“I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.” – President Obama, June 4, 2009
As President Obama reaches out to the Muslim community, it is disturbing to witness his alienation of the Jewish community, and in particular, America’s ally, Israel.
That is not to say that Obama was inappropriate in his commendation of historic achievements of Islamic civilization in his Cairo speech.
However, by ignoring the great achievements of Jewish culture and their impact on modern civilization, Obama is sending a message to the world that his presidential responsibilities do not include defending Israel from attacks directed at it.
From the linking of Israeli settlements to the broader Iranian issue and bullying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into capitulating to U.S. demands, Obama’s actions and words help perpetuate the world’s isolation of the Jewish state.
In his public statements following the Haiti earthquake in which he listed numerous countries providing aid, Obama conspicuously omitted Israel, whose rescue teams were among the first on the ground saving lives. In ignoring Israel’s humanitarian role in the world, Obama disregards his “responsibility” to fight anti-Semitism and foster a global understanding of Israeli values.
Israelis value the life and soul of every citizen. Nothing exemplifies this more than the policy of the government to ensure the return of every soldier – dead or alive. Yet one of the most telling characteristics of a culture is the value placed on its children.
After 9/11, Palestinian children, decorated with face paint and brandishing automatic weapons, celebrated death as they cheered atop their father’s shoulders. Conversely, Israelis have established several innovative and compassionate programs, which assist children across the world.
The Dream Doctor program trains “medical clowns” to work with sick children, the Sderot Media Center’s theater program provides therapy to children traumatized by years of missile barrages, and Save A Child’s Heart provides cardiac care to children in developing countries.
Each of these Israeli humanitarian programs is based on the understanding that children, no matter their religion or nationality, are the future of a peaceful world.
While the children of Israel are recognized as its future, that future is being threatened by political obstacles outside of its control.
On the heels of the recent Goldstone report, rich with falsehoods and distortions, 54 Democratic Congressmen sent a letter to Obama requesting that the administration pressure Israel to alleviate Gaza blockades.
There was no mention that the blockades are designed to safeguard Israeli civilians from further terrorist attack. Nor did the letter address the tightening of Egyptian barriers. And before a group of students in Gaza recently, Rep. Brian Baird, D-WA, called for U.S. intervention to counter Israeli blockades.
Obama’s response to both the letter and Baird’s statement should have been a decisive dismissal of these requests and condemnation of the congressmen for directing the tirade at the humanitarian government of Israel. Instead there was silence.
While it is the duty of Israelis to never forget the lessons of history, their survival also includes maintaining their humanity in a world of little tolerance for their existence. In commenting on Israel’s aid to the people of Haiti, Netanyahu stated, “This is the true covenant of the State of Israel and the Jewish People.”
It is time for the elected representatives of the U.S. government to take public notice of this tiny country, surrounded by hate and violence, which continues to achieve excellence while maintaining compassion and valuing life. Obama should “stay the course” of his predecessors, take the lead in furthering a true partnership with an ally, and condemn the negative stereotypes that Israel is forced to fight daily.
Lauri Regan is a lawyer at White & Case LLP in New York and a regular contributor to AmericanThinker.com.
