Obamessiah Hits the Holy Land
Israelis liked what they heard from the Democratic presidential candidate during his whirlwind visit. They just hope they can believe it.
Traditionally, every visitor to Israel’s Western Wall folds a note in one of the cracks between the stones. On the note — their deepest desire, their most fervent wish, an express mail delivery to a higher power.
What will Barack Obama write on his scrap of paper?
While the answer seems obvious, after his jam-packed Wednesday in Israel — on the heels of Afghanistan, Iraq, and Jordan — it appeared that the jet-lagged Democratic presidential hopeful truly wished for was a nap.
When Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu asked how Obama was feeling at their meeting, the senator confessed “I could fall asleep standing up.”
While Obama’s itinerary was as high-level and his security as tight as the visit of any White House resident, his actual arrival was anything but presidential. He touched down after 11 PM Tuesday night, fresh from his visit to Jordan. No official honor guard is appropriate for someone not (yet) a head of state — so the arrival was ceremony-free. The news coverage of his visit was minimal that evening; the story was bumped down till rather late on the news, overshadowed by the shocking copy-cat attack by a Palestinian tractor driver in Jerusalem (yards from Obama’s hotel) earlier in the day.
The timing of the attack gave Obama the opportunity to get down to the purpose of the trip as soon as he arrived: reassuring Jewish voters in pivotal states like Florida that he will stand by Israel as staunchly as his predecessors when elected.
The attack is “just one more reminder why we have to work diligently, urgently and in a unified way to defeat terrorism,” Obama told his travelling flock of reporters at a darkened Ben-Gurion airport. “There are no excuses.”
The news coverage as his visit began was as much about the Obama phenomenon as it was about his attitude towards Israel: focused on the massive press entourage of more than 100 reporters and the close attention being paid to his trip in the United States. Not that the locals were immune. As commentator Aluf Benn noted in Haaretz:
“Not since Yitzhak Rabin’s funeral has Israel hosted as many senior officials from abroad as it has this year. There was U.S. President George W. Bush (twice), German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. And yet, the visit by presumptive U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama, who landed here for a lightning stay last night, has aroused more interest than any of them. Even more than Carla Bruni.”
Obama woke to a hot muggy Wednesday, typical for an Israeli summer. His breakfast at the King David was reportedly smoked salmon and cheese shared with Defense Minister Ehud Barak (no word on whether bagels were served). This was followed by his brief meeting with Netanyahu, who told reporters after his meeting that their talks focused on “the need to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.”
“The senator and I agree that the primacy of preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power is clear,” he said.
Netanyahu conveniently didn’t mention whether the two men discussed how to prevent such an eventuality. It is rather doubtful they would have agreed as easily on that point.
Obama was then whisked off to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and donned a white yarmulke for a wreath-laying ceremony at the Hall of Remembrance that is a hallmark of nearly any official visit — and a key reassuring photo opportunity for those Jewish voters still troubled by the anti-Semitic rantings of Obama’s former spiritual mentor, Reverend Wright.
The visit was followed by a sit-down with President Shimon Peres in a pastoral setting under a group of trees.
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Allison Kaplan Sommer is PJM's Tel Aviv editor
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25 Comments
1. B Dubya:You may be shocked to find what his note says.
Jul 23, 2008 - 10:28 am 2. Big Ben:Remember, this is the man who sat in Reverend Wright’s church for 20 years, listening to an unending diatribe of racism and anti-jewish rants, and who was able to do so without feeling any discomfort at all. This is the man who thinks so highly of Louis Farakan and his moveement that he counts him as a personal friend and continues to employ his disciples on his campaign staff.
This is the man who is farther left than another American Democrat, Jimmy Carter, who hides his own rank anti-semitsm behind the same kind of high sounding rhetoric, but who did every thing he could do as President to aid the Arab states against Israel.
How far can you spit? That’s farther than you should trust this pol, if you are Jewish and an Israeli.
Obama’s Western Wall Note;
Dear Lord;
I come before You as a humble descendant of my Ancestors, who distinguished themselves in varying cultures but shared the common goal of attempting to improve the lives of Your children.
First, allow me to confess to You, the Knower of all things and the thoughts in t he inner recesses of the heart. Since I was old enough to formulate thoughts, You know my overriding ambition in life was to become President of the United States; not just Prsident, but the ONE, the leader who ushers mankind into a new Age, a progressive era where religious,racial and ethnic differances melt away as we evolve into a new race of humans.
Jul 23, 2008 - 11:58 am 3. rotwang:An era where all of Your children’s needs will be attended to, where greed, avarice and profit will be eliminated, together with artificial national borders.
Please Lord, shime Thy countenance upon me and grant me the wisdom to say the right things so that my present fellow countryman may elect me; and continue to guide my Journey so that I may fulfill the destiny accorded me by Fate and that I might suceeed where others have failed; To be the One to unite all of mankind under my loving rule.
And first and foremost, please keep the Media in my tank.
With gratitude,
Your servant THE ONE, a/k/a, Barack,(formerly, Barry).
If I’m not mistaken, John McCain is at a mall-opening today. Or, maybe it was clog-dancing festival. Can’t recall.
Jul 23, 2008 - 1:04 pm 4. The Wizard:Once again, the Obama mouth says anything the current audience wants to hear. Problem is, he can deliver zlich. The man is making me ill. He is a charlatan, hypocrite, racist, elitist and hubris. He will destroy America.
Jul 23, 2008 - 3:00 pm 5. Mary in LA:Rotwang, John McCain has already been to Iraq, several times. (Dunno about Israel, though.) Also, he’s spent rather more time in Vietnam than Obama has.
As for his travel plans today, according to Drudge, he was supposed to visit an oil refinery in the Gulf, but he got pre-empted by Hurricane Dolly. Can’t blame him for opting out of that one.
Jul 23, 2008 - 5:19 pm 6. Believer:Columnist Lapid said about Obama, “…he won’t lie to us…”
Wanna bet? He does it all the time. Here’s one especially for you from the Holy Land:
“…you don’t have to just look at my words, you can LOOK AT MY DEEDS. Just this past week, we passed out of US Senate Banking Committee, WHICH IS MY COMMITTEE, a bill for divestment from Iran, as a way of ratcheting up the pressure to ensure that they don’t obtain a nuclear weapon.” (emphasis mine)
It’s not HIS committee, nor is he even a member of it. Michelle Malkin has the link to Patterico’s site that has video as well.
I hope everyone who plans to vote looks at this man’s words and deeds. Not an ounce of integrity to any of it.
Jul 23, 2008 - 6:27 pm 7. mjk:John McCain has been to Israel a few times too.
But since he can’t cure lepers and give sight to a blind man, I guess it doesn’t count.
Jul 23, 2008 - 9:48 pm 8. Kitchen Interior Design - Tips And Ideas - ReposeLive - repose live:[...] Obamessiah Hits the Holy <b>Land</b> [...]
Jul 24, 2008 - 12:01 am 9. Stella:Last night, Boston Herald writer Margery Eagan said in her column of the media’s affliction with Obama-mania: “People want to believe in hope.”
I find this an ultimately sad commentary on our mindset as a people. Yes, we want to believe that our candidates possess attributes of character, including hope. But I refuse to look for hope *in* Barack as she would suggest.
Even the Israelites did not place their hope in Moses as he led them through a 40-year hike through the desert. Rather, their hope was placed upon their superhuman Creator.
Fact is, Mr. Obama is not where my hope comes from. But the notion that he is “The One” who can deliver hope or “change we can believe in” that’s what’s got well-meaning people duped here about this guy…to the point of mass manipulation.
The American people, a good number of them anyway, aren’t stupid. We see the more than subliminal rip-offs of JFK, RFK and Dr. King day in and day out. I’ve had it with the copycat “retro” photo, rolled-up-white-shirt-wearing, pseudo-profound, grimace-making, “Ooh look, I’m a “statesman” speech-making, “Change”…his mind…again talking, flip my jacket over my shoulder just-like-Bobby walkin’, believe-my-own-press, special-interest seeking, non-voting junior statesman.
No. My hope doesn’t come from Mr. Obama. It comes from a place much more genuine, with more transparency, and unshakably unchangeable.
I encourage everyone to consider that the better attributes n a President are selflessness, humility, transparency, a servant-like nature, someone who is without affectation, and whose work and record speaks louder than all the best speech-making in the world.
I don’t need someone to convince me. I need evidence that has been wrought in solitary and even lonesome toil…without a camera having been in sight.
The true measure of a man or woman who seeks the highest office in our nation is one who is at ease in being the most plainspoken, honest, and unglamorous. A true leader is in fact one who has learned the wisdom of valuing how to follow and leads, not by charisma and in plenty, but leads with integrity under pressure and by example.
This is not the time for remedial character building. Our beloved country cannot afford to be the guinea pig for Mr. Obama’s political aspirations. He just very well may be a great leader someday. Until there’s a burning bush to alert us otherwise, we are better off to wait…and watch.
Mr. Obama is not where I place my hope. No. It’s too precious for that.
Jul 24, 2008 - 3:10 am 10. SAF:Obama will be elected in 2008. Buyers remorse will occur mid 2009.
The man is brilliant, knows exactly how to manipulate the press and the electorate in thinking he is all things to all people.
I think four bad years of Obama will help purge the US of the stupidity that grips it. Congress refuses to lift oil and gas exploration moratoriums so that Nancy Pelosi can get reelected in November. As a kid I laughed at the tale of Rome burning and Nero fiddling. It isn’t funny now.
Jul 24, 2008 - 4:11 am 11. An Unsealed Room » Obama Loves Hummus - and Other PR Triumphs:[...] My full report on Obamafest Israel is here. [...]
Jul 24, 2008 - 6:10 am 12. harry:Obama is a huge celebrity. Nothing is more boring to me than watching celebrity shows like Entertainment Tonight. Who cares what Britney or Brangelina are doing? The Presidency is not and never should be about worshipping clebrities. If public opinion reflected media infatuation with Obama he’d be ahead by 80 percentage points yet poll after poll calls it pretty even. At least half the population isn’t being bamboozled by media overhype and worship. People are concerned about national security, jobs, finances and health coverage. Real life issues not celebrity style glamor will decide this Presidency.
Jul 24, 2008 - 6:47 am 13. saleboter:i wonder if the sharing of the loaves and fishes was covered.
Jul 24, 2008 - 7:27 am 14. The Wizard:The man does not know the truth, Obama has transformed into an amoral idiot; continuing to spew and pander whatever his current audience wants to hear. He believes nothing, except that he is the annointed leader of the free world and a New Black Society. He cannot even keep up with previous statements and promises even through they are recorded on video and audio tape. His audacity is beyond comprehension. He is dangerous, a racist and charlatan. Be afraid, America, very, very afraid.
Jul 24, 2008 - 7:54 am 15. ReCon USMC:Oboma has already Pimped Bush’s ride in Iraq . Oboma voted against the Surge, scolded PATRAOUS IN CONGRESS 6 MONTHS AGO as did all Liberals and to NOT fund our Troops three times HE VOTED AGAINST and just said the Iraqis did this pretty much bye then selves after Bush and Mc Cain wanted them sent there and MOST LIBERALS voted against including some Republicans .
The many factions are talking PEACE there now because it is safe to engage Politically now that Al Quada is meaningless and hated for their thousands of crimes against Iraqis .
So Oboma shows up after all Liberals put the leader of IARQ down terribly the Media won’t mention .. wonder why ? Not really !
Real Jews watching Oboma’s hustling them at the Wall must make them sick too their Stomach Knowing how he feels about Iran and the Palestine Iran lead hezbollah terrorist cause wanting to deal with their mad leader with Liberal carrots sticks in Iran .As did Speaker Polosi do with the Nut in Syria only to fail terribly while both of her and Oboma are trying to embarrasses the President and hurt McCain’s changes by having all of the entire media googling over him like young kids over Hanna Montana … It didn’t happen when Mc Cain went to Iraq 8 times . No other ever or Any none elected PRESIDENTIAL Candidate should not be allowed to make Campaign visits with a staff of 300 to MEET with ELECTED foreign leaders and a first time World class commanding General the Surge Genius Patraeus for 40 minutes and then tell him he is wrong on future War tactic’s in IARQ ?
Not even a Military Novas would do anything that absolutely stupid and uncalled fore must less a presidential contender Thinking Voters votes .
And this empty man man wants to lead the most powerful Nation in the world in the most dangerous times in the world ever ….. That is a scary thought ! Israel saw that as well in as well since Irael is the most educated country in all of the middle east as well as Politically not by the Govt. brain washing like in the rest of the middle east .
Carter tried that with Iran getting their leader replaced with the Iranian cleric screw ball (who laughed at Carter we have heard from in the clerics own papers ) and we are paying for it 38 years later .
The President or Iran was a Hostage taker ID’ed by 6 prisoners held there for 18 months . I am sure many Jews as do I see the Mad man President of Iran as Hitler in Germany long before he Gassed them too death and created war in 21 Countries Murdering Millions and his own Military and INNOCENT CITIZENS .. That horror still lives in Jews minds and rightfully so these days getting threats to wipe them off the earth daily , suicide attacks and rockets often are not mindless ILLUSIONS BY ISRAELIS .
I am nothing more than a Former ReCON Marine and a loyal American who really respects and admires Israel the only real Democracy in the entire Middle East with choice of Religions or even being a Atheist .
Funny and amazing as well Israel with no Coal , Oil or Water in the middle of the desert and the smallest country there is in the Middle East has a powerful Military , Economically very EDUCATED and sound Nation . The only one in the entire middle east bye the way .
Many in America our Colleges and Europe and the entire Middle East want Israel destroyed . Nothing New about that for Jewish History .
Shalom
Jul 24, 2008 - 8:35 am 16. Ken Besig:As an Israeli, I am all too aware just how dangerous it can be to elect anyone who is the media’s darling, like Barack Obama. We have had several Prime Ministers which our media just had orgasms over, and which were the worst, most uninformed, most cynical, and most dangerous leaders we ever could have elected. Remember Rabin and the media hype about how Israel is waiting for Rabin? Rabin turned out to be a drunkard who brought Israel to her knees with the Oslo Accords and Arafat’s terrorist army in the heart of Israel. And then our media led us into voting Ehud Barak into the PM’s office, and Barak didn’t just leave Israel broken and bleeding with his Lebanon pullout, he multiplied the damage with his unbelievable offers of complete Israeli surrender at Camp David when he met with Arafat and Clinton. Then our media fell in love with our own home grown criminal fascist, Ariel Sharon, who along with his disengagement fiasco, proceed to almost fatally damage Israeli democracy with his criminal behavior and his abuse of our most important political and governmental institutions. And of course, our media just loved Ehud Olmert, and after his plonter in Lebanon in 2006, Ehud Olmert found even more innovative ways, with his criminal behavior and immorality, to make Israeli politics even more unpalatable to our public. Take my word for it, anyone the media loves, either here or in America, will be the worst possible leader ever elected should he win the election, and by this I do mean Barack Obama.
Jul 24, 2008 - 9:19 am 17. Morton Doodslag:The US Press is predictably silent on mentioning anything that might tarnish HIM, but I wonder if there’s anything in the Israeli press accounts about a bad reception? It’s a delicate matter, I suppose, and the Israeli Press may be rightly reluctant to mention it — but Drudge and other reports I’ve read hint at some rather vocal opposition to HIS arrival. Anyone have any light to shed?
Jul 24, 2008 - 9:49 am 18. saus:Sure Morton, here’s what I saw added to some highlights in the article above of positive feeling, but there was not much in the way of fawning crowds, no real mania here, a few small groups of protesters challenging Obama in Jerusalem. Shimon Peres our purely symbolic president who has retired from active politics after never winning an election and is a swooning left dove, was Obama’s biggest fan here. For press he got, there was just as much if not more healthy skepticism here in Israel. McCain leads Obama by large margins in Israelis polled for preference, and opinion news pieces were mostly also very skeptical, not much if any of the usual love affair opinion pieces you see plenty of in the US.
Allison put this proper tag line above:
“Israelis liked what they heard from the Democratic presidential candidate during his whirlwind visit. They just hope they can believe it.”
One might argue strongly few were moved as Obama is widely seen as a double-talker & Israelis are notoriously cynical of hype machines, sensitive and largely unimpressed by propaganda. Our press threw no small measure of zingers Obama’s way while he toured around challenging harder than I’ve seen from most of his regular tagging press corps. Frankly, making a big show in the US at AIPAC in what was clearly a political what you want to hear speech, resulted in many more headlines over his backtrack on Jerusalem the last while, than Obama got over his 24 hour shoot through Israel.
He left this morning, our public broadcaster made no mention of him in the evening TV news tonight, maybe there was something in the trailing 5 minutes where they cover fluff, I didn’t watch that long. In Israel we respect both nominees, they represent the future of our #1 ally after all, but this was certainly the least hype Obama has seen I would gather in a long long while. Contrasted to the German reaction today, night & day.
Jul 24, 2008 - 2:36 pm 19. Believer:That little note he tucked in the Wall? Probably said something like this:
“They’re buying it. It’s good to be Me.”
Remember, for two decades he sat in a “Christian” church and supported it while his spiritual mentor showed them all how to break the Commandments. To lie and be resentful and envious – even hateful.
He always does what’s appropriate and right. Never any reason to admit being wrong. It’s his judgment that’s so superior, he’ll tell you.
Jul 24, 2008 - 2:59 pm 20. Mary Stella:Obama, will say what Israel want to hear, he is just a politician, as his Rev. Wright, of 20 years, who knew him best, described him truthfully.
Jul 24, 2008 - 3:18 pm 21. Daslickness:His propaganda tour of duty(according to NBC), in Europe, his speeches, words “I know I do not look like other Americans who previously have spoken in this great city”, in Germany, then apologizing for series of things is just elitist, and appeasing. He could be a celebrity in Europe, but not in Middle America.
Well, Ahmadinejad, will be coming to New York soon, why not candidate Obama publicly send a stern message to him strongly supporting Israel.
For a man who is all HYPE no substance you all are surely getting worked up…
Jul 24, 2008 - 9:14 pm 22. ddc:SAF:
“Obama will be elected in 2008. Buyers remorse will occur mid 2009.
I think four bad years of Obama will help purge the US of the stupidity that grips it.”
__________
Agreed 100%. Possible one-termer, unless he has the luck of Bill, he seems to be following that playbook to the T and much better than Hillary did.
I do think though that it’s Obama’s 300+ backup who are brilliant. Obama delivers their lines better than any Oscar recipient ever delivered theirs. I often say that he’d make a great actor.
Jul 25, 2008 - 5:49 am 23. Javelin:I love it when people copy Rush and refer to Obama as the Obamamessaiah or Lord Obama or some other patronizing title like that, say they can’t attack his wife or pastor or middle name, then spend an hour earing him apart on those very same aspects. Right wingers have to be the pettiest people in the world.
Jul 26, 2008 - 10:39 am 24. Pajamas Media » Seven States That Will Decide the Election:[...] later, though Obama has persisted in showing support for Israel — both in Florida and the Holy Land. Of course, the more religious the Jew, the more they favor McCain and question Obama’s [...]
Aug 20, 2008 - 1:06 am 25. Seven States that Will Decide the Election « THE “G” BLOG @WordPress.com:[...] though Obama has persisted in showing support for Israel — both in [21] Florida and the [22] Holy Land. Of course, the more religious the Jew, [23] the more they favor McCain and [24] question Obama’s [...]
Aug 20, 2008 - 4:32 am