Text 27806, 72 rader
Skriven 2007-03-13 22:20:00 av Jeff Binkley (1:226/600)
Ärende: Obama
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They just can't help themselves....

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http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0307/Obamas_Jewish_Problem.html

March 13, 2007

Obama's Jewish Problem




It's a hard thing to pin down, Barack Obama's Jewish problem. But in the halls
of the AIPAC Policy Conference yesterday, there was no denying that the members
of the pro-Israel group -- largely Democrats, though they tilt right -- feel a
real, if kind of inchoate, skepticism about the Illinois senator.

Now, an Iowa Democrat and AIPAC member, David Adelman, has written Obama a
letter asking for clarification of Obama's remark to the Des Moines register
that "nobody is suffering more than the Palestinian people," a statement
Adelman writes he found "deeply troubling."

Adelman, a Des Moines lawyer, said he had helped Mark Warner briefly, but is
currently undecided among the 2008 contenders.

But his letter brings to the surface a sentiment that's been circulating
largely on private email lists and in chatter about a posting on the
pro-Palestinian blog Electronic Intifada, which claimed (with little evidence)
that Obama was once on the Palestinian side. Several AIPAC attendees told me
that while Obama is "saying the right things," they don't think his heart is in
it. (A high bar, perhaps.) The sentiment is nowhere near universal in the
pro-Israel, or Jewish, communities, but concern is pretty widespread.


Still, Obama has no shortage of prominent Jewish supporters, and AIPAC's
leadership has nothing but praise for the Illinois Senator.

"He has a strong record of support from his time in the Senate on issues of
importance to the pro-Israel community," said AIPAC spokesman Josh Block, who
praised Obama's "well-received" Chicago speech on the subject.

Adelman's full letter is after the jump.



Dear Senator Obama,

 I am writing to express my concern with your comments in yesterdays Des Moines
Register (Up-close Obama urges compassion in Mideast; He backs loosening
restrictions on Palestinian aid).

As an Iowan, democratic precinct caucus attendee, and leader in Iowas Jewish
community, I am greatly concerned about the situation in the Mideast and your
views on this matter.

I find your statement in yesterday's Des Moines Register that "nobody is
suffering more than the Palestinian people, deeply troubling. I would greatly
appreciate a response clarifying your statements.


The Palestinian people democratically elected their leadership, part in which,
Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States and the
European Union. It fails to recognize the right of Israel to exist and
encourages terrorist attacks against innocent Israeli Jews, Christians and
Arabs.

Again, I respectfully ask for clarification on what you believe needs to be
done to bring peace to this region of the world.

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