The Obama intifada?
Are we seeing the beginning (heaven forbid) of the Obama intifada?
The escalating Arab rioting today in Jerusalem and the West Bank is undoubtedly being stoked up by the fact that the Obama administration has turned so viciously against Israel. Doubtless as a result the Arabs now smell victory within their grasp and may now unleash another wave of violence against Israelis.
Every single one of their recent ‘grievances’ is not just fabricated but stands history and justice on their heads. The ostensible cause of today's rioting, the re-opening yesterday of the ancient Hurva synagogue in the heart of the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem's Old City, is a typical example of this fanatical moral and historical inversion. The Hurva has been under reconstruction for years. The Palestinian campaign of incitement over it carries the message that Jews cannot build places of worship in their own city. And before anyone says any of Jerusalem is ‘occupied Palestinian territory’, it is not and never was 'Palestinian'. In every single attempt to resolve the Middle East impasse, Jerusalem was always regarded as a special case on its own; and from the mid 19th century onwards it has had uninterruptedly a Jewish majority.
The Hurva synagogue has been rebuilt, moreover, because it was twice destroyed by Muslims. Its history, as recounted by Leo Rennert, is testimony both to the uninterrupted presence of Jews in Jerusalem and to the uninterrupted attempts by Muslims to remove that presence:
The Hurva was the the Jewish landmark in Jerusalem in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a magnet for early Zionists, religious and non-religious. Theodore Herzl was a visitor, and so were many other Jewish notables from far and wide. The first synagogue on the site was built in 1701. Jews had obtained a loan for its construction from Muslims. But Jerusalem's Jewish community, mired in poverty, couldn't repay the debt, so Muslim creditors destroyed the synagogue.
But Jewish residents, with some outside help, rebuilt the Hurva and turned it into a magnificent landmark...that is, until 1948, when less than two weeks after Israel declared independence, Jordanian forces moved into the Old City and destroyed the Hurva -- with only the great arch left as a reminder of its former glory. And so it remained for six decades. From 1948 until 1967, Jews were barred by Jordan from even approaching the Hurva ruins, just as they were barred from praying at the Western Wall. After Israel captured the Old City in 1967, the Hurva Arch stood for many years as a stark reminder of a sad chapter in Jewish history.
Then a meticulous rebuilding and renovation effort was begun several years ago. It culminated on March 15, 2010 in the official reopening of the Hurva as an exact replica of the 19th-century synagogue, including the surviving Arch, which is now a permanent part of the new Hurva. Henceforth, it won't just be a dramatic reminder of the past; it will resume its age-old function as a place of worship.
And once again it is the target of Muslim attempts to exterminate the Jewish presence in Jerusalem. Yet Obama, who accuses Israel of frustrating the ‘peace process’ by building in east Jerusalem by agreement with his own administration, is silent over this inflammatory and disgusting Palestinian attack on a Jewish place of worship. It would seem that for Obama ‘peace’ means the surrender of Israel to Arab violence.
As former New York mayor Ed Koch has said, the pressure the US is now bringing to bear upon Israel is unforgiveable. It is an astonishing demonstration of cynicism and malicious intent. Noah Pollak says that Obama is trying to get rid of Netanyahu by pushing him into a corner. But much worse still, Obama’s deliberate decision to escalate what was at most a tactless but minor diplomatic blunder by Israel makes America an accessory to the violence that is now taking place and may get worse. Even this Ha’aretz writer thinks so:
But perhaps what is most important is this: Palestinians see the Obama administration’s decision to attack Israel as an invitation to adopt a more confrontational line. A previous settlement slowdown led Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to exploit the opportunity and make any new negotiations conditional on a total freeze in construction, including in east Jerusalem.
Now signals from Washington have led his political faction, Fatah, to start picking its own fight. A few days ago Prime Minister Salam Fayad called on Palestinians to rally to the Temple Mount to ‘defend Al-Aqsa’ after Israel announced the dedication of a synagogue ‘next door to the Al-Aqsa mosque’. Even the most secular of Palestinian politicians, PLO executive committee chairman Yasser Abed Rabo, joined in the condemnations and warned of an escalation.
The need to defend Al-Aqsa is more than a little exaggerated. The synagogue in question is not on the doorstep of the mosque. It is in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City on a site it has occupied for more than 300 years. But the PA has smelled blood. It understands that the international community will not concern itself with secondary details, such as the fact that the synagogue in question has would no doubt remain in Israeli territory under even the most generous future peace agreement. So why not start a riot and blame the Israelis, especially when the U.S. government is doing the same.
Precisely. Middle America, those millions of mainly Christian souls who are Israel’s staunchest supporters in the world, should be made aware of what their President is doing – turning the United States into a betrayer of democracy, human rights and the Jewish people to become no less than an accessory to terror.
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Melanie Phillips is a Daily Mail columnist. She also writes for the Jewish Chronicle and is a panellist on BBC Radio Four's Moral Maze. Her most recent book is 'The World Turned Upside Down: The Global Battle over God, Truth and Power', published by Encounter.
For a complete set of Melanie's articles click here
Melanie Phillips blog archive
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Laura
March 16th, 2010 5:53pm'Stoked up' is just the phrase for it. American Thinker has a cartoon that picks up on this fuelling of misguided Arab rage.
http://www.americanthinker.com/cartoons/
http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/03/obama_to_israel_drop_dead.html
Simon (aka piggy kosher)
March 16th, 2010 5:58pmEven at this early stage in the "crisis" Obumma et al have overreached themselves. IF (and its a big if) another cycle of violence and terrorism begins, it already appears with US thumb prints on it.
That would be a real disaster for this terrible (mal)administration, just further proving its incompetence coupled with arrogant niaevity in ME and islamic foreign policy.
Rededicating a synagogue to a working house of G d in a historically Jewish - majority city provokes this in the arab mob?
If that truth, coupled with the real staus of Jerusalem and the reality of "palestinian" hatred and racism is CONSTANTLY pushed in the media, including by yourself Melanie, and it could badly backfire for this weird, stinking alliance of Obumma, Clinton, Fatah, hamas et al.
The truth will out. Always does.
Ricky
March 16th, 2010 6:41pmOne term President Obama is incapable of running a government. He can only run for office.
He comforts his enemies and alienates his friends. America's standing in the world is lower than when Jimmy "Peanut Man" Carter was in office.
The Iranian thugocracy must be so pleased he is there for them.
Ira
March 16th, 2010 6:50pmAbsolutely correct - this one is on Obama. But that is what he wants. He encourages violence against US allies. Next, the Fauklands? Georgia? Basically, the rule with Obama is: If you are a capitalist democracy, you are wrong.
Michael
March 16th, 2010 6:54pmThe mask has fallen from the public face of the Obama administration and it is not very pretty.
He is setting up Israel as an enemy and Jewish people need to be made aware.
Thank you for your perspective, Melanie.
Oflife
March 16th, 2010 7:09pmIt is almost as if the world is intentionally attempting to live out biblical prophecy. End of days. Final conflict. Second coming. False prophet of 'h(O)pe'. Etc. Hmm?
blue_&_white_avenger
March 16th, 2010 7:15pmOf course there's a different rule for the rest of the world. Over on the Times pages, there's a report on the recent Pakistani successes in Taleban country.
Using the British Frontier Warfare Manual of 1939, "
in keeping with Britain’s experience of fighting in Waziristan, little quarter was given. “We weren’t able to take prisoners and we didn’t choose to,” said Colonel Yusuf, whose Frontier Force battalion was founded and commanded by British officers in 1846. “My men killed between 40 and 50. Whenever you find them in groups it’s best to eliminate them.” Whoa -
Where's our trusty Goldstone & the UN a-clamouring ??
rippon
March 16th, 2010 7:25pmC4 Dispatches 'Children of Gaza' also adds to the wave of anti-Israel sentiment around the world.
John from Toronto
March 16th, 2010 8:01pmCan you imagine? A synagogue in the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem. What is this world coming to?
Stephen Rothbart
March 16th, 2010 8:07pmObama is an odious fool, Biden is just a fool, but what to make of Hillary. One minute she praises Israel for freezing construction except in Jerusalem, the next she condemns them for it. What a two-faced harridan she has turned out to be.
It is no surprise that since Obama took over, USA's standing around the world has actually fallen below the level of when Bush was in the White House.
Now not only do his enemies despise him, but also his friends.
adrian drummond
March 16th, 2010 9:07pmAmerica should have taken this stance years ago......there's nothing quite so refreshing as Israel receiving the treatment that it so frequently likes to dish out to others.
Augustus
March 16th, 2010 9:54pmThere has been a fear all along that Obama would punish Israel in some way, and no doubt there will be more to come. It must be pretty clear now that he won't back Israel's defence against Iran. Well, Israel knows who its friends are, and it ain't the lefty liberal politicians in Washington or Europe. They would rather impose sanctions on Israel than on Iran.
The brutal reality of the situation is as follows:
1. For months Netanyahu has been
willing to come to peace talks with the Palestinians, while Mahmoud Abbas rejected the offer out of hand. Who is sabotaging the peace process?
2. The Palestinians, with support and encouragement from Obama, insisted on a complete cessation of settlement building
by making everything else dependent on that alone.
2. Netanyahu was obliged, against the best interests of Israelis, to forbid the further building of Jewish houses, but made clear from the outset that
building would continue in all quarters of Jerusalem, because this isn't settlement building, but Israel's capital.
4. America promised sanctions against Iran's massive programme
to annihilate the Jews. The deadline was to be 1st January. Where are these sanctions?
5. During his election campaign
Obama said in front of cameras and a Zionist audience:
"Jerusalem will remain
Israel's capital, and must remain undivided." Why does he then make such an issue of buildings in an undivided Jerusalem? The answer is simple,
he lied just to get Jewish votes. Now he is following the measures which he planned all along. The man is a cheat and a liar.
Adam B.
March 16th, 2010 11:28pmObama - treat your friends like crap, bow and scrape before your enemies.
Well done Obama - America now has no friends at all in the Middle East. What a genius!
Ernst
March 16th, 2010 11:38pmMy prayers and apologies to the great nation of Israel for this obscene American administration and it's foreign policy. My whole life I have revered Israel and her people. And in some unexplainable way, I've always thought of myself as a member of one of those lost tribes. God continues to love and look after His choosen people.
Jerry Bolton
March 17th, 2010 1:38amAmerica! That last bastion of freedom is rushing headlong toward anarchy I am afraid. actually, I am not afraid, I know it is coming and I am saddened, but not afraid. Shame, shame on the people of this once great country for putting us in this awful situation . . .
Dixon
March 17th, 2010 2:44amYou know how bad it is when even "Slate" posts an article decrying Obamas intention to import "terrible" British educational practices.
Its hilarious!
Gerry
March 17th, 2010 5:18amI am sick and tired of reading articles by Koch, Dershowitz, and Peretz in which (NOW!) they weep and wail about Obama. They had to know full well what would happen if someone who sat in Wright's church for 20 years, who worked with Ayers, whose foreign policy advisors were Samantha Power, Susan Rice, Robert Malley, Daniel Kurtzer, Martin Indyk, and Zbigniew Brzezinski, would do if elected. They ignored the warnings, and now they think we have forgotten and forgiven.
mark
March 17th, 2010 8:04amInteresting statement by General Petraeus, to the effect that the Istraeli-Palestinian conflict foments anti-American sentiment, due to a perception of US favoritism for Israel".
If Obama can use military t argue that the status quo undermines US security andthe War on Terror then those Millions of Christian souls may think twice before backing Bibi.
Lets be under no illusions, US support for democracy has always taken second place to its own strategic interests. Ask anyone from Chile, Brazil and any number of countries where the US calculated that democracy could go on hold.
Bibi needs to be aware of this
GaryO
March 17th, 2010 9:13amThe progressive left (as they'd like to label themselves these days) has got the world opinion exactly where it wants – against the state of Israel. They've been infiltrating political parties, academia and of course the media for years, maliciously aligning themselves with some of the most heinous and barbaric fundamentalists, spreading lies and revising history to fit their agenda. But in their plans for the destruction of the Jewish state they couldn't get that final piece of jigsaw in place: an on-side US president, until now that is.
george
March 17th, 2010 10:56amScenario: Six months b4 the next Presidential election in the USA the Obama admin will encourage/push/coerce Israel to bomb the Iranian reactors.( You can take poison on it. )
The Arabs will then go beserk & attack Israel and obliterate it. Then all will be well with the world. Obama will have gotten rid of Iran as a threat and of Israel as an independent voice. Mr )bama, you will rue the day sir.
Deb
March 17th, 2010 10:57amWe "middle Americans" were terrified of B.O. becoming President. However, he is destroying our world so much more quickly than we imagined, in every area--politically, economically, socially, etc.
arnoldo
March 17th, 2010 11:40amIsrael has many supporters on the Centre-Left, including myself, but this hyperbolical posting and its associated comments are deeply saddening.
"...the Obama administration has turned so viciously against Israel."
"The Iranian thugocracy must be so pleased he (Obama) is there for them."
Please can we have some perspective here?
Goy
March 17th, 2010 12:26pmObama practices his innate art of taqiyya in the diplomatic dealings with Israel, while Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is now the laughing-stock of every civilized society proclaiming her masters voice in the evening and her beguilement on the morn.
Stephen Rothbart
March 17th, 2010 12:46pmArnoldo, what part of this did you disagree with? Obama has achieved nothing with Iran. He may not intentionally have empowered the thugs running the regime there, but his lack of action or courage has surely sent them the message that he is a man with little to be fearful about, so the result is the same.
His betrayal of Israel is not without form. He has turned his back on Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and the Dalai Lama to suck up to the odious Chinese leadership, courted Chavez and Castro and so betrayed Honduras, and kicked in the teeth his fellow allies in his own wars, Britain, by taking the side of Argentina over the Falklands.
In every case he has sided with totalitarian regimes against democratic institutions, a pattern he is beginning to impose in his own country by pushing through his Health Care legislation on a bending of the due process.
He is an odious creep.
Raymond in DC
March 17th, 2010 1:53pmarnoldo doesn't appreciate the suggestion that "...the Obama administration has turned so viciously against Israel."
But I ask you. What other nation has been subject to this kind of behavior? Even before the crisis Netanyahu was treated to the "back door" treatment. Now it's a public "condemnation" - a word rarely used - then the personal insult of arriving 90 minutes late, and more patronizing remarks at Tel Aviv U. Then after it's allegedly over, a 43 minute tongue lashing by Sec. Clinton. Then the summoning of the Israeli ambassador to a dressing down by the State Dept.'s Undersecretary for the ME. Then more verbal assaults by Crowley and Axelrod.
And all this over an planning permit for apartment houses in an existing Jewish neighborhood in Jerusalem - consistent with what Clinton had months ago accepted! Most would consider this w-a-y over the line behavior. arnoldo may not like the word "vicious" but Obama clearly saw this as an opportunity to beat up the Israeli PM and put Israel in a bad light.
Dalia
March 17th, 2010 3:15pmThe sensitive Obama 'the White House has gladly swallowed the far worse taunts of actual adversaries, like Iran and Syria. At a Damascus banquet featuring Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah, and Hamas’s Khaled Meshaal, Syrian President Bashar Assad openly mocked Clinton: he joked that he had misunderstood her demands that Syria distance itself from Iran, so instead, said Assad, he was waiving visa requirements for the Islamic Republic"
Simon
March 17th, 2010 5:20pmMark
I would have thought Petraeous' bizarre comments will just strengthen the will to fight against islamofascism in its drive for world domination.
We have seen these pernicious attempts at "linkage" before. This one is ever weaker than most. All these "linkage" arguments are intellectually and geopolitically absurd and niave.
George.
Your scenario misrepresents the obvious outcome. A crushing Israeli military victory over your "arab attackers", causing social collapse in the muslim world that we have not experienced in history. Not only would Iran be neutered but islam would be fatally wounded. More young muslims would rather be western and free in their thoughts and ways than going after 71 virgins. This would destroy jihadic islam.
Not a good result for Barry, eh?
ahad ha'amoratsim
March 17th, 2010 7:03pmTo further illustrate the mendacity of the Arab rioters-- a letter in today's Jerusalem Post observes that restoration of the Hurva synagogue has been going on for years, and that plenty of Arabs were employed on the project; suddenly the Arab leaders are shocked that a synagogue is being built there.
Arab leaders in Israel inspire the rioters with shameless charges that the synagogue -- which is nowhere near Al Aksa mosque -- is part of a Jewish plot to undermine and destroy Al Aksa. (When have we heard that before?)
The US press shamelessly whitewashes the rioters and the Arab leaders by reporting that the riots have to do with "expansion" of Jewish "settlements". housing
a.d.
March 17th, 2010 8:03pmIsrael should put the world on notice that should any harm befall the Hurva, within 24 hours the Al-Aqsa will be obliterated. And then do it, if necessary. You have to fight fire with fire if fire is the only thing your enemy respects.
kate b
March 17th, 2010 10:48pmSo much for Jerusalem being the undivided capital of Israel - Pre-election Obummer.
His admin don;'t even know north and south west from east (the buildings'crisis') - but hey, does it matter? Jerusalem is the undivided capital of Israel.
Solidarity
March 17th, 2010 10:54pmWe are all Israelis now.....
Jerry
March 18th, 2010 12:26amhttp://current.com/items/92325275_final-destination-iran-herald-scotland-news-world-news.htm
Bunker Busters are being transfered to Diego Garcia by the Obama administration. I estimate with 80 percent surety that he will choose to attack Iran himself sometime before the November 2012 election to assist him in rallying the country behind him. All politics are local and so he will choose to destroy Iran in an attempt to curry favor with the electorate.
I estimate a 20 percent chance that he will use these block busters against Israel in an attempt to be evenhanded and obtain a nuclear free Middle East. Who could vote against him with such accomplishments under his belt.
Simon aka pk UK
March 18th, 2010 1:12amSolidarity
Nicely said
Shem Tov in Jerusalem
March 18th, 2010 4:40pmWhy? What's the point? (As if they didn't already know.) What difference would it make? it's not like they can threaten to withhold their vote next time. They didn't vote for him THIS time! Like I've said many times before, while the idea of"support" is very nice and fuzzy and warm, it offers little in any practical way. Think about it. The evangelicals couldn't even save Terri Schiavo's life in their own country.
Hadrian
March 18th, 2010 7:33pmtake America BACK, STOP!! OBama NOW!He is giving the American flag a black-n-blue, Wake up America do you want to lose your Freedom, America is supposed to be the land of the free, Not the Obama way. Come up America wake up Obama, with his bull of a health care plan. he does not care about you or me, WE the people need a change, its time to impeach Obama, NOW!!.
Maddy1
March 19th, 2010 5:17amYou can win a war with spirit. Give six months notice that every military personel and installation in Iran will be atomised. Allow a huge civilan collateral damage in this giant sized shock and awe. These people have killed their own in past wars. For the first time in history a super power can play "Nemo". Allow Israel to clean up afterwards.
stephen maybery
March 19th, 2010 10:07amKeep up the good work Melanie and continue exposing St. Obama as the hypocrite he undoubtedly is.
Frank P
March 21st, 2010 10:55amAdam B
"Obama - treat your friends like crap, bow and scrape before your enemies."
What on earth gave you the impression that the people before whom he bowed and scraped are his enemies?
And do you include yourself
among 'his friends'?
It is time for a reality check Adam. And if today's 'vote' in the Washington cess-pit doesn't provide YOU with an indicator of what's going on, then WE really are in deeper trouble than I thought.
Let's state it loud and clear: the enemy has already occupied the White House having been ensconced in No. 10 Downing Street for 13 years.
Now please explain to me - where are the 'friends' that are likely to reverse either the Long March or the inexorable coming of the New Caliphate?
Glen Beck (God Bless his fervour and efforts, but ...?); Sarah Palin? The Bullingdon Brigade of Bullshitters?
I see no ships - only hardships!
I know many who like me remember the dark days of the Battle of Britain and Dunkirk; they agree that, even then, we were determined and united in our efforts to repel the tyrants and preserve liberty and defend our country. Courage abounded and conquered fear.
In fact, as I watched and listened to the snake oil flimflammer at work yesterday, cheered on by the glassy-eyed lobotomized Obamessiah adorers in the background as he delivered his pitch, my blood run cold. He makes Elmer Gantry
look like a retired deacon from Chalfont St Giles by comparison.
As I have said elsewhere, more dangerous than Hitler, Stalin, Mao and his namesake Hussein. They never stood a chance of success because they alienated even the gullible (or all but a few). Obama's flimflam has gulled the majority in the US here too, I fear. They are buying the lie. The die is cast.
First, know thine enemy. Second, recognise its victory. Third, now what?
logdon
March 21st, 2010 4:44pmObama attended Jeremiah Wright's antisemitic church for twenty years.
Obama was raised as a Muslim.
Obama descibes America as a non Christian nation.
Obama brags of Islam being a key faith of America.
Obama bows and scrapes to Arabs.
Obama praises Islam in the Cairo speech completely ignoring the reality of the global jihad.
Obama is now overly alienating Israel with this fabricated attack.
Conclusion? That he's an extremist marxist muslim wouldn't be too far off the mark.
The US is going through paroxisms of rage as he rips up the Constitution and breaks all rules to get his healthcare package through.
Obama will be toast come the mid term elections. Most likely he'll be removed after the huge Democrat losses.
Israel has to hang in. He'll be gone. But what about the Arabs? And this intifada?
Another Cast Lead but this time finish the job. This is war.
Retake Gaza. Retake the West Bank. Clamp down just as Muslims do with Jews across the Middle East.
World media especially Bowen and the BBC complain? Expel them.
This is now a matter of survival.