about to abandon Israel.

In response, a group of rabbis was invited for close meetings with the administration, as you can read in this article from the JTA.

I wrote a brief response to someone who emailed me saying that these rabbis were selected for their moderate views. I am not sure this should be a criticism, but that was how it seemed it was intended. What would be wrong with limiting the selection to moderate individuals? Moderates are in the center, and it is the center and moderation that must hold. The extremes only tear us all apart, and frankly, the right is more dangerous now than the left, and getting more so.

Here is my take on the article excerpted from my response to the sender of the email:

Thanks for referring this article to me. Please note the segment I have copied back to you, emphasizing that much material circulating on the internet and in emails is rumor mongering. Rumor mongering is not Obama's responsibility, but it is our collective responsibility. Sadly, I think too many Jews are unable to detach themselves enough from the rumor mill, and from their own longheld prejudices, including those based on race.

Obama has in his administration, Rahm Emanuel, a son of Israel, and Dennis Ross, who has a long record of peace-making on behalf of the US. These are good people.

On the flip side, we have a right wing government in Israel that is unwilling to deliver what the majority of Israelis believe is fair, that we work towards a 2 state solution, meaningfully.

Just as it was the case that most people wanted health care reform, but the senate could not bring itself to serve the will of the people, so it is in Israel - people in government block progress whenever they can.

You may not trust our president, while I do. I do not trust Nethanyahu, and this is based on his record. Too bad Ariel Sharon was struck down by a stroke at such a critical time for Israel. Sharon grew up and lived his entire life on the political far-right, before he came to grips with Israel's realities and turned to become a visionary for peace. Nethanyahu cannot fit into one of his shoes, never mind be the leader that Israel really needs.

So look at this quote from the article - it points to a big problem, and it is not a problem in the White house.

(From the article above)
Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt of B'nai Tzedek, a Conservative congregation in suburban Potomac, Md., said he felt it was especially incumbent upon the administration to explain its actions given the misgivings about Obama that had circulated in the Jewish community prior to his election, in an email-driven rumor campaign that described him as anti-Israel and sympathetic to Muslims.