Obama in Passover message: Fight oppression everywhere
President hosts a White House Passover seder, his third in a row, and second as president.
By Natasha Mozgovaya and Haaretz Service Tags: Jewish holidays Barack Obama Israel newsThe celebration of Passover reminds us to fight oppression everywhere, U.S. President Barack Obama said in his annual holiday greeting on Monday, also highlighting the battle against all forms of discrimination.
In a statement released by the White House and signed by Obama, the U.S. president wrote that the story of Exodus taught that, "wherever we live, there is oppression to be fought and freedom to be won."
"In retelling this story from generation to generation, we are reminded of our ongoing responsibility to fight against all forms of suffering and discrimination," Obama wrote, adding that by doing so "we reaffirm the ties that bind us all."
The American president concluded his greeting by saying that "these bonds are the source of inextinguishable courage and strength, and provide hope that we can repair this world."
Later Monday, President Obama is expected to hold a Passover seder in the White House, making it the third year in a row he had done so, and a second time as president.
The president's weekly schedule indicated that he and the first lady president and are planned to host some 20 friends and staff members.
Obama, who has promised to conduct a dialogue with the whole world, sends many greetings over the year, including for the Muslim holiday of Ramadan and the Persian New Year, Nowruz.
While the Hanukkah party he hosted at the White House was for Jewish community leaders (and was closed to the media), the previous seder was an intimate event for his Jewish campaign workers; a recreation of the makeshift seder in April 2008 - during the campaign, on the roads, in the basement of a hotel in Pennsylvania.
The battle for the nomination against Hillary Clinton was two months away from a decision. Criticism of the controversial statements of the pastor of the Holy Trinity Church in Chicago, which Obama attended with his family, refused to die down. But at the end of one more grueling day, the Jewish staffers, including Arun Chaudhary, the videographer who documented Obama's campaign and who is half-Jewish, half-Indian, and Eric Lesser, a former baggage handler on the campaign trail who has since become senior adviser David Axelrod's aide, were determined to keep the tradition.
Most of the people at the seder were not Jewish, but some continued with Obama to the White House, among them senior adviser Valerie Jarrett and Reggie Love. According to nostalgic reports of that historic evening, it is said to have ended with Obama saying the words, "Next year in the White House."
The next seder did indeed take place in the White House - on the second night of the holiday, after the president had delivered a greeting in which he called the Haggadah "among the most powerful stories of suffering and redemption in human history."
It was not the hoped-for intimate family event with no wait staff; the White House kitchen went all out. But the first daughters, Malia and Sasha, lived up to their part in the evening's festivities, searching for the afikoman.
Some Jewish community leaders were at first surprised to hear about the president's Passover seder. Hanukkah parties at the White House have become a tradition, but the seder did not rank on the list of Washington events to which one must wangle an invitation, because there simply wasn't one at the presidential level.
Many wondered who would be on this year's guest list. When it turned out to be a private event, most still quickly and warmly praised the respectful nod to Jewish tradition.
This year's guest list has not been released yet, but according to reports, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel will again not attend, while David Axelrod will be there, along with Valerie Jarrett and one of the younger aides, Herbie Ziskend.
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President Barack Obama celebrating the Seder on Monday in the White House. |
| Photo by: (AP) |
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I love the White House propaganda photo they released of Obama at a white house Seadar with Jewish friends and employees. Why did you not wear a yamika Hussien Obama were you afraid you would offend Arabs? Stop wasting your time hussien you already lost the american jewish vote, and also there checkbook.
That is my motto for this President who has lost all credibility before the world. In Obama's lingo, "fight oppression everywhere" means everywhere unless Israel happens to be the oppressor. Fight all forms of discrimintion also has a limited meaning in Obama's language which does not apply to those who suffer discrimination and racism lving under Israel's rule of law and hideous policies.
Let's hope Mr Netanyhu will hear and understand the message.O
It is great Obama had a seder at the White House and understands a little more about the Jewish battle against oppression. I wonder, if Obama tried to go on Haj to Mecca would they allow him? How would the pure Muslims treat him?
Israel IS our yard or at least the yard next door. That is the problem. The State of Israel would not exist without the U.S.'s continuing and fervent economic, political and military support. But our support does not extend to blanket approval of actions which to many (most?) of us seem self-destructive, unkind, and unfriendly. And blind. We know that your government does not want a final settlement aside from essential annexation of the Territories. But God willing, we will not allow this to happen, for your own benefit, and for ours.
Then why don't you explain why the arab inhabitants of ALL of today's Israel are not allowed to return after 60 years in Exile. You claim the Jews returned after 3000 years in exile. So the notion for the right of return should be applied equally. Even by your God's standards.
Which makes the President's plea during his Passover greeting all the more poignant; wouldn't you say?
If the posts here are any indication.
Why Palestinian are not allowed to fight oppression and occupation?
end of the occupation that started in 1967
Empty words for a president who won't let Jews build in Jerusalem on Jewish property. He is a politician after all so no promises are kept. Abdulla it is the Palestinians who follow separation not the Jews. In Israel proper 20% of the population are Palestinians with rights and representitives in Parliament. Gaza is separate because of the rockets and threats to drive Israel into the sea. What would you do?
First I thouhgt, that Obama is christian. But I surprised see, he is jew. Or is it some embarassing theather for his masters from AIPAC? Because, I never saw him on celebration of Ramadan in White House, or on celebration some of buddhistic or hinduistic or other holy days in White house... So, WHO truly rules USA???
tongue no say what inside mind !
Fight Oppression EVERYWHERE? He cannot mean that! Oppression: 1 a : unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power b : something that oppresses especially in being an unjust or excessive exercise of power 2 : a sense of being weighed down in body or mind Oppression = Occupation. Occupation: 2a : the possession, use, or settlement of land : occupancy b : the holding of an office or position 3 a : the act or process of taking possession of a place or area : seizure b : the holding and control of an area by a foreign military force c : the military force occupying a country or the policies carried out by it. Israel oppresses the people of the occupied territories. Israel has become Pharaoh. It is everything it should not be.
"In retelling this story from generation to generation, we are reminded of our ongoing responsibility to fight against all forms of suffering and discrimination," Obama wrote, adding that by doing so "we reaffirm the ties that bind us all." I don't think Israel will take kindly to your message Mr. President.
Heartwarming message to Palestinians... let's hope he is also the agent of their liberation.
Perhaps it would be a good idea for Barak Hussein Obama to remember (instead of arrogantly trying to re-write the message of Pesach) that the oppression of the Jews in Egypt was ended by G*D, through the establishment of the Jewish State by the 12 Tribes, with Jerusalem as its capital. 3000 years ago. The word "Palestine" didn't even show up for 1200 more years after the Jewish kings built the temple. Jerusalem is not even mentioned in the Koran, and Muhammed never once set foot there. And while he is contemplating ending oppression and discrimination, maybe he could explain why, in his view, 25 million Kurds are not entitled to a state of their own.