Netanyahu Brother-in-Law Calls Obama Anti-Semite

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: In The News

(Credit: AP)

Hagi Ben-Artzi, the brother in law of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is claiming that " there is an anti-Semitic president in America," the Hill reports.

"As a politician, who ran for presidency, he had to hide it, but from time to time, it bursts out from inside," Ben-Artzi said.

Netanyahu's office quickly issued a statement saying he "totally disagrees" with the charge from his wife's brother.

The charges come in the wake of what many are calling a crisis in U.S.-Israel relations stemming from Israel's announcement -- during a visit to the country by Vice President Joe Biden -- that it would build new housing units in East Jerusalem. The United States responded aggressively to the announcement, calling it an "insult" and pressing the Israelis to change course. The U.S. special Mideast peace envoy, George Mitchell, canceled a planned trip to the region.

Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of their proposed state and say they will not re-engage in direct peace talks unless the decision to build the 1,600 new units is overturned.

According to The Hill, Ben-Artzi said that the United States, which sends billions of dollars of military and economic aid to Israel each year, should stay out of the dispute over what happens in Jerusalem.

"For 20 years he sat with the preacher Jeremiah Wright, who is anti-Semitic, anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli," said Ben-Artzi. "When an anti-Semitic president comes to power in America, it is our test, and we must say: 'We will not give up. We are a 4,000-year-old people, while you will pass on and disappear in one or two years. Who will remember you? But Jerusalem will always be secure.'"

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Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by unitedvision July 12, 2010 1:28 AM EDT: I think that the attack is on the unity of the re-building of the Kingdom of Israel. I don't believe that President Obama is apart of this movement. After all, his mother was white. I don't believe he has any real reason to hate Jews or white people. We all know that the move against Israel is much deeper than any President. The question is how can we unite to counter act the attacks and help rebuild the birth place of Gods first born nation? www.uvm-firm.com; Reply to this comment

by lil_d3vil March 18, 2010 4:47 PM EDT

So Obama willing attends Rev Wrights church for over 20 years where anti semitisim and looking down on those who are white is openly preached from the pulpit. So people don't think the guy would of had to agree with the views being taught for attending for so long?
GET REAL PEOPLE!!

NO ONE will attend a congregation for that long if they didn't agree with what their pastor was teaching, if they didn't they leave and find another place of worship.
Obama stayed, that is until was found out what type of theology was being preached as it would effect his campaign.

Sitting on the pews of Wrights church for so long would of effected Obama,as I doubt he can just throw of his beliefs overnight.

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by nov605 March 22, 2010 2:32 PM EDT: President Obama is an extremely fair and balanced man; no slanderous accusation will change that. As for Rev Wright Blacks support him 100% and I invite anyone to name one racist statement he said. He is a man of God speaking on injustice wherever it appears.


by erb0087 March 18, 2010 12:19 AM EDT: Another arrogant foreign bully who thinks his country has a preemptive claim on U.S. taxpayers' dollars.

Barack Obama will be rememberd in the world's history books, moron.

"Hagi Ben-Artzi" is the name that won't be remembered by anybody, 15 minutes from now.; Reply to this comment

by from_the_north March 17, 2010 5:51 PM EDT

Anybody that even looks like they are going to critize Israel is a stamped an Ant-Semite - it is all a show just to get more money.

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by hateisafourletterword March 17, 2010 9:51 PM EDT: And anyone who criticizes a black person is a racist. Anyone who criticizes a NOW spokesperson is a sexist. Anyone who makes a comment about Native Americans is a bigot.

You wanted the PC world liberals, now you must learn to live under the rules you instituted.


by babooph March 17, 2010 5:37 PM EDT: The Israeli govt ,having gerrymandered their nation into a nuclear target ,in such a bitter situation,could be called anti- semitic-no?; Reply to this comment


by sjc_1 March 17, 2010 4:56 PM EDT: The Israelis are apparently not as smart as they would like you to believe.; Reply to this comment

by IndepTex20 March 17, 2010 4:35 PM EDT

"Netanyahu Brother-in-Law Calls Obama Anti-Semite"

Well after all the Marxist in the White House IS a Muslim.......

Muslim vs. Jew = FIGHT

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by IndepTex20 March 17, 2010 5:30 PM EDT: I sure did USA and although I do not agree with all of his policies, I sleep better at night knowing he put in motion the Patriot Act and the War on Terror..........but moreso, I love the fact that it really tweaks your nose!!


by jmca2009 March 17, 2010 7:32 PM EDT: Nazis were Socialists, like Obama is.

IndepTex20, where's the Klan rally this weekend??
by skyk-2009 March 17, 2010 5:29 PM EDT

At Democrat Party Headquarters headed by the Exalted Cyclops Senator Byrd, pick up your hood at the door.