Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., March 31, 2009 Nisan 6, 5769 | | Israel Time: 05:02 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 00:00 05/11/2008
ANALYSIS / Israel's dilemma: Obama vs. Qassams
By Aluf Benn
Tags: israel news, barak obama 

No declaration of support and no promising statements can diminish the fear many Israelis' have of U.S president - elect Barak Obama.

An elderly woman of Iraqi descent tells her daughter: "I saw them dancing. They're like the Arabs." The daughter replies: "I know - he'll support the Palestinians."

"This is the end of us. He will take away our military foreign aid grants," another man states. These recent responses to Barak Obama's election are typical of many Israelis.
Advertisement
These people identify Obama, black and bearing Hussein as a middle name, as a supporter of the oppressed in Third World countries, and fear that he will automatically side with the Palestinians.

Israel is not one of Obama's primary concerns. During his victory speech his weary eyes revealed his exhaustion after one of the longest presidential campaigns in the history of the United States, and his worries regarding the grave problems that he now must face: saving the American economy from a threatening recession, and putting an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with a bit of dignity. As Obama said, the road ahead is long, and the problems may not be resolved within just one year, or even within a single term.

Obama helps Livni, Qassams help Netanyahu

Regardless of his concern with Israel, Obama plays a key role in Israel's upcoming elections. The events of Tuesday nights stress the dilemma that Israeli voters will be facing: Obama's election helps Livni's candidacy while the Qassam missiles raise support for Netanyahu's.

Kadima party chair Tzipi Livni and her supporters will make attempts to convince the public that the key to good relations with the American government is peace talks, and although the U.S will not necessarily rush to intervene in the peace process, it will no doubt object to the settlements and urge Israel to give up territories.

Livni's camp will maintain that electing Netanyahu will inevitably lead to a clash with Obama, causing mainly stress and headaches. Judging by this approach, Obama is on the right side of history along with the Israeli left wing, as opposed to the state's right wing and Israeli settlers.

Netanyahu, on the other hand, will focus on the other events of Tuesday night, stating that the Qassam firing proves the depth of Kadima's failure to secure Israel even in times of a cease-fire agreement. Netanyahu will maintain that voting for Kadima ensures the continuation of Qassam attacks against Israel, and any discussion of further disengagement will spur more rocket firing. Netanyhu will maintain that he can convince Obama's government that Israel mustn't surrender to terror, and that he has good relations with the new president.

Much like the U.S, Israeli surveys show it to be a close race that is more likely to be affected by the two candidate's mistakes and stumbles than by the change of government in America. Nevertheless, Livni and Netanyahu will definitely do their best to emphasize the dilemma between Obama and the Qassam missiles.


Related articles:
  • Finance Minister: In coalition moves, Netanyahu harmed Israel
  • Livni to U.S.: Don't ask Israel to make 'shortcuts' to peace
  • Shas chief brands Livni allies 'racist, phony and condescending'
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    The core of the conflict
    The Mideast conflict is between those who want compromise, and those who don't.
    Closer to insanity
    Arab League chief says Israel's military policies are nearing madness.
      1.   Israel should say loud and clear :" Distance to Saudi oil fields 14:22  |  Absolute Sweden 05/11/08
      2.   P.S. The woman of Iraqi descent knows arabs better than Peres and 14:23  |  Absolute Sweden 05/11/08
      3.   puting an end to war in Afghanistan? 14:24  |  Avi 05/11/08
      4.   the time for real change in israeli policies is here 15:04  |  victor hardman 05/11/08
      5.   The people vote for change 15:35  |  Realist 05/11/08
      6.   Deserved Destiny: Israel Soon All Alone 15:38  |  El Caro 05/11/08
      7.   This can`t be right 15:46  |  Clickfool 05/11/08
      8.   Got nothing to do with his race; it`s his associations 15:57  |  McQueen 05/11/08
      9.   Clickfool,its GB that has been getting welfare from the US 16:04  |  Absolute Sweden 05/11/08
      10.   World`s Obamania Against Jews 16:04  |  Liz 05/11/08
      11.   Israel`s dilemma: Obama vs. Qassams 16:09  |  jaka 05/11/08
      12.   Israel`s dilemma: Obama vs. Qassams 16:26  |  Scott Havsy 05/11/08
      13.   A three year old with a hammer 16:37  |  Bitin Dawg 05/11/08
      14.   Thank you McCain anyway 16:37  |  Jacob 05/11/08
      15.   Saudi/Gulf oil will be gone America 16:48  |  Tazir 05/11/08
      16.   Haaretz knows better then Obama, what Obama wants :-) 16:53  |  shlomo 05/11/08
      17.   Pro-Israel and Pro-Obama 17:09  |  Florida Jew 05/11/08
      18.   It`s A Lot More Similar Than Some Think 17:28  |  Yosemite 05/11/08
      19.   Having followed Bush`s intransigence 17:55  |  Mark Lincoln 05/11/08
      20.   Iran might be easier than the Sunnis 18:16  |  Donnelly 05/11/08
      21.   "...They`re like the Arabs..." Exceptionally perceptive. 18:43  |  myoncegreatUSA 05/11/08
      22.   Obama vs. Osama 19:04  |  Yochanan 05/11/08
      23.   Israels dilemma. 19:07  |  Steve Gure 05/11/08
      24.   U.S. support for Israel under Obama 19:19  |  Dave J. 05/11/08
      25.   Qassams and Obama 19:28  |  Clint 05/11/08
      26.   Agree with Steve Gure 19:34  |  Yochanan 05/11/08
      27.   easy answer 19:45  |  Mike 05/11/08
      28.   Peace and Justice for ALL 20:00  |  Joe Doe 05/11/08
      29.   Israel is under attack, pure&simple 20:07  |  Mark 05/11/08
      30.   Livni and Obama =- Israel On the Ropes 20:13  |  Tod Zuckerman 05/11/08
      31.   For Joe Doe 20:43  |  Yochanan 05/11/08
      32.   Israel is for the Jews 21:06  |  Shahid 05/11/08
      33.   US support of Israel under Obama 21:10  |  Shahid 05/11/08
      34.   Stopping the american grants would bring peace 21:11  |  Palestinian 05/11/08
      35.   US support Israel under Obama 21:16  |  s 05/11/08
      36.   #24 21:33  |  Imbar 05/11/08
      37.   To #31 (Yochanan) 21:41  |  Joe Doe 05/11/08
      38.   Do you know what the definition of Israel is? 23:52  |  Jason Wells 05/11/08
      39.   Obama 23:59  |  USrealist 05/11/08
      40.   #39 USrealist. Obama 05:48  |  Lou Medel 06/11/08
      41.   Reply to US Realist (39) - It IS Perplexing 05:53  |  Tod Zuckerman 06/11/08
      42.   Obamedans in the White House 07:24  |  Steve Mayo 06/11/08
      43.   My Hope 15:24  |  Ralph 06/11/08
      44.   Israel`s dilemma:Obama vs. Qassams 03:42  |  Cam 31/03/09
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    Israel 2009 election results: Voter breakdown
    Israel goes to the polls
    Conflict in Gaza
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    More Headlines
    02:10 Netanyahu government to be sworn in today
    02:20 ANALYSIS / Obama is waiting on Netanyahu
    04:53 Shalit camp hopeful and apprehensive at government change
    02:26 Arab League backs Sudan's Bashir on arrest warrant
    03:27 Hit TV show 'The Office' to get an Israeli version
    00:21 Gaza probe / Either troops are liars, or the IDF is pure as snow
    22:40 Study cites dramatic rise in anti-Semitic attacks in Europe
    22:13 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    03:29 Jewish U.S. troops to get gefilte fish and matzot for an Iraq Pesach
    00:08 ADL slams Louis Farrakhan for 'bigoted' comments on Israel lobby
    04:13 Leviev`s company loses NIS 4.8 billion in 2008
    22:01 40 Arabs laid off as Israel Rail saves posts for army veterans
    19:19 Spanish Holocaust survivors testify in U.S. Nazi extradition case
    16:44 The Mideast conflict in 27 words or less
    18:11 In Prague, Peres calls for regional peace in Middle East
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Spring Specials-Dan Hotels
    Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results
    Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved