The Independent U.K. May 23, 2009

Almost A quarter of Israel’s seven million citizens would consider leaving the country if Iran becomes a nuclear military power, according to a new poll.

The poll also shows that over 40 per cent of Israelis believe that their military forces should strike Iran’s nuclear installations without waiting to see whether US President Barack Obama’s plans for diplomatic engagement with Tehran work or not.

The findings, in a study by the Centre for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University, uncover deep pessimism among Israelis on the issue, with 85 per cent of respondents expressing concern that Iran will acquire a nuclear weapon.

If the findings accurately reflect public feeling, they suggest that an unprecedented demographic catastrophe could unfold in Israel should Iran obtain a warhead.

The head of the Tel Aviv centre, David Menashri, blamed the heightened rhetoric of both sides for the findings. He said: “It seems that the violent language used by President Ahmadinejad and his assertions about wiping Israel from the page of history, in addition to Iranian advancement of its nuclear and ballistic programmes, created a real concern among Israelis.”

He added: “The Israeli public statements and talks of ‘existential threat’ used by Israeli leaders to alert the world of its concern could only lead to popular anxiety.” (Continue Reading this Article)

Jerry Gordon comment: The New York Times has a definitive front page article, “Case Against Four Ex-Convicts: Steps and Missteps on Tape” ( a bit PC headline) the banner on the continuing page reads ” The Terror Plot: a homegrown; checkered past”. What is revealed is that three of the ex-cons were prison converts to Islam and two were alleged infrequent attendees at the Newburgh, New York Mosque where they met the FBI informant. The assistant Imam alleged that he tried to steer members away from encouinters with a government agent. Their likely defense will be ‘entrapment’ in this FBI sting operation akin to that used in the recent Fort Dix Six trial and convictions of terror plotters, that we have written about in “The War on Terror Comes to Cherry Hill.” At issue is whether their jailhouse Jihadis frequented Jamaaat ul-Fuqra compounds in upstate New York.

By Michelle Malkin, Townhall.com, May 22, 2009

President Obama’s speech on homeland security was 6,072 words long. Curiously, he chose not to spare an “a,” “and” or “uh” on the New York City terror bust that dominated headlines the morning of his Thursday address. Did the teleprompter run out of room?

After a yearlong investigation launched by the Bush administration, the feds cracked down on a ring of murder-minded black Muslim jailhouse converts preparing to bomb two Bronx synagogues and “eager to bring death to Jews.” They also planned to attack a New York National Guard air base in Newburgh, N.Y., where the suspects lived and worshiped at a local mosque.

Not one word from the president on the jihadists’ intended victims, motives or means.

No comfort for the reported targets in the Big Apple, still raw from the Scare Force One rattling that so vainly and recklessly simulated 9/11.

No condemnation for the accused plotters. (Continue Reading this Article)

Jerry Gordon Comment: Obama’s Iranian ‘engagement’ initiative that he spoke of Monday in the Oval Office meeting with PM Netanyahu got an immediate answer on Wednesday, when Iran launched a new solid fuel missile, the Sajjil-2 with the capabilities of being hidden and readily launched on short notice. The missile has a 1,200 mile range to hit targets in Israel, the Middle East, Southern Europe and South Asia. It could loft a conventional as well as nuclear warhead. Unlike the Shehab-3 missile it doesn’t take days to be ‘gassed up’ with liquid fuels thereby inviting detection and interdiction on the launching pad. Thursday, the IAF and IDF ground forces undertook a simulation of a multi-front regional war that rattled the Arab media and doubtless the Iranian media, as well. Certainly, it was PM Netanyahu’s answer to appeasing Obama that Iran has crossed ‘red lines’ and that Israel is prepared to deal with the threat. The Pentagon recognized the importance of this latest sophisticated missile development by Iran. The questions are did President Obama and NSC staff chief, Gen. James Jones get jarred by this Iranian development enough to ‘blink’ about engagement with the implacable Mullahs in Tehran and Mahdist President Ahmadinejad? The latter is campaigning for re-election next month to pursue the relentless development of nuclear weapons to complement this new missile and strike Israel.

by Amos Harel, Ha’aretz, May 22, 2009

The Israel Air Force held a major drill Thursday simulating a war between Israel and Arab states and terrorist groups. As part of the drill, the air force tested readiness against attacks, including rockets and missiles targeting the home front from multiple directions.

Even though the plan was not substantively different from drills in previous years, it drew international media attention because of recent developments in Iran’s nuclear program and Iran’s test-firing Wednesday of a ballistic missile with an estimated 2,000-kilometer range – which would put Israel within reach.

Most air force squadrons participated in the drill, including interceptors, attack aircraft, helicopters, transport and refueling aircraft, the air defense system and air force intelligence. The drill also involved ground forces.

The scenario being tested, most of whose details remain classified, involved fighting on multiple fronts: against Hamas and Hezbollah, but also Syria and Iran to some degree. (Continue Reading this Article)

What is the timeless statement of revered US Supreme Court Justice Brandeis: “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.”

If Wilders and the PVV Freedom Party win a significant number of seats in the upcoming European Parliamentary elections in early June, then his fellow Dutch may have opined on his views about Islam, the threat of Sharia and troublesome Dutch immigration and ‘absorption’ policies, especially with regard to the burgeoning Muslim minority. Unfortunately, this was totally lost on the Dutch Supreme Court. Notwithstanding this, Wilders and counsel should present a withering defense whatever the outcome of this contrived criminal prosecution. If vindicated, then Wilders could possibly be vaulted to the coveted possible PM position in the ruling coalition that emerges from the next Hague Parliamentary elections. Let the drama enfold.

by Jerry Gordon, The Iconoclast, May 21, 2009

As reported by DutchNews.com, the Dutch Supreme Court has ruled that Geert Wilders can be prosecuted. Wilders and Dutch counsel had sought to dismiss the criminal prosecution matter. This Dutch Supreme Court decision overturns the public prosecutor’s office opinion and supports the Amsterdam Appeals court decision brought by a cabal of leftists and Muslim advocates.

This trial could become the equivalent of the Dreyfus trial of the 21st Century. However doughty Wilders has said that he and worthy counsel are eager to present evidence in this politically contrived courtroom drama. He’s quoted in this article as saying:

‘I am being prosecuted for something millions of Dutch people are thinking… Freedom of speech is being sacrificed on the altar of Islam. But I am ready to fight back with my head held high’

(Continue Reading this Article)

by Bill Levinson

“Tax Audits Are No Laughing Matter” (Wall Street Journal, May 18 2009) reports that Barack Obama made a “joke” about having people who cross him audited and harassed by the Internal Revenue Service. Before anyone accuses us of lacking a sense of humor, we remind our readers that a teenager who made a joking threat to the President on Facebook was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, and most people know what will happen to them if they joke about hijacking or blowing up an airplane while they are in an airport.

The same applies to people in positions of authority whom a reasonable person would believe could put the implied threat into effect. A business manager with the power to hire, fire, or promote people would probably not remain a manager if he joked about not promoting women who refuse to sleep with him. A police officer who jokes about fixing traffic tickets or planting false evidence on people is unlikely to remain a police officer. Barack Obama’s joke about using the power of the Internal Revenue Service to make life miserable for people who offend him reflects on his fitness to hold any position of authority in our government. Here is what Mr. Obama actually said when Arizona State University refused to grant him an honorary degree: (Read more…)

by Bill Levinson

As reported by The Guardian, Barack Obama just equated the Armed Forces of the United States, as well as the uniformed soldiers of every other country on earth, to vicious terrorists and war criminals.

Al-Qaida terrorists and their affiliates are at war with the United States, and those that we capture–like other prisoners of war–must be prevented from attacking us again.

A prisoner of war is an enemy soldier who has, after conducting himself in accordance with the laws of war, surrendered. An Al Qaida terrorist is a criminal who is no better than a common murderer or child molester. It seems that Barry the Community Organizer does not know the difference.

by Bill Levinson

The Left has proposed prosecution of former Bush officials for coercive interrogation of terrorists, and Barack Obama has denounced waterboarding and similar techniques as un-American. It turns out, however, that Nancy Pelosi probably knew about and, through silence, consented to the coercive interrogations long ago. Pelosi now finds herself dancing the Nuremberg Trial Four-Step: “It didn’t happen/ I didn’t know/ I wasn’t there/ I was only following orders.” It’s hard to say it didn’t happen when your own party proclaimed so loudly that it did, and it’s hard to say you’re only following orders when you’re Minority Whip and Speaker of the House.

The bottom line is, however, that torture is not unconstitutional, and furthermore that it may be reasonable and necessary no matter what Barack Obama says to the contrary. Remember that, if you are selected for jury duty in a trial for a Bush administration lawyer, a CIA agent, or a law enforcement officer on charges of torture, you can ignore the judge’s instructions, Barry’s executive orders, and so on to at least hang the jury and cause a mistrial. (See the Fully Informed Jury Association for more about your rights and responsibilities as a juror.) Now let’s look at what the Constitution actually says versus what the community organizer tells us it says. (Read more…)

By HERB KEINON AND HILARY LEILA KREIGER

Sharp differences emerged between the US and Israel over the settlement issue on Wednesday – one day after Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu concluded his first official visit to the White House – with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calling for an absolute stop to all settlement activity and sources close to the prime minister saying the terms of a settlement freeze still needed to be defined.

The settlement issue was expected to be one of the top ones dealt with in working groups that have been set up between the US and Israel to discuss a wide range of topics. Israeli sources said work in these groups had already started.
(Read more…)

By Barry Rubin, GLORIA

This article includes Part 1, An analysis of Obama’s statement, followed by Part 2, An analysis of Netanyahu’s statement.

Part 1. An analysis of Obama’s statement

So what did President Barack Obama say after the meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and what does it mean?

First, Obama went to great lengths to stress his belief in the special relationship between the two countries, knowing his fealty to it has been (understandably and rightfully) challenged. He consciously escalated it by calling it an “extraordinary relationship” adding “historical ties, emotional ties,” “only true democracy of the Middle East,” “a source of admiration and inspiration for the American people.” He then went on to say Israel’s security “is paramount” in his policy.
(Read more…)

Jerry Gordon Comment:

This AP report engages in PCness by not identifying the perpetrators of the foiled New York Temple attack as Afro American and Haitian Muslims. Note the comments of Rep. Pete King (R-NY) Ranking Minority on the House Homeland Security Committee versus the the feckless statement by Sen. Schumer (D-NY) and the revelatory statement issued by the Simon Wiesenthal Center at the tail end of this report:

Rep. Peter King, the senior Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, was briefed on the case following the arrests.

“This was a long, well-planned investigation, and it shows how real the threat is from homegrown terrorists,” said King, of New York.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said if there can be any good news out of this case it’s that “the group was relatively unsophisticated, penetrated early and not connected to any outside group.”

“The shocking plan to blow up a Jewish house of prayer with what the jihadist terrorists thought were C-4 explosives is dramatic proof that the dangers from such fanaticism have not passed and that American Jews must maintain their vigilance,” said a statement released by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights group.

The questions you should ask yourselves are what prisons and Imams converted them to Islam in Jail, what Mosques were these men members and did any of them receive paramilitary training at Jamaat ul-Fuqra camps-see here-in New York State?

by Tom McElroy, AP, May 21, 2009

NEW YORK – Four men arrested on charges of plotting to bomb a Jewish temple and shoot down military planes are expected to appear Thursday in federal court in White Plains.

Officials told The Associated Press the arrests came after a nearly yearlong undercover operation that began in Newburgh, N.Y., about 70 miles north of New York City.

James Cromitie, David Williams, Onta Williams and Laguerre Payen, all of Newburgh, were charged with conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction within the United States and conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles, the U.S. attorney’s office said.

Three of the defendants are U.S. citizens and one is of Haitian descent, officials said.

The men had planned to detonate a car with plastic explosives outside a temple in the Bronx neighborhood of Riverdale and to shoot military planes at the New York Air National Guard base at Stewart Airport in Newburgh with Stinger surface-to-air guided missiles, authorities said.

The defendants planned to “destroy a synagogue and a Jewish community center with C-4 plastic explosives,” Acting U.S. Attorney Lev L. Dassin said.

The religious targets were the Riverdale Temple, founded in 1947, and the Riverdale Jewish Center, authorities said.

“This latest attempt to attack our freedoms shows that the homeland security threats against New York City are sadly all too real and underscores why we must remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent terrorism,” New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement. The mayor is expected to appear at Riverdale Jewish Center morning services with Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly. (Continue Reading this Article)

by Lori Lowenthal Marcus, , May 20, 2009

As Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu entered the White House lion’s den with US President Barack Obama on Monday, more than 100 pro-Israel supporters showed up outside with two messages: (1) No Nuclear Iran; and (2) No Terrorist Palestinian State on Israel’s borders.

For more than three hours sign-clad Israel-supporters sang and chanted and talked about the existential threats posed by both a nuclear Iran and a Palestinian State. The crowd was unabashed in its support, and the vigil continued for several hours.

Based on the current emanations from Washington, many Israel supporters have begun to fear that the present US government no longer shares Israel’s view of what is the best strategy for stabilizing the Middle East. The concern is that the new US compulsion to make friends with the Arab leadership in the region may now trump its previous stalwart allegiance to what has always been its closest ally in the Middle East – Israel.

Although few in the crowd actually believed that their presence was likely to have an impact on the geopolitical wrestling going on in the White House, they still felt compelled to be there. (Read more…)

Jpost.com staff, May 20, 2009

Seventy six US senators have called on US President Barack Obama to continue to support Israel and “take into account the risks it will face in any peace agreement,” AFP reported Tuesday.

In a letter sent to the president and signed by 76 of 100 senators, Obama is told that “without a doubt, our two governments will agree on some issues and disagree on others, but the United States’ friendship with Israel requires that we work closely together as we recommit ourselves to our historic role of a trusted friend and active mediator.

“We must also continue to insist on the absolute Palestinian commitment to ending terrorist violence and to building the institutions necessary for a viable Palestinian state living side-by-side, in peace with the Jewish state of Israel,” they wrote.

“The more capable and responsible Palestinian forces become, the more they demonstrate the ability to govern and to maintain security, the easier it will be for them to reach an accord with Israel,” the letter said.

The letter came days after Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with Obama in Washington for the first time since both leaders took office. During the talks, Obama reiterated previous US insistence that Israel cease all settlement construction, and voiced support for a two-state solution.

Jerry Gordon comment: Iran test fires a Shehab 3 missile with the range to strike Israel and the Southern EU, just after the Netanyahu Obama White House meeting. Is this Mahdist madman Ahmadinejad’s answer to Obama’s outreach strategy? It looks that way to us. Question is whether the US X-Radar system based in Israel picked up on this test, as perhaps did Israeli ‘spy in the sky’ satellites. Perhaps Netanyahu won this round with the Obama White House with the facts of Iran’s demonstration of the delivery means of destroying Israel, threatening the EU and disrupting US outreach to the Muslim ummah. As we pointed out in a post, Obama’s White House shelved tough refined gas and diesel fuel delivery sanctions legislation until the conclusion of its proposed engagement with the Islamic Republic. The Iranian mullahs clearly sniff ‘weakness’. Score: Netanyahu one and Obama, zip.

by Ali Akbar Dareini, AP, May 20, 2009

TEHRAN, Iran – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran test-fired a new advanced missile Wednesday with a range of about 1,200 miles, far enough to strike Israel, southeastern Europe and U.S. bases in the Middle East.

The announcement will not reassure the U.S. government, coming just two days after President Barack Obama declared a readiness to seek deeper international sanctions against Iran if it shunned U.S. attempts to open negotiations on its nuclear program. Obama said he expected a positive response to his outreach for opening a dialogue with Iran by the end of the year.

“Defense Minister (Mostafa Mohammad Najjar) has informed me that the Sajjil-2 missile, which has very advanced technology, was launched from Semnan and it landed precisely on the target,” state radio quoted Ahmadinejad as saying. He spoke during a visit to the city of Semnan, 125 miles east of the capital Tehran, where Iran’s space program is centered.

Ahmadinejad is running for re-election in a June 12 vote and has been criticized by his opponents and others for antagonizing the U.S. and mismanaging the country’s faltering economy. (Continue Reading this Article)

WHO FAVORS a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict?

by Jeff Jacoby, Boston Globe, May 20, 2009

President Obama does, of course, as he made clear in welcoming Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on Monday. So does former president George W. Bush, who began advocating Palestinian statehood in 2002 and continued until his final days in office. The Democratic Party’s national platform endorses a two-state solution; the Republican platform does, too. The UN Security Council unanimously reaffirmed its support a few days ago, and the European Union is strongly in favor as well.

Pope Benedict XVI called for a Palestinian state during his recent visit to the Holy Land, thereby aligning himself – on this issue, at least – with the editorial boards of The Boston Globe, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Times. And, for that matter, with most Israelis. A new poll shows 58 percent of the Israeli public backing a two-state solution; prominent supporters include Netanyahu’s three predecessors – former prime ministers Ehud Olmert, Ariel Sharon, and Ehud Barak – as well as president Shimon Peres.

The consensus, it would seem, is overwhelming. As Henri Guaino, a senior adviser to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, put it on Sunday: “Everyone wants peace. The whole world wants a Palestinian state.”

It isn’t going to happen. (Continue Reading this Article)

by Eli Lake, Washington Times, May 20, 2009

The United States and Israel are quietly forming a high-level working group to assess the progress of President Obama’s outreach to Iran and to share intelligence about the Islamic Republic’s nuclear weapons program, officials familiar with the two countries’ deliberations said Tuesday.

The agreement, reached during Monday’s meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr. Obama, gives the U.S. a clear channel for communicating with the new Israeli government and a vehicle for keeping tabs on any military contingency plans Israel might make if diplomacy fails and Iran develops nuclear weapons capability.

While Mr. Netanyahu publicly endorsed the president’s plan for negotiating with Iran, the Israeli leader has also pressed for a timetable for negotiations and is seeking a firm commitment from Mr. Obama about what would happen if diplomacy doesn’t persuade Iran to end uranium enrichment, Israeli officials said.

The Israeli officials, who asked not to be named because they were describing private conversations between the two leaders, said the working group would begin to examine contingency plans now in case Iran continues a nuclear weapons program. Mr. Obama, for his part, refused to set a deadline for diplomacy, but said he would be able to assess the progress of U.S. outreach to Iran by the end of this year.

After their meeting Monday, Mr. Netanyahu told Israeli reporters that he had “reached a great understanding on Iran” with Mr. Obama, and that the president understood that Iran was a “threat to be countered.” (Continue Reading this Article)

by Jerry Gordon, Red County, May 19, 2009

After watching the White House news conference with Israeli PM Bibi Netanyahu and President Barack Hussein Obama, Netanyahu has drawn the ‘lines in the sand’ on both Iran and the folly of the two-state solution. Obama had effectively asked for ‘time out’ to engage the Mullahs in Tehran, while requesting that Israel offer up ‘confidence building actions’ like stopping ‘settlements” in Judea and Samaria, while the US pushes the Arab Sunni world for recognition of Israel. Netanyahu said he would immediately enter into negotiations with the PA with the proviso that they recognize the Jewish State. That is a non-starter as PA President Abbas has rejected that as it implies ‘no rights of return’ for Palestinian ‘refugees’ languishing as the 4th generation in those eyesores of corrupt UNWRA camps. Effectively Netanyahu has said-“no recognition”, thus “no Palestinian state.” In comments to Israeli journalists at Blair House, Netanyahu noted in this Ha’aretz article:

Another thing was Iran, a topic that consumed most of our private one-on-one meeting. It was clear that he [Obama] understands the extent of the problem, for the world as well as for us, and he is committed to preventing Iran from gaining nuclear weapons.”

He added that in regard to the settlements, we decided that this is something that needs to be implemented through commitments on both sides. Israel has dismantled settlements and the Palestinians were supposed to dismantle terror infrastructure. In Gaza, we dismantled settlements and got a huge terror infrastructure in return.

(Continue Reading this Article)

By BRENDA GAZZAR, JPOST

Arab activists and politicians are slamming proposed legislation that would criminalize commemorating the establishment of the State of Israel as a day of mourning.

The bill, which has been submitted by MK Alex Miller (Israel Beiteinu), would punish citizens with jail terms of up to three years for commemorating what Palestinians and Arabs consider their nakba or catastrophe. The bill, which is still in a preliminary stage, is expected to be discussed by the cabinet in the coming weeks, Miller said.

“We think this is another step to limit freedom of speech and political activity” of Arab citizens, said MK Hanna Swaid of the Arab-Jewish party Hadash.
(Read more…)

Jerry Gordon comment: Here is ace shtadtlan pundit Roger Cohen promoting his anti-Israel Middle East diplo-fantansies from Riyadh, yet. Note his latest spiel obviously cheer lead by the Foreign editors of the New Duranty Times.

So here’s what Obama should say to Netanyahu when he says Arab states have identical fears over Iran:
“We’re aware of this, Mr. Prime Minister, which is why we sent Defense Secretary Robert Gates and others to reassure Arab allies. But the U.S. interest is not served by the Mideast status quo. Our interest lies in new region-wide security arrangements that promote a two-state peace, end 30 years of non-communication with Iran, and ultimately afford Israel a brighter future. You can’t build settlements and expect Iran’s influence to diminish.”

When Netanyahu demurs, Obama should add: “And you know what the Arabs tell me in private? That Israeli use of force against Iran would be a disaster. And that it’s impossible to tell Iran it can’t have nukes when Israel has them. They say that’s a double standard. And you know what? They may have a point.”

by Roger Cohen, New York Times, May 18, 2009

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — A story is doing the rounds in Washington about an Arab ambassador whose view of Barack Obama’s overtures to Iran is: “We don’t mind you seeking engagement, but please, no marriage!”
It’s sometimes hard to know if the Arabs or Israelis are more alarmed — or alarmist — about Iran’s nuclear program and regional ambitions.

A comment a few months back from an Iranian official to the effect that the small desert kingdom of Bahrain was historically a province of Iran sent fears of exportable Shia revolution into overdrive in Sunni Arab capitals. Iran apologized, but the damage was done.

After Iran’s American-aided push into Iraq through the establishment of a Shia-dominated government there, the Bahrain talk set frayed Arab nerves on edge. Prince Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, called on Arab states to “deal with the Iranian challenge.”

The mistrust has a long history. Arabs and Persians enjoy cordial enmity; the cultural rivalry between the Sunni and Shia universes dates back a mere 1.5 millennia or so, to the battle of Karbala in 680 and beyond.
But recent developments have envenomed things to the point that Arab diplomats troop daily into the State Department to warn that the U.S. quest for détente with Tehran is dangerous.

That point will be made with vigor by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he meets with President Obama Monday. After all, when Israelis and Arabs make common cause, surely the danger is real.
Obama should be skeptical, for reasons I will explain. But first those Arab fears. (Continue Reading this Article)

The success of both men depends on stopping the mullahs from getting the bomb.

by Reuel Marc Gerecht, Wall Street Journal, May 18, 2009

Can the United States and its European allies peacefully prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons? And if not, would Israel try to do so militarily, even if doing so greatly angered President Barack Obama? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington today. These questions could well make or break his premiership and Mr. Obama’s presidency.

With increasing vigor and resources, the clerical regime has advanced a massive — and until 2002 clandestine — program for producing fissile material. It’s a good bet that the Europeans have never really believed that Iran could be deterred from developing a bomb by either engagement or sanctions acceptable to all of the EU’s members. Nevertheless, the Europeans have tried, offering generous trade and credit terms while psychologically stroking the Islamic Republic.

Yet as Thérèse Delpech, a leading nonproliferation expert at France’s Atomic Energy Commission, warned last October at a Brookings Institution lecture, “We [the Europeans] have negotiated during five years with the Iranians . . . and we came to the conclusion that they are not interested at all in negotiating, but . . . [only] in buying time for their military program.” In those five years, she also noted, Tehran never implied that if only the Americans were at the table the clerical regime would be amenable to compromise.

We shouldn’t be surprised if the Israelis reach a conclusion at odds with Washington’s near-consensus against pre-emptive strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. In 1981, Jerusalem certainly surmised that a raid against Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor could make Saddam Hussein furious and that he possessed conventional and unconventional means of getting even. But they went ahead and destroyed the reactor.

The consensus in Israel is just as widespread about the correctness of last year’s strike against the secret North Korean-designed reactor at Dir A-Zur in Syria — a project that may well have had Iranian backing. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ordered the attack although the Bush administration opposed it. And in 1967, Israelis believed that pre-emptive action saved their nation from an Arab-initiated, multifront offensive that could have proved lethal. (Continue Reading this Article)

Jerry Gordon Comment:

Hundreds from Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Balitmore and the greater Washington area will be gathering in Lafayette Park across from the White House, today, to Rally in Support of Israel, sponsored by AMCHA , while Israeli PM Netanyahu Meets with President Obama in the White Houase Oval Office. Bibi’s schedule for today includes his 90 minute meeting with Obama starting at 10:30AM. Following lunch, he will be meeting with Madame Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and NSC chief, Gen. James Jones. Separately, he will be meeting with key Congressional leaders -see Washington Post and Jerusalem Post articles.

A brief press conference could be held before lunch at the White House West Portico, assuming there are no major differences betwwen Obama and Bibi at this first meeting.

AMCHA Coalition for Jewish Concerns
3700 Henry Hudson Parkway
Bronx, New York

For Immediate Release
May 18, 2009
Contact: Hillary Markowitz 914-393-8071

RALLY IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL
AS LEADERS MEET FOR FIRST TIME
Monday, May 18, 2009
Lafayette Park
Washington DC
12:00 noon

Meir Holtzberg, brother of slain Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg of the Mumbai Chabad House, who was murdered along with his wife Rivka in November 2008, will address Americans from across the country at a rally on Monday at Lafayette Park.

His message is clear: The Jewish State of Israel will not surrender to terrorism and will not give up land that is rightfully hers!

Israel left Gaza for Peace…… Hamas responded with Qassams.

We ask President Obama: “Would you tolerate Qassams falling on DC?
Would you “make peace” with a partner who doesn’t recognize your right to exist?
The answer to both of these questions is NO.

Supporters of Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, will be out in number to remind President Obama not to pressure his strongest ally into concessions that would compromise the security of Israel.

Israel has a sovereign right to exist with secure borders and an undivided capital, Jerusalem. We will stand across from the White House to make that message heard!