Pro-Obama Article from Jerusalem Post
I say that first, because if you read the Israeli papers (even many Jewish culture papers), this type of sentiment is not common. I was pleasantly surprised at this one.
There’s too much to quote really and it’s not long, but I’ll put up a few.
Mitt Romney comes to Israel for a few hours, speaks platitudes to a largely imported crowd against the backdrop of Jerusalem, mumbles something about Iran and collects a million bucks, rushes for a series of lighting photo-ops with appropriate Israelis and off again, this time to Poland.
He did not come here to learn the issues, understand the intricacies of the evolving Middle East or even receive an in-depth expert briefing on Iran. Grin, flash, platitude, applause, photo, insult the Palestinians and away we go.
Romney was brought here by rich right-wing American Jews, some of whom have endlessly deep pockets and apparently think he’ll be better for the Jews and Israel than President Barack Obama. What gives them this notion is beyond me, as are their claims that a second Obama administration would be a disaster for Israel.
He goes on to mention the huge monetary and military assistance Obama has lent to Israel. The Iron Drones would not have been built without him.
He also says that switching presidents when there’s so much happening in the Middle East, namely Iran, is unwise. (Not to mention Syria, Egypt and even Lebanon.) It would take some time to get Romney up to speed, as it took Obama awhile to understand the complex situation of Middle East Policy. And time is a dwindling commodity, particularly where Iran is concerned, but also in Syria.
And by the way, next time you get into a conversation about this with your Republican friends, mention this :
… For some three decades, Israel has been the leading beneficiary of U.S. security assistance through the Foreign Military Financing program, or FMF. Currently, Israel receives $3 billion per year in U.S. funding for training and equipment under FMF. To put this in perspective, the total FMF account is about $5.5 billion annually and is distributed among some 70 countries. So it is a testament to our special security relationship that each year Israel accounts for 60 percent of U.S. security assistance funding distributed through FMF.
The Obama Administration is proud to carry on the legacy of robust U.S. security assistance for Israel. Indeed, we are carrying this legacy to new heights at a time when Israel needs our support to address the multifaceted threats it faces. Despite these budget constrained times our commitment is unshakeable. For Fiscal Year 2012, the Administration requested more than $3 billion in security assistance funding specifically for Israel, the largest such request in U.S. history. These requests fulfill the Obama Administration’s commitment to implement the 2007 memorandum of understanding with Israel to provide $30 billion in security assistance over 10 years. Our funding commitment directly supports Israel’s security, as it allows Israel to purchase the sophisticated defense equipment it needs to protect itself, deter aggressors, and maintain its qualitative military edge. Today, I can assure you that – even in challenging budgetary times – this Administration will continue to honor this 10-year, $30 billion commitment in future fiscal years.
Kinda makes him a Bushie, eh?