Why Isn’t Obama Visiting Israel?
Of course, on such a trip Obama could drop in on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to show his passionate desire for a Palestinian state and love of that people. Yet this might not be enough in his mind to counter the cooties picked up in Israel that would supposedly horrify Muslims and Arabs. Moreover, it would be embarrassing to go and hang out with a PA leadership that is now in partnership with Hamas.
4. The failure of his “peace process” policy to make any progress at all might make him want to stay away from reminding people of that fact. If anything, Obama set back Israeli-Palestinian dealings. Obama cannot come and take credit for some breakthrough.
I suspect that all of the above reasons are factors in his staying away. As with so many other subjects relating to this administration, it’s amazing that this issue is not being discussed and analyzed at all.
Note: It has been pointed out that other presidents have not visited Israel in their first term. The point here is that Obama has been aware that he has faced an unusually high level of criticism on the Israel issue and that he has lost some Jewish support. He has been eager to consolidate it in the face of a tough reelection race. Thus, from his own standpoint he has certain motives that might make him view a trip to Israel as beneficial. In addition, unlike other presidents who didn’t visit Israel in their first term, he has been next door three times in Egypt or Turkey yet chose not to include Israel.
Incidentally, when Vice President Joe Biden did visit Israel he used the occasion to engage in a very sharp and unjustified attack that violated a previous U.S. commitment (throwing a tantrum over a zoning board decision to move construction of some buildings one step down the line, though the administration had secretly agreed not to complain about Israeli construction in east Jerusalem in exchange for a nine-month Israeli construction freeze on the entire West Bank).
It is hard to imagine Obama deliberately placing himself in a position where his leadership qualities could be compared to those the Israelis routinely experience in their military. Perhaps he is afraid that the instead of adoring adolescents he will encounter amused adults, for some reason unimpressed with his wisdom and accomplishments.
It is a pity he does not visit Israel. One never has to guess how an Israeli feels about you. His pretentious entrance would proclaimed by derision and his exit marked by laughter. I wonder how the MSM would respond to a whole country ridiculing their creation.
Actually that could work to his favor as Chris Matthews, his alter-ego on MSNBC would spend days heaping scorn on those ‘ungrateful Jews’ (e.g. when he said on his show “someone needs to tell those people to stop interfering in our elections!”) as you know he would. This would play right into Obama’s plan. In either case, it’s not a complicated point. Obama doesn’t want to see Israel survive. His sense of Israel is no different than that of the Arab and Muslim world or the far left in the US which mistakenly, or intentionally, views Israel as a ‘white man’s colonial invasion of the indigenous peoples of the Mideast. But in what has to be a dark irony, his lead from behind nonsense is little different from Belgium’s ‘Benign Neglect’ colonial policy Obama purports to fight with every fiber in his body.
In his second book, Obama pitied both Israelis and Palestinians, but made them morally equivalent. I spelled that out here: http://clarespark.com/2009/09/11/oil-politics-and-obamas-view-of-israeli-history/. He already has the support of assimilated American Jews, why would he go to a country whose problems are alien to him?
This is how he treats Israel in his first term- if he is re-elected, the mask will drop.
He is a terrible President and I will never vote for him. The last four years have been the worst four years of the modern age. I have watched my country sink and shirk its responsibilities and I see a huge power vacuum our enemies seek to fill. Under Obama, Iran will get the bomb. I don’t care when Israel strikes Iran but let it be soon.
That was one helluva good question professor.
it’s far from silly to say obama hates israel and wants to destroy her.
wake up!
I agree!! Mr. Rubin has Obama’s rationale for Israel-avoidance pegged, except for that line. I would say Obama has a visceral hatred of Netanyahu – he glowers at him. And I would not say that it is silly at all to at least suggest that an immature narcissistic hard left, muslim-coddling man-child like Obama might also be a comitted Jew hater.
Let’s not make the mistake of ‘giving him more flexibility’ in a second term.
he is too cold-blooded to hate. He detests. moreover, as a muslim-educated person (i dare not say Muslim though his father is Muslim which makes him either a Muslim or an apostate) he rejects the very notion of the nation reviled by the “holy” Kur’an achieving sovereignty and power. As for his remarks as a visitor, lets chalk that up to Taquiyyah and know thine enemy, perfectly legitimate in warfare. But legitimize Israel with a formal visit? Not something the Vizier can do (The king is in Arabia)
Barry, I suspect that it is the same reason that Obama banned Lech Walesa from attending the White House ceremony honoring Jan Karski, while at the same time giving a medal to a life-long activist for the Democratic Socialists of America. It is also the same reason that Obama removed the bust of Winston Churchill from the White House and insisted that the British take it back. It is the same reason that Obama has traveled around the world apologizing for American arrogance and mistakes. It is Obama’s Worldview and his ideology. It is where his heart is at. Who was the first world leader than Obama called after he became President? I bet it was not the leader of Israel or the U.K.
It was Abbas! Kinda puts the icing on the cake, no?
Such a visit would be seen as clearly political, with little up-side. He’s already got the Muslim vote and most of the Jewish vote, with little likelihood of winning over more of the latter. And a visit at this late stage would raise the inevitable question: Why now?
Add to that the issue of “balance”. “Cooties” aside, he’d feel compelled either to meet the Palestinians as well (which makes the trip a wash) or the “usual suspects” – Turkey or Saudi Arabia – on the way out. A PA visit would be a security nightmare. And if he tried to meet both together, where would that take place, Jerusalem – which Obama thinks must be “shared”?
Finally, he’d expect the honor of speaking before the Knesset, where he could speak his “hard truths” to people that will live with the consequences of his naive policies, and MKs in the audience just dying to call him out on it.
Like I said, little upside.
Obama’s making a mistake. Jewish votes in Ohio, Florida, and Nevada could make a difference. However, an Obama trip to Israel would be seen as an extremely cynical ploy. I think Israel, and Americans who support Israel, have lots to worry about should Haman, er Obama, be re-elected.
I for one would love to see him go to Israel.
The whole venture would no doubt blow up in his face.
It would help ensure his defeat.
Notice that other than Nixon’s visit in 1974, no sitting Republican President visited Israel until 2008, and the latter visit was at the end of his second term, so pandering for votes was not needed. Also, the only two who visited near the election and who theoretically could have benefited were Clinton and Carter.
(R) George W. Bush visited once, at the end of his second term in 2008
(D) Clinton visited four times – in 1994, 1995, 1996, & 1998
(R) George Bush Sr. visited 0 times
(R) Ronald Reagan visited 0 times
(D) Jimmy Carter visited once in 1979
(R) Gerald Ford visited 0 times
(R) Richard Nixon visited once in 1974
(D) Lyndon Johnson visited 0 times
(D) JFK visited 0 times
(R) Dwight Eisenhower visited 0 times
For the last forty years American presidents have stood with Israel and urged Arab states to make peace with that country.
while organs of the administration executing policy, such as the State Dept., did everything passively possible to hamper the Israelis.
Just look at the mess the realists accomplished in Lebanon in 1983 by treating Israel in the manner they did and for which many in the region are still paying.
If Reagan stood with Israel he certainly had two clods in Baker (FtheJs) and Weinberger to give him the wrong advice.
It was pure theatre for the voters.
Of course he could go to Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq again since he’s been to all of those places…. Obama is right not to visit Israel, either during a first or second term. WE have a lot more in common in values with Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq then we do with Israel. As a staunch Democrat, I wish for an Obama second term, because Israel is anathema to our party. A second term Obama will be able to establish a detente with Iran, which he cannot do before the election
“WE have a lot more in common in values with Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq then we do with Israel.”
This is obviously a joke, right?
No, it’s no joke. Democrats DO have more in common with those repressive countries than with Israel.
As a woman, I can assure you that we have more in common with Israel.
Yes, you hate Western Civilization roughly as much as they do. The difference is, you’ve had the benefit of the American educational system, so you are at least well-enough informed to understand that which you wish to see wiped from the face of the Earth.
Then again, maybe not.
clear ether
eon
“A second term Obama will be able to establish a detente with Iran, which he cannot do before the election.”
Why can’t Obama establish this magical detente with Iran before the election? He’s had nearly 4 years to do it if he was going to do it.
And what would the terms of this detente be? If the Iranians had their way, I expect the terms would be that Israel completely disarm and its citizens all politely walk into the sea. Come to think of it, I would expect the Democrats to favor the exact same terms….
But will they dare to do so? Ah, the audacity of hope, Democratic Party style….
Corneliu, aka Căpitanul, you fascist anti-Semitic Romanian who thought Jews were polluting Romanian women, now that we know of whom you took your name from:
please understand that I mean this in the most respectful and the most polite of ways:
screw you.
“WE have a lot more in common in values with Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq then we do with Israel”
Without seeming to judge you, I assume when you say “WE have a lot in common with Egypt…” you mean WE, you and other the totalitarian leftists who think Stalin, Mao, Chavez, and other despots are heroes because they can implement their agendas through intimidation, thuggery, and out right terrorist fear. That is how Islam works and it is how the left in America would like it to be. It’s apparent that the NEW PARTY, Modern-Liberal Democrat wish the destruction of America. They are not fit to govern and it would be better to rescind their citizenship and send them ALL to Europe.
Here’s Israel’s coming squeeze play on Obama before the US election in November.
If Israel waits till after the US election, to deal with Iran, and Obama wins, most likely US forces will defend themselves, but will give little or no help to Israel.
If Israel attacks Iran before the election, Obama will be forced to help Israel or loose big support for the election.
Unless the election looks lopsided in favor of Romney, expect an Iran attack before November.
Do you understand the spiritual evil that makes you say those things. Prayer may halp you.
He is President of the US. He isn’t obliged to visit a terrorist state like Israel, but he has not financially cut off that parasitic nation, but many Americans wish he would.
Ike – have you ever read Islamic theological documents preaching Jew hatred? Islamic Jew hatred is an integral part of Muslim theology.
It isn’t about land. It is simply irrational hatred caused by religious dogma. (And the Jews are not Islam’s only target.)
Leftist fools earn their name by refusing to admit the reality of Islam. Are you one of them?
the imbecile who posted all that anti-semitic drivel is not American. just an arab with projectile pigsh*t spewing out of the twisted hole in his face.
Yes, I can see “progressives” like yourself, and The One, wailing rather like Henry II of England did re Thomas a’Becket;
Will no one rid us of these turbulent Jews?
That ended rather badly for Henry, you may recall.
clear ether
eon
Don’t you mean that it ended rather badly for Thomas a Beckett? After all, he was murdered as I recall….
Yes, but Henry ended up having to deny ordering it. Reginald Fitzurse & Co. just took him too seriously, he claimed.
In a very religious country, nothing says “I’m a farking idiot” quite like having the blood of an Archbishop on your hands, even at one remove.
cheers
eon
“parasitic nation” — and the Romanian “captain” above… What, is it raining anti-semites today? Were are these people coming from?
Ike, please see comment under Bob Smith, it was for you.
You make a good case for why Mitt Romney should visit Israel this summer. He could show how much he is liked by the Israelis, how well he gets along with Bibi Netanyahu; he could proclaim his support for Israel, and, as a bonus, get the whole “why hasn’t Obama gone to Israel” question back under discussion.
I think that would bad for two reasons:
1. It would be too transparently politicking, and owuld backfire.
2. Foreign policy is the prerogative of the President. IT does not belong to anyone else. We’ve already had way too many people taking it on themselves to go abroad and speak for the U.S. (Pelosi and a long list of Democrats come to mind.)
but Obama visited Israel as a candidate. are you saying that was bad?
personally, I’d love it if Rommey would visit Israel. but it’s ok with me if he waits until after he’s inaugurated.
seems to me that it is way beyond a lack of “warm feelings”.
I would call it hate and contempt. obama is fully in the mode of all leftist dictators through history. The only thing they think Jews are good for is to be the primary whipping boy to be used in their climb to power, and then the primary whipping boy to deflect their failures.
Even if he wasn’t a committed marxist, this would be true.
It’s ALWAYS true of tyrants. obama is nothing if not a typical totalitarian.
Mr. Rubin, you are not often wrong.
This time, you are wrong. VERY wrong.
Other than a belief in his own immaculate conception can anyone truly know what is going on in Obama’s mind? The only common thread seems to be his ego. Beyond that everything pales to insignificance IMHO.
No, Bob, the Marxist thread runs through everything he does. That includes hating Israel.
There’s actually a No# 5 reason why Obama won’t visit Israel….His core constituency, the Hollywood and media elites, hate Israel. Cozying up to Israel would alienate the financial core of his support. How would Bill Maher, Joy Behar, George Clooney, Harvey Weinstien, Oprah, etc….feel about a closer relationship between Obama and Israel? Michael Moore? Barbara Walters? Obviously these names are all over the map…and grossly sparse and a fraction of reality..but the point remains.
Obama won’t do or say anything that turns back progressive money, period. He’s a devout marxist…which means other people’s money is very, very important. Haven’t even touched on his friends in academia, like Bill Ayers…and of course, Rev Wright…two extremely reliable Israel haters….or the media…like his friends at MSNBC….Enemies of Israel, all.
No, Obama has much too much invested in domestic haters of the Jewish State, which represents the core of the progressive and Democrat cause…can’t afford to slow down the gravy train.
Would somebody please explain to me why American Jews hate Israel??
Israel embarrasses much of the non-Orthodox Jewish population because it interferes with their desire to become “like everybody else” and assimilate.
“Become like everybody else and assimilate” = be Americans in America and not hyphenated Americans.
From this comment, and others,Wes, it appears that you lack the cognitive competence to engage intelligently in this discussion. I would suggest you turn to Haaretz, a news source which would gladly profile you and your imbecilities. Here’s the quick response, Wes: You can be American and still be Jewish. Is that so hard to comprehend?
Ahhhh, Wes, me loutish boyo….Jews do not give a crap just what BHOandtheGANGSTERS think about Netanyahu. It probably does pain that this P.M. managed to construct an over 90+ Knesset coalition and is probably in for the duration of his term. Further, that it looks quite likely that he will still be in office in event THE BHO slithers in for another four years.
The question is: will WeThePeople still be here and still be free? Look to home first. You are quite correct, though, that it most certainly doesn’t require being a racist to think THE BHO is kind a jerk. Irrationally arrogant narcissist is more accurate.
BHOandtheGANGSTERS act deliberately not ineptly. Anti-American to the core. Axelrod is proud to say he is a communist (tv footage) and their closest supporters out there on the stump are pleased to display the Hammer&Fist of socialism and communism. And Glenn Beck named and pictured all the czars, related them all to hardcore leftist organizationns and positions, and nailed them with their own words in front of us all. And still does.
Finally, no one need ever forget the horror treatment THE BHO gave to the P.M. on that early visit to the WH. You don’t need more than that. It must pain THE BHO to recollect the incredible reception Netanyahu got before the U.S. Congress. O my……..
“And yet that’s pretty curious, isn’t it?”
No it isn’t. Not at all. Israel and the US, no matter how many people on the far right want it to be, are not synonomous.
“His personal distaste for Israel is so great that he doesn’t want to come here.” Yes, that personal distaste is so great that we are giving them more money than we have ever given before. He must really hate Israel.
Oh please. Who gives a s**t? The Israelis? The Israelis are the ultimate realists. They have already written off ‘The One We’ve Been All Waiting For’. They’ll survive. Obama won’t. the question remains, will we?
You can say anything you want to defend his hatred but, this president is making Jimmy “The Jew Hater” Carter look like a competent President. What a joke we have become to those who understand the meaning of the words “Rational Thought”.
If, God willing, we get rid of this pseudo-intellectual elitist ass, we will still have to deal with the socialists/marxists/maoists/oppressives/liberals(or whatever they’re calling themselves this week)who will be in full shrill cry about how racist a country this is and the indoctrination centers(public universities and schools)will be extra vindictive to any thought that is not approved by the thought police. Get your kids ready to attacked for loving their counrty.
“Get your kids ready to attacked for loving their counrty.”
Too late. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/school_silences_patriotic_song_xdunXcLPbE8S2rAEcZoUiP?utm_medium=rss%26utm_content=Local
A New York City principal, who is African American, has banned the signing of God Bless the USA (often known as “Proud to be an American”) because she says it “offends other cultures”. The same principal has asserted that there are too many white (Jewish) teachers and has pledged to hire more black teachers to balance things out.
He doesn’t want to go to Israel because he doesn’t speak Israeli.
Yes, but he is learning to speak Austrian.
Frankly, Barry…Obama doesn’t like Netanyahu at all and his dinners with Rashid Khalidi and the tape held hostage by the LA Times would very likely to contain explicit definitions of just how deeply he feels about Israel in general.
Ali Abuminah can probably tell you a little about his deeper feelings as well.
So could the late Edward Said.
We aren’t likely to get an accurate gauge before he gets whatever of that “Jewish money and support” he so desperately wants…but we may get a really, really, really good feel if he gets reelected. After patting Medevev’s knee and giving him the wink and the nod to go tell Vladimir how we can grovel a little more like we will become a client state of the Russians, (and a groveling debtor to the Chinese), our cards are not going to be placed face up until after November when it comes to the Middle East.
The small c communists here are not likely to get too cozy with the enemies of Israel who themselves are client states of the Russians and Chinese.
Obama not only has an antipathy toward Israel, he has an antipathy towards the US. He doesn’t like either of us much. Never has his entire adult life. Neither have ANY of his mentors, father figures, closest confidantes and those from whom he sought counsel and advice. Frank Marshall Davis, Jeremiah Wright, Robert Malley, Rashid Khalidi, Ali Abuminah, Samantha Power, Susan Rice, Valerie Jarrett, Edward Said, the radical professors at college, Don Warden, George Soros, …if you look at the people to whom he cleaved the entirety of his life…I wouldn’t hold my breath as an Israeli waiting for the warm and fuzzies coming from this administration.
He wants money and for the Jewish people to sit down, shut up, behave, don’t make waves.
From his perspective, so far, so good.
This is a president who has deserted friends and precipitated the Arab Spring which has led to the rapid rise of Islamic fundamentalism. Can you just picture Israel sitting back and letting Barack Hussein “have their back”?
…. Israel has had the A-Bomb 30 or 40 years.
. . . Iran is building their own A-Bomb and promises to wipe Israel off the map.
. . . .Has Israel developed HYDROGEN bombs (H-Bombs — 100 times more powerful).
Will an attack on Israel bring the first use of H-Bombs in war ? Will Israel feel compelled to absolutely destroy Iran, rather than leave the rattlesnake alive? What about countries controlled by Hamas, Hizbulloh, Syria, Muslim Brotherhood, al Q’Aeda, Turkey. This could be the start of World War III.
If Iran attacks Israel first with nuclear weapons the Israelis may well hit back with everything they have.
This was a timely and cogent article, Barry. Very much appreciated. I reside on a Yishuv in the Gush Etzion region now. From all that I can gather, Obama is on the ropes. I am betting that he’ll try to pull a fast one and attack Iran. If the win is decisive, his chances of re-election will multiply exponentially. Israel will not be forced into the fight, just to cover its backside (Gaza and Hamas; Lebanon and Hezbollah; some terrorist activities emanating from east of the Green Line and, perhaps, from within the Galilee). If there is no late attack and Obama loses, Israel will be in a much better position, strategically, to attack Iran. I think we are more and more weighted in the direction of understanding that we are compelled to take independent action, that international forces are not prepared to help and may even be prepared to hinder. As this understanding permeates, the left in Israel loses more and more of its power.
I don’t think Obama will dare to attack Iran. The Pentagon will tell him that Iran is three times bigger than Iraq and this is likely to badly, esp. as Russia sides with Iran. The American public is war-weary and hates the idea of another war, and that goes double for Obama’s base. Remember that Obama is running a rally-the-base campaign. I don’t think he dares to piss off his base that badly. He’ll rely on some less risky strategy, like massive voter fraud.
Maybe Obama doesn’t visit Israel because he thinks Netanyahu is kind of a jerk. It doesn’t require being an “anti-Semite” to think that just like it doesn’t require being a racist to think Obama is kind of a jerk.
Obama is a Muslim. It does not matter what he says, he will never be on Israel’s side.
Obama cares as much about Israel and the Jews as his very good friend Rashid Khalidi who supports the PLO charter which calls for the murder of 6000000 Jews.
It is all for the better. It could cost the state a fortune, embolden the imploded and decimated Israeli Left, stir the enraged crowds of agitators to go back on the streets like last summer, turn Israel into a prop for an American elections. it is no secret that Obama betrayed Israel’s greatest secrets and he and Bibi are no pals, so why bother? Who needs a street hustler loitering the Holy Land?
While it is silly to say that Obama hates Israel and wants to destroy it…
Please, not again. Or is this supposed to be some kind of a joke? Obama may not want to destroy Isreal, but it isn’t silly to say he hates Israel. Actually, it’s pretty silly to say he doesn’t. According to a poll taken a few years ago, while a large majority of Americans have a positive image of Israel, only 50% of democrat voters do. Generally the more on the left a Westerner is the more he or she hates Israel. Obama is not a moderate, he’s on the farthest leftist camp in the Democrat party. In addition he was influenced by and has ties to many extremely anti-Israel people, including the Ayers couple, revrend Wright, Rashid Khalidi, Samantha Power, George Soros and others. And you can see for yourself the way he treats Israel. He hates Israel just like most leftists do. And in his case there’s also the Muslim background – being born to a Muslim father and growing up in a Muslim country made him especially sympathetic to Muslims, and the Muslims hate Israel. How many far leftists with Islamic sympathies do you know who don’t hate Israel? I think his actions speak louder than words.
“Why Isn’t Obama Visiting Israel?”
Possibility of lightning strikes?
Mr Rubin, you are still a few centimeters behind the true nature of BHO and your distance error makes your article to miss the point.BHO is not hating israel BUT he will help the Muslim Brotherhood haters in Cairo and the shiites fanatics in Teheran to reach their goals. BHO will let Iran get the nuclear bomb and will let them use it against israel. Then he will weep like an alligator and pronounce a deeply moving eulogy of Israel.If you Mr Rubin is not fully aware of BHO duplicity, and covert strategy ( using iran as a proxy for his own BHO ‘s will of seeing israel destroyed ) then who can be lucid ? I hope Bibi Netanyahu will not wait anymore and will strike Iran a definitive blow . Then I want to hear the loud voice of BHO raising anger at Israel.
For what its worth, the layout is definitely wonderful. You know how you can balance writing and images/videos. Even so, I cant get over how little you really bring to light here. I believe that everyones said the identical factor that youve said over and over again. Dont you feel its time for some thing much more?