Obama Misses the Point (Again)

Last week, President Obama addressed the Israeli people via an exclusive interview given to Israel's Channel 2 TV. He said the reason we Israelis distrust him, is because his name is "Hussein."

Actually, I couldn't care less what his name is, be it Richard, Jimmy, Ronald, George, William, Abraham or Jameel.

What I do care about is how he relates to the State of Israel and it's leaders.

I do care about that due to political correctness he removes "radical Islam" from the lexicon of terror.

I do care that he considers my home in Israel to be an obstacle to peace.

I do care that he is against the building of Jewish homes in Jerusalem.

I do care that he sends US generals to train and build a Palestinian army, which may very well turn their arms against Israeli soldiers...and civilians.

Professor Barry Rubin analyzes Obama's insulting and childish accusation:

First, let's remember that Obama's first name is Barack, which is as much of Semitic language derivation as Hussein. Of course, that first name is found in Hebrew as well as Arabic. After all, Israel's defense minister is Ehud Barak and my Hebrew name sound the same though there are two different roots involved, while Hussein is more distinctively Arabic. But still, Obama's lack of awareness about the implications of his own name doesn't indicate a great depth of knowledge about the Middle East.

Second, Obama was initially--when he had the same name as he does now--quite popular in Israel as polls show. Only when he evinced hostility did the attitude of Israelis change sharply.

Third, that same name belies the impliction that Israelis are biased against him because of his middle name. Israelis, after all, have dealt with two famous Husseins: King Hussein of Jordan and Saddam Hussein of Iraq. The former was a good friend, the most popular Arab leader in Israeli history. (Note 1)

So one can be a good Hussein or a bad Hussein. Of course the issue with this third Hussein is his policies. And that's why I find his saying this thing far more upsetting.

I'd respect Obama more, and perhaps trust him a little more, if he had said something like this:

We've had our differences and we don't see everything the same way. But we are so fundamentally on the same side that our friendship and alliance will overcome these smaller issues. And, of course, we know that our mutual enemies are out to destroy us and favor totalitarian dictatorship rather than democracy. (Read it all here)

It's unfortunate that instead of appealing to reason and rationale, President Obama played the "I have a Muslim sounding name" card, which is irrelevant to the vast majority of Israelis. Israel cares more about actions and politics, than names.

In Israel this summer?

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