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The dawn of a new era By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Barack Obama, Israel News  The election of Barack Obama as president of the United States is a moving, historic event that inspires hope. Against all odds, and in the face of a very well-oiled political machine, a relatively young, black social activist succeeded in beating Hilary Clinton, a popular and experienced rival, within their party, and finally beat also John McCain in the longest, most difficult and most significant election campaign in the world. There is no doubt that a considerable part of Obama's success stems from his impressive personality. Throughout the election campaign, in his activities within the United States and abroad (including a very brief visit to Israel), the Democratic candidate came across as an exceptional person - brilliant but radiating humility, quick on the uptake but with a rare ability to listen, exuding human warmth and charisma of the type that characterized great leaders such as John Kennedy, Bill Clinton and a handful of others. Obama is the quintessential orator but he is not an extroverted performer. His speeches are authentic, they are direct and sincere, and it is obvious that he believes in what he is saying. Advertisement In Obama's victory speech, which was outstanding and moved his audience to tears, there were clear echoes of Martin Luther King's thrilling, humanist rhetoric, but above all the ideology in which King believed and for which he paid with his life. But Obama was elected not only because of his good qualities, his personal charm and his verbal abilities. He was chosen first and foremost because he represents, in the most acute and genuine way, the change for which the citizens of the United States so desperately yearn. This is a revolutionary change in all spheres of life, and Obama himself was skillfully able to express it in the dozens of speeches he gave. The U.S. chose the exact opposite of the Bush administration, with all that that implies. Its people voted against militancy, against right-wing extremism and the stirring up of hostility from abroad, and against an irresponsible and ruthless economy at home. In an era when America became anathema in the world, and the Wall Street crisis dragged its people and many people all over the globe to the abyss of uncertainty and fear of the future, America chose the chance for peace and dialogue and socioeconomic repair in the spirit of the New Deal. Instead of drawing back into the recesses of fear and being dragged into a state of total social disintegration, millions of Americans, including those who had never before been inside a polling booth, this week took part in a stirring and promising process. Instead of letting apathy and racism get the better of them, they chose to send a black man to the White House. With his election, the deepest wound in American society, which was born with slavery but continued to bleed overtly and covertly in race riots and discrimination, has begun to heal. With Barack Obama's entry into the White House, the U.S., and together with it the entire world, stands on the threshold of a new era. If Obama succeeds in fulfilling the hope that is pinned on him, the day of his election will go down as the day that wrought a change in the entire world, and will grant those living there a reason to look forward to the future with hope. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Never walk alone It's safe to assume that Obama won't abandon Israel. Apprehensive in Israel Rightist MK Aryeh Eldad warns 'Israel should be wary of Barack Obama'   1.   Obama is not a Descendant of Slaves 00:26  |  ARTH 07/11/08   2.   Arth 02:20  |  ThundercloudOKC 07/11/08

Read & React Obama kick-starts transition, picks Israeli Rahm Emanuel as chief of staff Responses: 223 World Bank: Palestinian economy could flourish if Israel eased restrictions Responses: 98 Gaza gunman killed in IAF strike, after day of renewed hostilities Responses: 67 PM heads to D.C. to wrangle last favors from Bush Responses: 53 Iran's Ahmadinejad offers congratulations to Obama Responses: 75 More Headlines 02:23 Obama, Olmert agree on need to advance Mideast peace talks 01:12 U.S. Jews laud Obama pick of Rahm Emanuel for chief of staff 22:39 Iran's Ahmadinejad offers congratulations to Obama 01:18 IDF troops film themselves humiliating bound Palestinian 22:36 ADL blasts Greek paper for branding Obama win `end of Jewish domination` 23:17 Gaza militants fire four Qassam rockets into western Negev 20:48 Barak: Kadima 'a party of air', Netanyahu like 'Santa Claus' 22:12 Livni: Israel-PA peace talks must proceed unchanged 23:05 IDF concludes large drill simulating double-front war in North 19:27 Palestinians boycott 'useless' Jerusalem mayoral election 15:29 Vatican: Jewish charges against Nazi-era pope are 'outrageous' 18:25 Fatah: Hamas arrests dozens of our activists in Gaza 17:10 Actor Hanan Goldblatt sentenced to 7 years in jail for rape 16:13 Arabs rally against construction of Jerusalem museum on Muslim cemetery Previous Editions Select Day 06 nov 05 nov 04 nov 03 nov 02 nov 31 oct 30 oct 29 oct 28 oct 27 oct 26 oct 24 oct

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