Democratic US senator attacks Obama’s stance on Israel

26 April 2010

The senior US senator from the state of New York, Charles Schumer (Dem.) has criticized the Obama administration’s handling of Israel over the housing announcement in east Jerusalem. President Obama should not have scolded Israel for approving 1,600 new housing units in the suburb of Ramat Shlomo, Schumer said. "What we disagree on is tactics. When the United States sets out conditions on Israel, the Palestinians then say we don't want to come to the table, [thinking] the United States is doing our negotiation for us."

Last week, Schumer had already voiced anger at the Obama administration for siding with the Palestinians. On a radio program he said: "You have to show Israel that it's not going to be forced to do things it doesn't want to do and can't do," he declared. He said he had told White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel weeks ago that he would take a public stand if the State Department did not back down from its “terrible” treatment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “This has to stop,” Schumer said he had told the White House.

On Friday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs responded to the senator, saying: "We don't agree with what Sen. Schumer said in those remarks.” He stressed: “We have an unwavering commitment to the security of Israel and the Israeli people. We have said that from the beginning of this administration.”

 

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Lawrence Kassan, about 1 year ago

Talking peace to the hate sprayed out by the Arab nations against the Jews and the State of Israel, is like telling the Nazis in 1939 to go easy on the Jews and make peace with them!

eweb, over 2 years ago

i am extremely unhappy with pres. obama's stance on israel. i agree with sen schumer. i voted for pres. obama, but as of now, i do not agree with him at all with his handling of the so called middle east problem.

Ketty Vijay Parthasarathy, over 2 years ago

President Obama must realize that Israel has always been a closest ally of the americans. They have stood by the time. Its pathetic that the treatment given to Benjamin Netanyahu is something that has to be taken serious note of. And why should Israel be forced to when they need not to. Israel has every right to go for the construction of housing units in their soil. After all its their own territory and it must be noted that negotiations cannot be achieved by means of conditions which the Palestine has taken advantage of.

Pessel, over 2 years ago

President Obama should review the photos of 9/11 when 3,000 Americans were outrageously murdered by muslim terrorists and see who was cheering and celebrating this act against humanity... yes...the Palestinians along with other arabic sympathizers.

The Palestinians have devalued the lives of others and that of their own people (huiman bombers) and believe thru these violent acts against humanity they will achieve peace and a Palestinian homeland.

I have also been dismayed at the anti-Israel attitude by members of the UN. I think the UN has lost its mission and purpose.

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