Pastor A

Obama’s Faux Pas with French President Is Setback to Relationship with Israel

Journalists at the recent G20 economic summit in Cannes, France, were privy to a story they hadn’t planned on covering.

During a private conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama, French President Nicolas Sarkozy called Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu a “liar.” The insult was inadvertently and eventually heard around the world when it was accidentally carried by open microphones prior to a news conference featuring Obama and Sarkozy.

A French web site reported on the conversation, with Sarkozy saying, “I can’t stand him. He’s a liar,” to which Obama replied, “You’re tired of him; what about me? I have to deal with him every day.” Journalists had originally agreed not to report on the conversation. Once leaked, news outlets throughout the world carried the story.

The White House made no comment on the conversation, but stated, “The President’s position has been quite clear on the issue of efforts by the Palestinians to achieve through the U.N. what can only be achieved effectively through direct negotiations.” Netanyahu’s office also had no comment.

Back in the U.S., the Anti-Defamation League, which seeks to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all citizens, said it was “deeply disappointed and saddened” by the conversation, warning that it could hurt ties between Israel and two key players in the Middle East peace process.

A Comment From FOI Executive Director, Bill Sutter

“As some in the U.S. have worked so hard to build up our relationship with Israel, this embarrassing gaffe is a significant setback,” said Bill Sutter, executive director of The Friends of Israel. “It’s unfortunate that our own President has been less than supportive of Israel-directly and indirectly-at a time when the country needs her allies more than ever.”

An ingenious example of speech and politics occurred recently in the United Nations Assembly and made the world community smile.

A representative from Israel began: “Before beginning my talk I want to tell you something about Moses: When he struck the rock and it brought forth water, he thought, ‘What a good opportunity to have a bath!’

Moses removed his clothes, put them aside on the rock and entered the water. When he got out and wanted to dress, his clothes had vanished. A Palestinian had stolen them!

The Palestinian representative at the UN jumped up furiously and shouted, ‘What are you talking about? The Palestinians weren’t there then.’

The Israeli representative smiled and said, ‘And now that we have made that clear, I will begin my speech’”

Russ Jones and Chris Woodward – OneNewsNow – 5/20/2011 7:20:00 AM

GOP lawmaker and Tea Party Caucus founder Michele Bachmann says President Obama has defined his Middle East policy: “blame Israel first.”

Supporters of Israel are expressing outrage over President Barack Obama’s call yesterday that Israel give back territory it gained when attacked by Arabs in the 1967 war. Obama’s demand came as he prepares to meet today (Friday) with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.

Obama urged that a Palestinian state be based on 1967 borders — before the Six Day War in which Israel governed East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. The president also pressed Israel to negotiate with the Palestinian Authority and the “unity government” the PA has formed with the terrorist group Hamas.

In an exclusive interview, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota) tells OneNewsNow she is grieved with Obama’s position.

“I think this is a gross error on the part of President Obama,” she states bluntly. “He’s indicated that his philosophy in his doctrine toward Israel is to blame Israel first. For the president to come out now and stand on the side of the Palestinian state, and to stand on the side of returning to the 1967 borders, is nothing more than a betrayal of our friend Israel.”

In a statement released late Thursday in Jerusalem, Netanyahu called the 1967 lines “indefensible.”

Noting the scheduled meeting between Obama and Netanyahu, Bachmann has little doubt how the president’s remarks will sit with the prime minister.

“To do this the day before [Netanyahu] comes to the United States is clearly a slap in the face and an insult to [him],” says the conservative congresswoman. “It is clear from the Bible — and from many people in the United States who believe that God blesses those who bless Israel and curses those who curse Israel… that President Obama is not standing with many Americans across the United States who embrace a pro-Israel policy.”

If the president’s 1967 border proposal were to be implemented, Israel would lose holy sites such as the Western Wall, King David’s Tomb, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the Garden Tomb.

Author and radio host Janet Parshall says when it comes to President Obama’s call for Israel to return to its 1967 borders, one’s heart has to beat a little faster.

“It’s like, wow, are we really as a nation starting to turn our back on Israel?” she asks. “And in the big picture of scripture, this might explain why America is never identified in scripture. Do we lose our way because we’ve lost our soul when it comes to supporting the nation of Israel? I don’t know, but it’s got my attention.” Parshall made her comments today on American Family Radio‘s “Today’s Issues” program.

And Dan Celia of “Financial Issues” says the administration is continually trying to make friends with the Islamic nations of the world — something he says all for naught. “Let me just speak to the president for a moment, because I’m sure he’s listening,” Celia said today on American Family Radio. “They hate America. I know that you want them to love you, but as long as you are the so-called leader of this nation, they hate you, too.”