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Last update - 21:56 05/11/2008
ANALYSIS / It's safe to assume that Obama won't abandon Israel
By Akiva Eldar
Tags: Israel news, u.s. 

As the world's largest democracy on Tuesday chose - for the first time in its history - a black president, Israel's own democracy marked 13 years since the murder of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin by a fanatic fellow citizen.

We can only envy the millions of American citizens cheering on their new president and the nation that elected him.

Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, once hoped for a military chief of staff of Middle Eastern descent in Israel - which we have had. We have even had a Sephardi defense minister and a president.
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Hopefully, not long from now we will have a Russian or Ethiopian prime minister, too, but for now we'll have to make do with three candidates of the same Ashkenazi background and take comfort in the achievement that one of them is a woman.

When the triumphant celebrations over Obama's victory die down, we will witness the voices of extremists who refuse to accept the fate of electors' choice.

America too, has been 'blessed' with racist-messianic organizations whose members are willing to give up their lives for purposes which they view as "sacred" ? such as revoking women's rights, or fighting for the right to buy a rifle at the local grocery store.

America too, has witnessed assassination attempts and murders of (several of) its presidents. The U.S secret services - like Shin Bet - are responsible for the president's welfare, but they are not immune to the acts of a suicide bomber.

Barak Obama's welfare should be particularly important to Israel and not just because of the special relations between the two countries.

If we go by the unwritten rule that says that a president's choice of advisers define his policies, it's safe to assume that Obama will not abandon Israel.

I've had the pleasure of meeting two of his senior advisors: former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Daniel Kurtzer and his strategic advisor Dan Shapiro. Both of these men are Jewish supporters of Israel and promoters of peace, and they believe that the future of Israel depends on the establishment of a Palestinian state.

With a second term already in focus, the new Democrat president does not want to disappoint the small but active Jewish-American community that has given him such comprehensive support throughout his entire campaign.

Outgoing President George Bush, however, has already laid the path for Obama to follow: Bush's vision of two separate states, the road map to peace, a commitment to freeze all settlements in the occupied territories - all these issues are waiting for Obama in the Oval Office.

Obama will have to decide if and when he wishes to put his predecessor's resolutions into action.

The results of Israel's upcoming elections will of course have an impact on his decision. Should the Israeli right-wing win, Obama will have to convince the government to espouse his liberal views of compromise through discussion and debate. It's hard to predict what Obama's reaction would be if Likud candidate Binyamin Netanyahu reaches out to the Palestinians with an overall peace offering or a peace-for-peace offer to Syria - assuming he is elected.

Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S Danny Ayalon's recent interview with Channel Two has marked the beginning of the Israeli right wing's adjustment to the dramatic change in America.

Ayalon assured viewers that there was no reason to fear Obama, and said the Democratic candidate is good for Israel, as he will have an easier time forming a coalition against Iran.

This is the same Danny Ayalon who stated in an article in Jerusalem Post last January that having met Obama he feels that the senator is "not completely straight" regarding Israeli issues, and that his candidacy should be regarded with concern.

Related articles:
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  • So is Obama a danger to Israel after all?
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      1.   Obama will be perceived as a friend to Israel 11:58  |  Natallie Durson 05/11/08
      2.   Continuing to back a phony "peace plan" IS abandoning Israel! 12:10  |  Yaakov K. 05/11/08
      3.   The only way Obama will EVER be perceived as a FRIEND of Israel 12:15  |  Yaakov K. 05/11/08
      4.   Obama is a friend of Palestine 12:18  |  mariapalestina 05/11/08
      5.   World`s Largest Democracy? WRONG 12:24  |  Mark G 05/11/08
      6.   Obama will have to first focus on the US economy .. 12:36  |  redmike 05/11/08
      7.   It will be good both for Israel and Arabs 12:40  |  mehmet 05/11/08
      8.   Shaul Mofaz and Moshe Katsav Ashkenazis? 12:40  |  Martin 05/11/08
      9.   Sloppy editorial 12:58  |  Igor 05/11/08
      10.   declining power 13:11  |  truth 05/11/08
      11.   I see no reason why Obama will not be a good friend of Israel. 13:13  |  Jehudah 05/11/08
      12.   more delusions by haaretz that israel will figure for 3 years 13:15  |  victor hardman 05/11/08
      13.   #1 Natalie Durson 13:32  |  Daniela 05/11/08
      14.   I do not acept this analysis 13:41  |  Gideon Reader 05/11/08
      15.   i expect isreal to shrink down to size 13:48  |  you are not much 05/11/08
      16.   "It`s safe to assume..." Actually no, it`s not! 14:04  |  Johnny 05/11/08
      17.   zio state needs to integrate 14:16  |  get a clue 05/11/08
      18.   Obama support 14:18  |  Cali American 05/11/08
      19.   i also expect the zio-occupation of washington DC to 14:21  |  dissapear 05/11/08
      20.   Like Duh Dude! 14:22  |  Mark Lincoln 05/11/08
      21.   Barak Obama will want change 14:35  |  Chris Linthwaite 05/11/08
      22.   johnny people like you just ceased to matter 14:37  |  i know evil 05/11/08
      23.   martin what are you talking about ? 14:42  |  mehmet 05/11/08
      24.   # 14 gideon: Wake up 14:44  |  Axel 05/11/08
      25.   What it`s safe to assume. 15:06  |  Leeza Cohen Coleman 05/11/08
      26.   Re Cali American 15:12  |  Jess 05/11/08
      27.   To truth # 10 - Wishful thinking ..... 15:15  |  Dagma 05/11/08
      28.   "Bush...has already laid the path for Obama to follow" Wrong 15:22  |  Realist 05/11/08
      29.   Let`s see how Israel behaves over the coming months 15:44  |  Clickfool 05/11/08
      30.   Time to Crush AIPAC 15:59  |  Art Skell 05/11/08
      31.   Reply to Gideon Reader (Post No. 14) 16:02  |  Johnny Weintraub 05/11/08
      32.   Obama 16:07  |  RonH 05/11/08
      33.   To # 10 truth - The US is in its final glow..... 16:17  |  The Threadmill 05/11/08
      34.   Mehmet #7 Obama doesnt like racists and extremists??? 16:20  |  Johnny 05/11/08
      35.   The problem is 16:23  |  Joe 05/11/08
      36.   The ONLY reason Obama won is the failure in Iraq... 16:26  |  Jordan 05/11/08
      37.   Mark Lincoln #20 16:27  |  Yariv 05/11/08
      38.   Forced to accept two-state solution 16:28  |  Joe Camel 05/11/08
      39.   Haha..Russia is already flexing against Obama... 16:39  |  Sergei Ahmed 05/11/08
      40.   Ayalon better be wrong! 16:58  |  Stella Melrose 05/11/08
      41.   ANALYSIS / All prior Haaretz analysis 17:10  |  Mark Lincoln 05/11/08
      42.   Yariv - how do you think he won? 17:13  |  Mark Lincoln 05/11/08
      43.   No Jordan 17:17  |  Mark Lincoln 05/11/08
      44.   Forced to accept two-state solution? 17:21  |  Mark Lincoln 05/11/08
      45.   #39 Mark Lincoln 17:27  |  Mark B. 05/11/08
      46.   Stella you are so wrong if you think Iran is not a threat to the 17:41  |  Jimmy 05/11/08
      47.   Depends what he buy from Arabs and pay for with Israel`s land 17:45  |  AniAshkeloni 05/11/08
      48.   With politics, don`t feel safe to assume 17:45  |  Joan 05/11/08
      49.   Barak Obama 17:49  |  Chris Linthwaite 05/11/08
      50.   # 39 sergei 17:51  |  Axel 05/11/08
      51.   Re: #2 (Yakov) 17:59  |  Leo 05/11/08
      52.   Mark #42 18:27  |  Yariv 05/11/08
      53.   To #39 Sergei 18:39  |  Leo 05/11/08
      54.   IT WAS OVER ISRAEL 18:45  |  indrajaya 05/11/08
      55.   #49 more theories of crap from lintwit 18:53  |  victor hardman 05/11/08
      56.   Mark B. - I have been long aware and amused 18:54  |  Mark Lincoln 05/11/08
      57.   Yariv - not alll Obama`s doing 19:01  |  Mark Lincoln 05/11/08
      58.   Indrajaya - IT WAS OVER ISRAEL? 19:06  |  Mark Lincoln 05/11/08
      59.   jewish support 19:13  |  queen esther 05/11/08
      60.   Sergei #39 stop dreaming 19:26  |  X-MILITARY 05/11/08
      61.   Eldar manages to be wrong from his very first sentence. 19:39  |  Chaim 05/11/08
      62.   To Leo from New York...I completely agree that the Iraq war empow 19:48  |  Sergei 05/11/08
      63.   #49 Linthwaite....Congress appropriates 19:52  |  Lynn 05/11/08
      64.   Eldar - Wrong Over 90% of the Time 20:10  |  Tod Zuckerman 05/11/08
      65.   #63 Lynn 20:58  |  Chris Linthwaite 05/11/08
      66.   Obama Chief of staff is son of Israeli 21:17  |  Florida Jew 05/11/08
      67.   Mark Lincoln 22:11  |  TonyL 05/11/08
      68.   To Akiva 22:33  |  Jose Narcio 05/11/08
      69.   ALL OF YOU 23:27  |  Imbar 05/11/08
      70.   God forbit! 23:29  |  Ex-wifey 05/11/08
      71.   US will not abandon Israel 23:33  |  ARTH 05/11/08
      72.   Durson #1 00:13  |  Philippe 06/11/08
      73.   100 days to `get it right` 00:18  |  samos 06/11/08
      74.   Jewish voters naivete 00:42  |  Condor 06/11/08
      75.   mehmet actually what are you talking about? 00:44  |  David Israel 06/11/08
      76.   JOE CAMEL the 2 state solution is anethema to Iran & Client Hamas 01:25  |  PETER SM 06/11/08
      77.   INDRAJAYA the expert on Obama.Watch out when the oil weapon 01:29  |  PETER SM 06/11/08
      78.   Screws and the big freeze 01:41  |  Jim 06/11/08
      79.   American Jewish support for Obama - Biden 01:43  |  Akiva Segan 06/11/08
      80.   HEY NATALIE 02:04  |  MISTER PARTY 06/11/08
      81.   #1 Natalie Durson 02:05  |  Jim 06/11/08
      82.   Same RW idiots post here, but 78% of Jews Voted Obama 02:21  |  David 06/11/08
      83.   #2 Yaakov K. 02:36  |  Jim 06/11/08
      84.   #3 Yaakov 02:50  |  Jim 06/11/08
      85.   #5 Mark Wise people 03:13  |  Jim 06/11/08
      86.   17 05:54  |  zionist forever 06/11/08
      87.   India is the world`s largest democracy! 07:43  |  Manny Goldstein 06/11/08
      88.   re Dagma 08:09  |  Cali American 06/11/08
      89.   Re: 09:43  |  Kara 06/11/08
      90.   Obama`s Israel View 12:38  |  John 06/11/08
      91.   Clickfool: The Obama Administration 16:48  |  Highlander 06/11/08
      92.   The same thing was said about President Carter 20:34  |  Steven 06/11/08
      93.   For Tod Zuckerman, in affinity and company. 01:17  |  Fortuna Benmayor 07/11/08
      94.   Balance 05:37  |  jjvanka 07/11/08
      95.   Fools 05:47  |  Realist 07/11/08
      96.   #15 the INSIGNIFICUNT 18:41  |  Ari ben Yisrael 07/11/08
      97.   Even greater friend of Israel will replace Obama in senate 04:12  |  Joseph 08/11/08
      98.   To Gideon Reader (#14) 04:18  |  Morris Valentine 08/11/08
      99.   Agreed! 04:19  |  RighteousOne 08/11/08
      100.   Yes@ 04:22  |  RighteousOne 08/11/08
      101.   Oi. 04:24  |  RighteousOne 08/11/08
      102.   Absolutely 04:25  |  RighteousOne 08/11/08
      103.   Yariv: #37 04:36  |  RighteousOne 08/11/08
      104.   Exactly, Sergei! 04:45  |  RighteousOne 08/11/08
      105.   My god help us all 04:51  |  - 08/11/08
      106.   - 04:53  |  - 08/11/08
      107.   They held Moses hands up and Israel won. Who was Moses? 15:01  |  Simon 08/11/08
      108.   Obama will sell out Israel 18:14  |  David 12/11/08
     Read & React
    Nasrallah: Israeli hands that attack Lebanon will be severed
    Responses: 95
    Carlo Strenger: Why Barack Obama's win is 'good' for the Jews
    Responses: 47
    Secular candidate Barkat, after win: I'll be mayor of all Jerusalemites
    Responses: 23
    Amir Oren: A Netanyahu win will put us on collision course with Obama
    Responses: 39


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