Obama is better for Israel

[Ian David]

Oct 26, 2008 20:58 | Updated Oct 27, 2008 16:05
Obama is better for Israel
By HOWARD BERMAN

For my 26 years in Congress, American foreign policy and America's role in the world have been at the center of my priorities. My lifelong commitment to Israel's security and a strong US-Israel relationship impacts my views and positions on foreign policy and national security issues. And I believe very strongly that Barack Obama is the best choice for president. Why?

Because by and large, John McCain represents a continuation of business as usual, while Obama offers the possibility of real change. While both McCain and Obama have outstanding records on issues affecting this small democracy, friends of Israel should want change because for a variety of reasons, Israel is less secure now than it was when President George W. Bush took office.

Whatever one might think about the wisdom of the war in Iraq (or the way it was managed), it is undeniable that Iran is stronger in its wake. The Bush administration's policy to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapons capability is not working, and Teheran continues to enrich uranium faster than sanctions are being applied to stop it. Iran's support for Hizbullah has reached new heights; it remains a major supplier of arms, money and training, and orchestrates Hizbullah's agenda. That terrorist organization has 40,000 rockets aimed at Israel and a far greater political grip on Lebanon than it had before. And Shi'ite Iran has greatly strengthened its relationship with Sunni Hamas.

In Gaza, President Bush failed to take meaningful steps to improve the lives of Palestinians after Israel's withdrawal. He and his administration diddled for more than four months as conditions there worsened. Meanwhile, against the advice of prime minister Ariel Sharon, and at the end even Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, he insisted on going through with elections which resulted in a Hamas victory. His conflation of America's commitment to democracy with quick elections served neither the interests of Israel nor America.

<snip>

The writer, a Democratic congressman from California, is chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

More:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1225036811961&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull



Sen. Barack Obama laying a wreath at Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial museum.With him is Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev, center. getty images



Ronald Reagan lays a wreath on the grave of Nazi SS Concentration Camp prison guards in Bitburg, Germany.




http://jews4barack.com/