Far-rightists greet Rahm Emanuel in Jerusalem with cries of 'anti-Semite'
White House chief of staff has been in Israel all week to celebrate his son's bar-mitzvah.
By Yair Ettinger and Haaretz Service Tags: Rahm Emanuel Israel news Jewish world
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White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meeting in Jerusalem on Wednesday, May 26 |
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and his family toured the Old City of Jerusalem on Thursday for a celebratory tour to mark his son's bar mitzvah.
The family, surrounded by heavy security, was met during the visit by a crowd of angry far-rightists who accused him of being an "anti-Semite" and "hating Israel". Police forces were on hand to dispel the demonstrators and to arrest their leaders, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Baruch Maezel.
While news of Emanuel's visit to Israel has buzzed over the last week, it was unclear whether President Barack Obama's top adviser would be able to receive the necessary security to hold the traditional celebration at the Western Wall.
Emmanuel arrived in Israel last weekend for a family visit to mark the religious ceremony which symbolizes a Jewish boy's passage to manhood at the age of 13.
Although the visit has been defined as "private," Emmanuel met Wednesday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Emmanuel, said to be the model for the Josh Lyman character in the successful "West Wing" television series, is believed by many in Israel to be the architect of President Obama's tougher stance toward Israel.
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How about revising the two-state plan. We could make it three states: "Normal Israel," "Settler/Ultra-Orthodox Israel," and a Palestinian state. Sounds good to me. Not as good, but OK: two states...a multinational state and a "Settler/Ultra Orthodox" state. Of course, I prefer living in the State of Tel Aviv.
So many Jews in the diaspora had high hopes and unrealistic expectations of the Obama administration and it's "Jewish" connection. We, and Israel, were duped into believing that Israel had a true and loyal friend in the White House. Take note of true friendship -- that of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper -- and the Canadian connection with Israel. It's something to be admired, envied and respected.. As for R.E.., he's a self-serving, distant and unempathetic politician.
How do you know those protesters were all :"FAR rightists " ?? Did they have scarlet letters on their chests reading : FAR RIGHTIST, and, if so, in which language ?? Or did you just ask them and they told you such ? Please enlighten ASAP
Like when Biden was there, that should make you some new friends.
Here's a top US Government Official on his personal-family time and he gets critics. Emmanuel is a top offical of the government that gives israel billlions of dolars every year, but there is no gratefulness. The Israeli-USA relationship is in bad shape; and Israel should do more work to improve it.
sick. an orthodox jew comes to israel for his son's barmitzva and is not safe because other jews want to kill him and his family. that is what i call progress. will the new terrorist law apply to the right wing terrorists? cry the beloved country
I am a simple proud Jew and I, as does all those with Jewish self-respect knows, R.E. is bad for Israel, bad for Jews and bad for the world. Has the definition of centralist become so distorted that not being an self-flagellating Jew make one a Far-Rightist?
It is too bad that Emanuel on his "private" visit to Israel was not treated the same as Netanyahu was during his "private visit to the U.S.. Will he be paying his bill for the restaurant in Eilat?
How to win friends and influence people. Far rightists are good at diplomacy they've a brilliant plan for success that's been working for Israel around the world. Oh I get it, you don't care. Shtus
Welcome, and mazal tov.
Yet, he expects Israel to 'make nice' for his sons bar mitzvah? Until he remembers how important Israel is to the Jewish people, he deserves the negative reception.
I believe the most effective way to deal with the likes of Itamar Ben-Gvir and his ilk would have been for the police to apprehend them for questioning- nothing more. Take them immediately to the "Russian Compound"- the main Police Station in central Jerusalem- and interrogate them. Towards evening once the Emmanuel family was back in its hotel the little darlings could be let go. Nothin anti-democratic about my suggestions- just a little police interrogation. Now why can't these guys think like me?
Rahm Emanuel is not an anti Semite, He is something far worse, a traitor who turned against his people because he is an opportunist. There is nothing lower.
i think possibly we should encouraging Jews in he diaspora to celebrate the Judasism , I think that an Israeli american boy who has grown up inthe diaspora, to do a barmitzvah at the Kotel is an imperative if we want to ensure a connection for the future. There comes a time when no matter what ones political beliefs , That one should put aside differences for a more important issue. In this case ensuring the jewish identity and attachment to israel for future generations. By all means demonstrate when Ram emanuel is on official business boycott visits of obama if you think it will help , but hey when a family comes to celebrate there bar mitzvah allow that family to feel the joy that keeping mitzvot should provide. In short shame on the misguided Zealots who think that by destoying a 13 year olds right of passage as a jewish man is anything other than an act of cheap bullying.!
Nicely said, let them celebrate in peace and joy. Keep the demonstrations and verbal abuse for othr occasions.
from the second a male turns 13, he is barmitzva. no smoke, illusions, trips to Israel make it happen. You're right also that there should be joy in beginning to keep mitzvot. However, there are too many families where there is no mitzva observance, there is sacreligious disregard for anything Jewish and the parents use no sechel in nurturing a child's Jewish development and by bar mitzvah, the kids Jewish neshama is totally snuffed out. There are a lot of Jewish morons who think they know what judaism is from their pre-k jewish education. Is Emanuel one of those? Can't say, but if he is, then the proud bar mitzvah boy may see more light than what he has been exposed to thus far.
Emmanuel who wants Israel to give in historical Jewish lands outside of 1949 demarcation line (which is misleadingly called 1967 borders), does not deserve to be at the Kotel.
In every country there are fascists and in Israel, too. Even though this Itamar ben-Gvir is absolutely disgusting, we have to tolerate him, because democracy is when even such filth is tolerated. It's important to keep them where they are - on the fringe of the public discourse. Otherwise we are all in big trouble.
Their not on the outskirts of society, they dominate the government, these loonies run israel, why do you think things are they way they are, it will only get worse till it gets better.
if the think differently from you they are wrong. who says you are right? Who has the better education, connection to our heritage, feeling for the land. In battle and in peace, I will take the mild mannered Jewishly observant over the fools who talk with such disgusting, filthy and thoughtless knee jerk reactions.
Emanuel has no business being there anyway without the permission of the Palestinians.
When are Israelis going to see Emanuel as he really is? Bow to him just like Obama does to the rest of the world but this American Jew isn't believing anything from Emanuel. His actions and his words do not line up.
Did you ever know the existence of that before Israel's independence in 1948?
it's time to start living in the present
you have no concept of history, current events and truth, but go ahead, denial of truth ends up burying such fools.
The Palestinian Authority has no authority when it comes to our Kotel so why you say this. Our temple mount, keep dreaming.