The Obama Administration Clarifies Its Position Against Israel 

OBAMA AMBASSADOR AND FUNDRAISER “BLAMES ISRAEL FOR ANTI-SEMITISM”

Weekly Standard: “Obama Fundraiser And Ambassador Blames Israel For Anti-Semitism.” “The U.S. ambassador to Belgium, Howard Gutman, recently told a conference hosted by the European Jewish Union that Israel is to blame for growing anti-Semitism harbored by people of Muslim faith. ‘A distinction should be made between traditional anti-Semitism, which should be condemned and Muslim hatred for Jews, which stems from the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians,’ Gutman reportedly said, according to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. ‘He also argued that an Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty will significantly diminish Muslim anti-Semitism.’ According to the account in the Israeli paper, ‘The legal experts at the event were visibly stunned by Gutman’s words, and the next speaker offered a scathing rebuttal to the envoy’s remarks.’” (Daniel Halper, “Obama Fundraiser And Ambassador Blames Israel For Anti-Semitism,” Weekly Standard’s “The Blog,” 12/3/11)

• ABC News: “US Ambassador Under Fire For Comments On Anti-Semitism.” “The US Ambassador to Belgium, Howard Gutman, finds himself under fire this morning for comments he made about the roots of some Muslim anti-Semitism, comments from which the White House distanced itself. Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli newspaper, reported Friday that Gutman told a Jewish conference on anti-Semitism organized by the European Jewish Union that – as the newspaper described it – ‘a distinction should be made between traditional anti-Semitism, which should be condemned and Muslim hatred for Jews, which stems from the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.’” (Jake Tapper, “US Ambassador Under Fire For Comments On Anti-Semitism,” ABC News, 12/4/11)

OBAMA DEFENSE SECRETARY TO ISRAEL: “JUST GET TO THE DAMNED TABLE”

Obama Defense Secretary Blames Israel For Administration’s Failure On Middle East, Saying “Just Get To The Damned Table.” “Defense Secretary Leon Panetta called on Israel Friday to ‘reach out and mend fences’ with Turkey, Egypt and other security partners in the Middle East, saying he is troubled by the Jewish state’s growing isolation in the volatile region. He also urged Israeli leaders to do more to restart peace talks with the Palestinians and underscored President Barack Obama’s determination to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. … In a question-and-answer session with his audience after his speech, Panetta was asked what Israel should do to get peace talks back on track. ‘Just get to the damned table,’ Panetta replied.” (“Pentagon Chief Laments Israel’s Growing ‘Isolation’ From Traditional Partners Like Turkey,” The Associated Press, 12/2/11)

• Secretary Panetta “Spoke Sternly On Friday To America’s Closest Ally In The Middle East.” “Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta spoke sternly on Friday to America’s closest ally in the Middle East, telling Israel that it is partly responsible for its increasing isolation and that it now must take ‘bold action’ – diplomatic, not military – to mend ties with its Arab neighbors and settle previously intractable territorial disputes with the Palestinians. ‘I believe security is dependent on a strong military, but it is also dependent on strong diplomacy,’ Mr. Panetta said. ‘And unfortunately, over the past year, we have seen Israel’s isolation from its traditional security partners in the region grow, and the pursuit of a comprehensive Middle East peace has effectively been put on hold.’” (Thom Shanker, “Defense Chief Says Israel Must Mend Arab Ties,” The New York Times, 12/2/11)

AT THE SAME TIME, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AGREE THAT OBAMA IS FAILING ON IRAN

“In A Rare Outpouring Of Bipartisan Criticism,” Democrats And Republicans “Charged That The White House Is Not Moving Aggressively Enough To Stop Iran From Building A Nuclear Weapon.” “Democrats and Republicans said the White House is not moving aggressively enough to stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon. In a rare outpouring of bipartisan criticism, lawmakers Thursday charged that the White House is not moving aggressively enough to stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon. Republicans and Democrats in the Senate hammered administration officials for what they said is a lack of urgency about Tehran’s nuclear work.” (John Bennett, “Lawmakers Hit The White House On Iran, Say Urgency Is Lacking,” The Hill, 12/1/11)

Senator Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA): “There is a … sense of urgency in our country, but there doesn’t seem to be an administration policy that is commensurate with that urgency.”  (John Bennett, “Lawmakers Hit The White House On Iran, Say Urgency Is Lacking,” The Hill, 12/1/11)

To Reconcile, Obama Plans To Hit Campaign Trail Sounding The Same “Without Preconditions” Refrain:

Obama “Expected To Hit The Trial Sounding The Same Refrain He Has Since Taking Office: That The United States Is Willing To Engage In Good-Faith Negotiations With Iran.” “President Obama is expected to hit the trail sounding the same refrain he has since taking office: that the United States is willing to engage in good-faith negotiations with Iran, but will continue tightening the noose with sanctions until that happens.” (John Bennett, “Lawmakers Hit The White House On Iran, Say Urgency Is Lacking,” The Hill, 12/1/11)

• At A July 2007 Debate, Barack Obama Said He Would Meet With The Leaders Of State Sponsors Of Terror “Without Precondition.” QUESTION: “[W]ould you be willing to meet separately, without precondition, during the first year of your administration, in Washington or anywhere else, with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea, in order to bridge the gap that divides our countries?”… OBAMA: “I would. And the reason is this, that the notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them — which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of this administration – is ridiculous.” (CNN/YouTube Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, SC, 7/23/07)
  • National Journal: “President Obama took office with talk of launching talks – without preconditions – with Iran’s Islamist rulers.  His diplomatic outreach was rebuffed, however, and Tehran appears to have stepped up both its nuclear efforts and its support for paramilitary proxies in nations like Iraq and Lebanon.” (Yochi J. Dreazen, “In A World Of Challenges, Iran Again Dominates GOP Debate,” National Journal, 11/23/11)