Wednesday, February 18, 2009

How Outspoken Can Israel Be About Obama's Decision On Durban2? (Updated)

Shmuel Rosner cautions that Israel cannot afford to be too outspoken about Obama's decision for the US to get involved in Durban2:
My worry is this: Israel should be very careful not to be perceived as an obstacle on America’s road to world acceptability. Unless public opinion is mobilized against this distorted version of a human rights forum by other (namely, non-Jewish) leaders concerned about human rights, dramatic Israeli objection will have unfortunate consequences — either because Obama will choose to take part and give credence to the conference or because the enemies of Israel will be able to argue that by lobbying against Durban it has damaged American interests.

Read Anne Bayefsky for not being outspoken about this is so difficult.

UPDATE: Jennifer Rubin responds to Rosner:

But Israel cannot, of course, remain indifferent or mute in the face of a conference premised on the notion that it is a racist country. This is not an incidental matter. It goes to the core of Israel’s right of existence as a Jewish state.

...Israel simply can’t pull its punches on this one. Perhaps Powell, who thought so highly of Obama that he crossed party lines in the election, might set him straight on this. If not, the chips will fall as they must.
Has there ever been a time that Israel has 'pulled its punches' and has been successful?

Technorati Tag: .

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

If America shows up to the conference, it's an Israel-slander-fest. If America fails to show, it's an Israel-slander-fest.

Nothing changes except that America is giving credence to a ridiculous display of anti-Semitism...

I actually am quite impressed with Canada for boycotting this thing.

Daled Amos said...

Thank you!