Israeli Media Skeptical of Obama Trip

By: Maria Gavrilovic
Topics: Barack Obama

(CBS)

From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:

(JERSUALEM) Barack Obama spent the morning reaffirming his support for Israel at the first of a long list of meetings with high level leaders. Wearing a blue and white striped tie, Israel's colors, Obama posed for pictures with Defense Minister Ehud Barak and later with Likud Party leader - and Former Prime Minister - Benjamin Netanyahu.

He later visited Yad Vashem, a Holocaust memorial museum, where he laid a wreath at the Hall of Remembrance. Obama wore a white yarmulke and looked somberly at a stone slab covering the ashes of Holocaust victims, as photographers snapped pictures.

However, despite these attempts to show that he is a friend of Israel, some local news reports this morning questioned the sincerity of Obama's overall visit. The headline on the front page of the widely read newspaper "Haaretz" read: "Obama Visiting Israel to Impress Jewish voters, Not Israelis."

"Barack Hussein Obama - with his Muslim stepfather and his childhood in Indonesia, his suggestion to meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the leftist image that adheres to his advisors - has raised deep anxieties among the Jewish establishment," reporter Aluf Benn wrote adding that both of John McCain's previous visits to Israel and Obama's visit are aimed solely at courting Jewish voters in the U.S.

The conservative newspaper, "Jerusalem Post" described Obama's experience in the Middle East as "limited," but argued that he could still be a friend of Israel.

"Many of the best friends Israel ever had in the White House had even less experience than Obama before being elected to that office," the newspaper argued noting that both Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton had little foreign affairs experience but proved to be strong supporters of Israel.

"There's a lot of interest in Obama," a senior aide said in response to the both editorials, "It's pretty standard." Despite the fact that a noticeably large number of Israeli reporters and photographers have been on Obama's trail since he arrived last night, the campaign maintains that they are not specifically targeting the local media.

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by fairfield31 July 24, 2008 11:20 PM EDT: No matter what Obama does, it is categorized as wrong. Obama has been analyzed, criticized, rejected/rebuffed all of his life. Black people in America live with this indifference every day of their lives. With that being said, the man is intelligent, and at the end of the day, he will be intelligent, and people can ridcule him as much as they like, but it takes NOTHING from the Man.

The comment by the "Haarerz" that Obama''s visit to Israel was to impress the Jewish voters is as ludicrous as many of the remarks that I have read here tonight. Human beings honestly feel the exploitation endured by Jewish people, and when they stare and sometimes cry for Jewish people, it''s real. Sure, the presidency is important to Obama, but it isn''t THAT important. No one has to pretend sadness in Israel to impress anyone. We know where the prejudice is, but where is the compassion? Where is the mercy? Where is the common sense?; Reply to this comment


by ariel133 July 24, 2008 1:20 PM EDT: Comments that disrespect the Jews on this post should be banned. The comments about Obama that shows blantant over zealous and irrational enthusiasm should also be banned. Fair reporting is what we want, not the propaganda BS.; Reply to this comment


by johnbush2-2009 July 24, 2008 8:34 AM EDT: I just don''t trust Obama. He always says one thing and does another. Senior citizens support John McCain.; Reply to this comment


by johnbush2-2009 July 24, 2008 8:31 AM EDT: 99 out of a 100 suicide bomber is a muslim. This certainly tells you that you would be better off sleeping with a rattle snake than lying next to a muslim.; Reply to this comment


by chika6 July 24, 2008 6:11 AM EDT: Even if Obama is a muslim so what? Does it hide the fact that muslims have good sense of judgement? Or do we say because of Osama bin Laden therefore every muslim is evil? This is racism. Every muslim American should make a statement with their votes come November.; Reply to this comment


by pcimaging July 24, 2008 3:40 AM EDT: What is seriously scaring me is the willingness of so many to look past Obamma''s continued list of things he will say and do just to get elected. He has continually demonstrated clearly that he is a phony. He is trying to do it to the Isralies too but for some reason they see through him as we should. I recall Obamma saying one of his goals is to bring blacks and whites togeather. So why was he a member of an all black church before it mattered to his election? He denounced Wright only after it threatened his election. Hell, once he is elected which I pray he is not, he will be inviting Wright to the Whitehouse. Folks, PLEASE see him for the phony he is . He truly is a Muslim at heart. Maybe others refuse to see it , but it is clear to me. Be careful ...; Reply to this comment


by endofempire July 24, 2008 2:44 AM EDT: Folks, you may feel like sticking in your head in the sand (pun was intentional) will make Barak Hussein Obama''s Muslim and Communist ideals go away. Do yourselves a favor and look into his record. Barak''s half brother has stated publically the fact that Barak Hussein is a good Muslim... Just what we need in the top post. The Israelis can tell a bu11sh!tter when they see one and they call Obama for what he is.
Yes, I know Bush sucks and McCain is a mummy, but having supported Hillary (at least she was born and raised American), I will have to abstain. This fake will not get my vote and I know several folks who feel the same way.; Reply to this comment


by cfin5 July 24, 2008 1:32 AM EDT: They had better be skeptical of BARAKBAR. You think Olmert''s bad for your security,....wait till he''s President and watch the euphoria for WAR from the Muslims! Nothing in the near future hope''s them up than this election. Israel should be able to see this in how they treat as well as endorse Senator Obama. Talk about letting the starting gate down in favor of Islams clear historical intent! Barak as President would unleash their viciousness unto wholesale slaughter.; Reply to this comment


by jimghoulardi July 24, 2008 12:33 AM EDT: I''m no Obama fan but who the hell cares what he thinks of Israel? He''s running for President of USA.
Enough of Israel.; Reply to this comment