Obama Tells Jewish Donors: ‘No Ally More Important Than Israel’
EmailMANHATTAN – During an exclusive campaign fundraiser on New York’s Upper East Side tonight, President Obama offered reassurances to some of his most loyal Jewish supporters about the administration’s commitment to Israel.
Speaking about the “enormous tumult” in the Middle East brought by the Arab Spring, Obama said the U.S. stands “on the side of democracy” but remains unwavering in its support for the security of its allies.
“Obviously, no ally is more important than the state of Israel,” Obama said.
“This administration – I try not to pat myself too much on the back – but this administration has done more in terms of the security of the state of Israel than any previous administration,” he added.
“Whether it’s making sure that our intelligence cooperation is effective, to making sure that we’re able to construct something like an iron dome so that we don’t have missiles raining down on Tel Aviv, we have been consistent in insisting that we don’t compromise when it comes to Israel’s security.”
Obama has taken heat from some members of the Jewish community for what have been, at times, frustrated relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and for his public calls for statehood negotiations with Palestinians to start with the pre-1967 lines.
American Jewish Congress chairman Jack Rosen, who hosted Obama fundraiser at his private home, acknowledged the concerns generally in his introduction of the president. But Rosen praised the president’s record.
“America’s never been as supportive to the state of Israel” than since Obama took office, he said.
Thirty Obama supporters each paid at least $10,000 per person to attend, said a Democratic official.
Obama also attended two other fundraisers in New York City tonight. He mingled over dinner with 45 donors who forked over $35,800 per person at Gotham Bar & Grill. Later, he spoke at a “holiday reception” at the Sheraton to several hundred supporters who paid $1,000 apiece.
The events brought to 69 the total number of fundraisers attended by Obama this year. The at-least-$1.8 million he raised tonight benefits the Obama Victory Fund, a joint fundraising account for Obama and Democrats. The first $5,000 of an individual’s contribution goes to Obama; the remainder, up to $30,800, goes to the DNC.
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OH… PULEEEEEEESE!! —- There has not been a POTUS in decades as hostile to the Israelis than this guy!! — I would be surprised if ANY jewish voter would vote for this empty suit!!
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | November 30, 2011, 11:11 pm 11:11 pm
Come on ABC the New York Times is reporting the OWS crowd protesting the
President. They have the signs and the chants of sell out. you cannot hide it.
I told you this morning this was going to happen.
Posted by: deadwrestler | November 30, 2011, 11:26 pm 11:26 pm
What was it? The French President called Netanyahu a royal pain in the hind end and Obama said you ought to have to deal with him every day. This President has more chutzpah than any other President in history when he grovels at a Jewish fundraiser and claims to call Israel our most important ally.
Posted by: Earl | November 30, 2011, 11:40 pm 11:40 pm
American Jewish Congress chairman Jack Rosen, who hosted Obama fundraiser at his private home . . . praised the president’s record.
“America’s never been as supportive to the state of Israel” than since Obama took office, he said.
__________________________________
What would the American Jewish Congress know compared to a bunch of biased right wing bloggers and posters?
Posted by: Arnie | December 1, 2011, 12:05 am 12:05 am
“This administration – I try not to pat myself too much on the back – but this administration has done more in terms of the security of the state of Israel than any previous administration,”
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me.
Posted by: foggy | December 1, 2011, 12:28 am 12:28 am
“This administration – I try not to pat myself too much on the back – but this administration has done more in terms of the security of the state of Israel than any previous administration,” President Obama.
…………………..
American Jewish Congress chairman Jack Rosen, who hosted Obama fundraiser at his private home . . . praised the president’s record.
“America’s never been as supportive to the state of Israel” than since Obama took office, he said.
The American Jewish Congress agrees with the President. Who will we believe. . . the American Jewish Congress or ‘Foggy’? Tough decision.
“America’s never been as supportive to the state of Israel” than since Obama took office, he said.
Posted by: Arnie | December 1, 2011, 12:45 am 12:45 am
He is President of the United States
But still a slave
To Israel.
End all military support to Israel.
Posted by: Buzzk | December 1, 2011, 1:18 am 1:18 am
Is this really the best you can do, ABC? This event was a love fest of supporters. That these people would support him is no more surprising than that a Tea Party rally would support Sarah Palin. So favorable comments from them about Obama is to be expected.
If you really want to do a story, compare Obama’s rhetoric “no ally is more important than the state of Israel” and “This administration … has done more in terms of the security of the state of Israel than any previous administration” to his actions. For example:
1) His disrespect to the Israeli PM throughout his term of office but most recently in the open mic gaffe.
2) Why it is that the heavily Jewish and reliably Democratic 9th district of NY elected a Republican — Bob Turner — for the first time since Calvin Coolidge was President. This most in reaction to Obama’s belligerence towards Israel.
3) Obama’s call for Israel to return to pre-1967 borders. A call so out of touch even Harry Reid called him out on it.
4) Obama’s decision to continue aiding the Palestinian Authority even when they announced plans to form a unity government with Hamas even though Hamas is designated a terrorist group by the State Dept.
5) Obama’s belief that Israelis building homes outside of Jerusalem was a bigger threat to Middle East peace than Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.
The list could be made considerably longer without any trouble. ABC, you are supposed to be a member of the 4th Estate not a volunteer for the Obama re-election campaign.
Posted by: Don | December 1, 2011, 1:20 am 1:20 am
“Who will we believe”
We? You mean other than those who have a 100% gullibility rating on Obamaworld?
Posted by: foggy | December 1, 2011, 1:25 am 1:25 am
The crap is now knee deep! Obama supporting Israel? This is pandering at it’s finest!! I don’t know too many Jews who are buying this load of crap. And yet Obama suppoorters still refuse to see the irony of this!
Posted by: rightsideofmymind | December 1, 2011, 1:38 am 1:38 am
POSTED BY: DON | DECEMBER 1, 2011, 1:20 AM 1:20 AM
Are you at all aware of the American Jewish Congress and what their mandate is? Did you read the article (above)?
Jack Rosen, the chairman of the American Jewish Congress said tonight that “America has never been as supportive of the state of Israel as President Obama and his administration.”
I think I’ll believe the American Jewish Congress.
Posted by: Arnie | December 1, 2011, 1:40 am 1:40 am
What a load! What about Canada, Australia, the UK???? These are all FAR more important than Israel, IMHO.
Posted by: JACKSON | December 1, 2011, 2:35 am 2:35 am
As usual he doesn’t mean a single word he says. He’s just pandering for votes.
Posted by: jonny | December 1, 2011, 6:33 am 6:33 am
Who is zooming who? Everyone knows Obama hates Israel. Reverend Wright told him so. The guy is nothing if not unflappable. What a phony.
Posted by: newcountryman | December 1, 2011, 8:06 am 8:06 am
I think I do remember Obama snubbed Netenyahu and he was let into the White House through the back door. At least that was the story a year ago. Yeah, Obama loves Israel.
Posted by: newcountryman | December 1, 2011, 8:17 am 8:17 am
“This administration – I try not to pat myself too much on the back….” LOL!!!
Posted by: newcountryman | December 1, 2011, 8:19 am 8:19 am
He doesn’t mean that, at all. In fact, from a US security standpoint, to hear that be said, is on the face of it, a lie, as it is obvious we rely on other allies, far more.
That is just another example of how 2-faced this guy really is.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | December 1, 2011, 9:10 am 9:10 am
More proof that when it comes to politics, lies are fair game. And Obama is unabashed about it.
Posted by: newcountryman | December 1, 2011, 9:12 am 9:12 am
My way of looking at it is if they fall for that line, they deserve Obama. Never in the history of this nation have we had so many dumbed down Americans. If Obama gets reelected again, put a fork in us, we’re done!
Posted by: Wake up america | December 1, 2011, 11:47 am 11:47 am
“I try not to pat myself too much on the back “– priceless. Did he not accept political donations from the palestinians for his election?
Posted by: Lizzie | December 1, 2011, 11:58 am 11:58 am
More TO Israel would be more like it.
Posted by: pat | December 1, 2011, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm
When it comes to voting most Jews are morons and have a strong tendency to support candidates that don’t support Israel. Obama captured what percentage of the Jewish vote in 2008? 79%? Jews that support Israel don’t support Comrade Obama.
Posted by: AAbbCC | December 1, 2011, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm
“Come on ABC the New York Times is reporting the OWS crowd protesting the
President. They have the signs and the chants of sell out. you cannot hide it.
I told you this morning this was going to happen.”
I work in town and saw those guys the other day. Looks like some of them have a clue. I I’ve got $, but no way I’d drop $35,800 for dinner…
Posted by: MTA | December 1, 2011, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm
The scariest thing about this whole thing is not Obama lying whenever it suits him, which is just about every time his lips move.
It’s what the so called media continue to do in finding a way to simply parrot his remarks and challenge absolutely nothing he or his minions say, if they say it, the media runs with it. No questions, no challenges. Just like this story. It must be the truth, ‘The One’ said it out loud.
Posted by: ByteMe | December 1, 2011, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
Correction: Obama has certainly done more TO Israel, but not so much FOR Israel!
Posted by: GFWSR | December 1, 2011, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm
Bend over Jewish Community, Obama want to kiss your a** for votes…..then, well you know what happens next
OBAMA___VS____AMERICA
Posted by: Yep I said that | December 1, 2011, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
There has not been a POTUS in decades as hostile to the Israelis than this guy!!
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | November 30, 2011, 11:11 pm.
Can you please cite some specific things he has or has not done that supports your statement? Just saying ‘he’s hostile’ doesn’t really tell us anything…..
Posted by: Searambler | December 1, 2011, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm
“Can you please cite some specific things he has or has not done that supports your statement? Just saying ‘he’s hostile’ doesn’t really tell us anything…..”
Go easy, he”ll get to stuff on par with claiming to closing Gitmo in a bit.
Posted by: Patience | December 1, 2011, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
Obama’s allies in Egypt had a fine day at the polls. Obama’s pals in the brotherhood got 40% but even more exciting is that the salafis got another 25%. What a great victory for the advocates of misogyny and supporters of death for apostasy.
Posted by: foggy | December 1, 2011, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm
Ah the Jews deserve this SOB… This why I can’t stand liberals. They are so freak’n stupid to believe crap like this!
Posted by: Boo_Bottoms | December 1, 2011, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm
ABC, where is this little quote from last nights campaigning?
“”President Obama believes that Republican leadership of the country would ruin the United States as a land of opportunity, but he’s (justifiably) confident that his daughters will have plenty of opportunities, no matter what.
“Our kids are going to be fine,” Obama told supporters at a campaign event last night. “And I always tell Malia and Sasha, look, you guys, I don’t worry about you . . . they’re on a path that is going to be successful, even if the country as a whole is not successful. ”
Think if a Republican candidate had said this……
Posted by: wheresmymoney | December 1, 2011, 1:12 pm 1:12 pm
And we are supposed to believe this?
Posted by: DL13 | December 1, 2011, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm
When oh When will the majority of Jewish-American voters wake up to the fact that:
1. Most non-Jewish Democrats support the Palestinians and Muslims in general and are anti-Jewish and anti-Israel
and
2. The Republicans, particularly its Evangelical Christians, are the BEST friends the Jewish people and the State of Israel could ever have?
I just DON’T UNDERSTAND why most Jewish-American voters are liberal democrats.
Posted by: Pete | December 1, 2011, 1:15 pm 1:15 pm
This is satire right?
Posted by: Capitalist Infidel | December 1, 2011, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm
Dear American Jews: remember when “collaborator” was about the worst thing you could call someone?
Posted by: Slackard | December 1, 2011, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
Posted by: wheresmymoney | December 1, 2011, 1:12 pm 1:12 pm
He is smart enough to send them to private school.
Posted by: Sidwell | December 1, 2011, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
NYPost Oct. 2008:
“PREPARE for a new America: That’s the message that the Rev. Jesse Jackson conveyed to participants in the first World Policy Forum, held at this French lakeside resort last week.
He promised “fundamental changes” in US foreign policy – saying America must “heal wounds” it has caused to other nations, revive its alliances and apologize for the “arrogance of the Bush administration.”
The most important change would occur in the Middle East, where “decades of putting Israel’s interests first” would end.
Jackson believes that, although “Zionists who have controlled American policy for decades” remain strong, they’ll lose a great deal of their clout when Barack Obama enters the White House.”
In predictable fashion, the press squelched this story.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | December 1, 2011, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
It would be a lot better if posters would actually read the article they’re posting on, rather than just spout their biases.
The articles above presents Jack Rosen, the chairman of the American Jewish Congress, stating that “America has never been as supportive of the state of Israel as President Obama and his administration.”
I think I’ll believe the American Jewish Congress.
Posted by: Arnie | December 1, 2011, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm
Yes Arnie. You have an impeccable track record of believing what Obama tells you. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: foggy | December 1, 2011, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
Yes Arnie. You have an impeccable track record of believing what Obama tells you. Keep up the good work!
POSTED BY: FOGGY | DECEMBER 1, 2011, 2:47 PM 2:47 PM
If you could read a bit better, you could easily see these remarks are not from President Obama, they’re from Jack Rosen, the chairman of the American Jewish Congress . . . “America has never been as supportive of the state of Israel as President Obama and his administration.”
Posted by: Arnie | December 1, 2011, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
Arnie has discovered the transitive nature of sycophancy.
Posted by: foggy | December 1, 2011, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
The American Jewish Congress’s name should be changed to:
“Jews Against Israel”
Obama’s proposal for Israel to go back to 1967 boarders is suicide for Israel. What about Obama’s comment about Israel’s prime minister, to the French prime minister?
Why does not Obama open our embasy in Jerusalem, the capitol of Israel ?
Jack You are a useful idiot, like lennin said.
Posted by: larry | December 1, 2011, 8:01 pm 8:01 pm
Jack Rosen:
By fund raising for Obama you are hurting Israel, as well as the United states. The American Jewish Congress should change it’s name to:
“Jews Against Israel”
Did you forget that Obama proposed that Israel should go to back to 1967 boarders?
This would be suicide for Israel.
Posted by: Larry | December 1, 2011, 8:15 pm 8:15 pm
It should come as no surprise that the right-wing pro-Israel, anti-American racists types who believe Obama hates Israel immediately began to hyperventilate. “[N]o one, not [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu nor most American Jews, is fooled by Obama’s boasting,” Commentary’s Jonathan Tobin wrote today. While Netanyahu has refused to weigh in publicly on this issue, his defense chief has. “I can hardly remember a better period” of American support for Israel, Israeli Defense Minster Ehud Barak said in August. Just last month, Barak said of Obama, “I don’t think that anyone can raise any question mark about the devotion of this president to the security of Israel.” Another Israeli official has said that U.S.-Israeli cooperation on Iran intelligence is “even better than under President Bush.” Even Bush administration hawk Eliott Abrams agreed that “it’s the best military-to-military relationship ever.” And when asked on Fox News this morning about Obama’s comment, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) said “it is true”: LIEBERMAN: I will say first that Israel has been fortunate that presidents and members of Congress of both parties, by and large have been very strong supporters of the security of the state of Israel because of our alliance and our shared values in democracy and all the rest. It is true, and you’ll hear this from a lot of Israeli leaders, that President Obama has been very good on supporting Israel’s military and its security.
Posted by: Questionman | December 1, 2011, 9:03 pm 9:03 pm
Let’s put the language in its real context. Israel is not only America’s most important ally, Israeli and the lives of Israeli jews are 10 times MORE important than the America or American lives. Goyim (gentile) lives are worth as much as the cow whose flesh was ground into your last hamburger. Don’t take my word for it – read the Talmud. America’s boss lives in Tel Aviv. It is out in the open and it is not till America starts picking up speed sliding down a steep hill that the people start doing anything about it.
Posted by: TP | December 2, 2011, 7:12 am 7:12 am
Rosen must have an investment riding on Obama’s patronage.
Posted by: bluesdoc70 | December 3, 2011, 8:28 pm 8:28 pm