Obama Courts AIPAC by Dancing a Little to the Right

By Isaac Fitzgerald, AlterNet
Posted on June 6, 2008, Printed on December 26, 2009
http://www.alternet.org/bloggers/www.alternet.org/87300/

Barack Obama, who has a history of talking tough on terrorism, took it a step further while addressing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee this past Wednesday, stating "We must isolate Hamas unless they renounce terrorism, recognize Israel's right to exist and abide by past agreements." Hamas holds the majority of seats in the legislative council of the Palestinian Authority, making their political wing the ruling party as a result of free and fair elections in January 2006.

Given Obama's calls for diplomacy when dealing with Iran and North Korea, it seems strange that the Senator would call for isolationism against the Palestinian people's elected officials. Someone needs to tell Obama there's a difference between being strong on terrorism, and isolating a democratically elected government because of pressure from special interest groups.

© 2009 Independent Media Institute. All rights reserved.
View this story online at: http://www.alternet.org/bloggers/www.alternet.org/87300/