Obama: I Stand By Israel

Standing at an AIPAC podium, newly confirmed Democratic Presidential candidate Barak Obama made a speech with a very specific message: I am a friend of Israel.

I have said for a long time that any United States President will be a friend of Israel. They have different ideas of what a friend of Israel does, but they publicly support Israel. Obama is no different.

I worry, with both McCain and Obama, that what is in Israel’s best interest may not be what a United States official thinks is in Israel’s best interest. George Bush looks a lot like Bill Clinton meeting with Abbas and Olmert. Both Clinton and Bush sponsored meetings with the same goal, help establish a peace in Israel.

I just hope our current president and next president realize that the best way to create a sustained peace in Israel involves a big fence, which is still under construction. Both sides will never agree on boarders and both sides will never agree on Jerusalem. The Hamas government in Gaza is constantly shelling border stations, including the Nahal Oz fuel terminal, effectively cutting themselves off from gasoline. Abbas talks like he wants peace, in English, but then turns and says his true feelings in Arabic. In the mean while, Syria insists that Israel return the militarily strategic Golan Heights. These neighbors do not want peace with Israel, they want concessions from Israel.

I hope that a United States president realizes this, and knows what the Muslim world is saying about Israel. Just like in 1948, almost all Middle Eastern countries want to wipe Israel off the map. A true friend of Israel will let the small country do whatever is necessary to defend itself in a rough neighborhood.