Spring Break
Sarah Palin: bad for the Jews
Sara Beitman
Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: Op/Ed
Senator John McCain chose Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate and possible successor. During President Bush's reign, Dick Cheney has had tremendous influence over the White House. It would would be frightening if Palin took over for McCain, because Palin has no foreign policy experience, and would be terrible for America's Jews and Israel.
Sarah Palin, who is from the Christian right, is a big supporter of Pat Buchanan, who praised Adolf Hitler and blames Jews for turning Congress into an "Israeli occupied territory." Buchanan described Palin and her husband as "pitchfork brigaders" for him. He said, "they were at a fundraiser for me. She is a terrific gal." When I did a search for "Palin" in the AIPAC (America's pro-Israel lobbyist group) database, it produced no matches. That is because Palin has no record on Israel, one of many countries she has never visited.
People who are concerned with American foreign policy, and particularly our nation's approach to the Middle East and Israel, the choice of Sarah Palin is very disturbing. In this time of instability in the Middle East, why would John McCain choose Sarah Palin, who has absolutely no background or support in this area?
On the other hand, Barack Obama could be very good for the Jews. One of Michelle Obama's first cousins once removed, is America's most prominent black rabbi. Rabbi Capers Funnye is the rabbi of an Ethiopian synagogue on Chicago's south side, Beth Shalom B'nai Zaken. One of Funnye's main projects is acting as a bridge between mainstream Judaism and the world of Ethiopian Jewish congregations. He often urges the larger Jewish community to be more accepting of black Jews.
So when casting your vote this November, consider not only who would be a good pick for America, but also think about voting for the candidate that would support our ally Israel.
Sarah Palin, who is from the Christian right, is a big supporter of Pat Buchanan, who praised Adolf Hitler and blames Jews for turning Congress into an "Israeli occupied territory." Buchanan described Palin and her husband as "pitchfork brigaders" for him. He said, "they were at a fundraiser for me. She is a terrific gal." When I did a search for "Palin" in the AIPAC (America's pro-Israel lobbyist group) database, it produced no matches. That is because Palin has no record on Israel, one of many countries she has never visited.
People who are concerned with American foreign policy, and particularly our nation's approach to the Middle East and Israel, the choice of Sarah Palin is very disturbing. In this time of instability in the Middle East, why would John McCain choose Sarah Palin, who has absolutely no background or support in this area?
On the other hand, Barack Obama could be very good for the Jews. One of Michelle Obama's first cousins once removed, is America's most prominent black rabbi. Rabbi Capers Funnye is the rabbi of an Ethiopian synagogue on Chicago's south side, Beth Shalom B'nai Zaken. One of Funnye's main projects is acting as a bridge between mainstream Judaism and the world of Ethiopian Jewish congregations. He often urges the larger Jewish community to be more accepting of black Jews.
So when casting your vote this November, consider not only who would be a good pick for America, but also think about voting for the candidate that would support our ally Israel.