Opinion | Columnists
Shaping Middle East policy
In a letter to Bush, Obama voices concern over Israel's security.
- By Mohammad Akef Jamal, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 00:08 July 2, 2008
In a bid to woo American Jewish voters, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is keen on shaping his Middle East policy, especially the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in favour of Israel.
Addressing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), last month, Obama voiced support for key Israeli demands in peace talks with the Palestinians. Of course, this support will be provided to the Israelis at the expense of the Palestinians and their legitimate rights.
Obama also criticised the current US policy for failing to ensure what he described as Israel's non-negotiable security. He, however, ignored the ongoing and unjustified Israeli aggression on the Palestinians, especially in the Gaza Strip.
To assure those American Jews who are sceptical about his stance, Obama also sent a letter to US President George W. Bush dealing with his concepts on the Palestinian-Israeli issue. He summarised his policy in three key points, the first being that Israel has the right to exist and defend itself.
Second, the Arab countries should make every possible effort and all the necessary moves to support the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli negotiations to make peace possible. The US support for the ongoing negotiations between Syria and Israel is the third point of Obama's proposal.
Obama's policy does not differ from that of his predecessors, which calls for applying more pressure on the Arabs in the best interests of Israel.
In his letter to Bush, Obama has repeatedly criticised the recent US foreign policy, saying: "Israel's security is at risk, and America's recent foreign policy has not made Israel more secure."
He spoke about the threats posed to Israel by Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas, and added: "There is no greater threat to Israel, or to the peace and stability of the region than Iran."
Clear enough
These remarks are clear enough that Obama is only keen on protecting Israel's security, and is not interested in Arab issues and the right of the Palestinians to establish an independent state.
Like other American leaders, Obama turns a blind eye to Israel's aggressive policies and the illegal building of colonies on Palestinian territories that are done with America's blessing.
Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy in a daring speech in the Israeli Knesset urged Israel to stop the construction of colonies in the occupied territories.
On the domestic front, Obama is one of the most promising and prominent US politicians. He is for a radical change in the US and its foreign and domestic policies, which are also eagerly demanded by the younger US generation.
Obama was keen in his election campaign to tell the Americans that he was listening carefully to their demands, especially the swift withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
We wished that Obama would adopt a more balanced policy towards Arab issues, particularly the Palestinian cause, instead of focusing on Israel's security.
His bias towards Israel, however, contradicts with his call for change. Just like the Americans, people in the Middle East pin their hopes on the promise of change made by Obama, and share with them the same feeling of frustration with US foreign policies.
Obama needs to listen to the Middle Eastern street and feel its pulse, if he truly wants to be a distinguished US president and wants to leave a mark on the White House.
Dr Mohammad Akef Jamal is an Iraqi writer based in Dubai.
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