World
Anti-Israel President? from page 29
Ominous Signs
The shift in policy wasn't without
warning.
For two decades, Klein said,
Obama was a loyal congregant of
Chicago's Trinity United Church
of Christ led by the Rev. Jeremiah
Wright, who became a polarizing
figure in the presidential campaign
for his history of anti-American ser-
mons and open criticism of Zionism
and Israel.
Klein said the now-retired pas-
tor has also historically supported
groups that promote business
divestment from Israel and honored
Nation of Islam leader Rev. Louis
Farrakhan for lifetime achieve-
ment. Obama publicly denounced
Wright's remarks and resigned from
the church during the campaign,
but Klein said Wright's philosophies
regarding Israel are mirrored in sev-
eral presidential appointments.
Obama, Klein said, has national
security advisers who openly advo-
cate long-term settlement freezes in
the West Bank and stopping military
support for Israel. Many within the
administration, including White
House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel
and Senior Adviser David Axelrod,
also strongly believe Israel should
return to pre-1967 borders and allow
for right of return.
Lester Zeff of Troy said that was
disturbing.
"The essence of what Mr. Klein's
saying is that we need to be very
careful about what's going on right
now; and he backed it up with state-
ments and policy decisions:' Zeff
said.
An official with the White House
press office referred the Jewish News
to the National Security Council
office within the White House for
comment. No one responded by press
time.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Noon 2 pm
Buizel Conference Center
Melba Winer (z"I
President's Award Recipient
Roberta Blumberg
'Heart of Tamarack' Award Recipien
Casual Dress Attire
Lunch will be provided (Die
.
For additional informatton:
www.tamarackcamps.com
Tamarack Camps, established by the Fresh Air Society, provides enriching
Jewish camping experiences for children and families, independent of
financial ability, building a vibrant Jewish community.
JN Community Forum
Featured Blogger:
Time Of Urgency
Klein made it clear that Obama was
not his choice for president and that
he personally has misgivings about
a liberal agenda taking shape since
the inauguration. But Klein insists
his message runs deeper than par-
tisan leanings and that there is far
too much at stake to be motivated by
personal pride.
In addition to Middle East peace,
Obama's administration will be
tasked with curbing Iran's nuclear
ambitions and combating fanatical
Islam. All three are paramount to
Israel's survival, Klein said.
Read his latest blog at:
http://thejewishnews.com/community
Levi Stein blogs about his thoughts, events,
international travels and experiences.
1567300
30
July 29 • 2010
"It's not
enough
to say the
words
`unbreakable bond'
when your policies
and actions belie that
statement."
- Mort Klein
Klein said he was disappointed that
the Israeli government wasn't doing
more to combat the spread of hatred
and anti-Semitism in countries they
are expected to make peace with. He's
equally frustrated with leaders of
other major Jewish organizations in
America for remaining silent.
"Criticize the president and you are
less likely to be invited for meetings
at the White House. And they want to
be there Klein said.
When pressed about how well-
respected leaders of other organiza-
tions could have it so wrong, Klein
recounted that the same groups also
fully endorsed the failed 1990s Oslo
Accords and later troop withdrawal
from Lebanon (2000) and Gaza
(2005). Each decision, which the ZOA
denounced, came at a high cost of life
with no peace in return.
"The record of the ZOA is that
unfortunately, and tragically, we were
right:' Klein said.
Now is not the time for apathy, he
insisted.
The ZOA continues its lobby-
ing efforts and many members of
Congress have spoken out against the
administration's positions on Israel,
he said.
With the November elections loom-
ing, some in attendance felt Klein's
remarks were timely.
"I'm glad to hear his perspective
because we need to know, and we
need to act up and let our voices
be heard now more than ever:' said
Masha Silver, of Farmington Hills.
"I'm very disappointed by repeated
condemnation of Israel and lack of
condemnation for anybody else that
goes against U.S. policy"
❑
Visit www.zoa.org for more information.