Can Arabs and Jews Unite Behind Barack Obama?

East Meredith, New York,

June 12,2008

Arab and Jewish Americans should continue to support Obama despite his apparent limits in capturing all the complexities of their conflict. He remains sentimentally, culturally, and ideologically fair and balanced in Middle East politics.

His limitations are not only in his knowledge of facts about Israel and Palestine. Attitude matters too. In trying too hard to prove that he is not biased toward the Arab cause, he is bound to occasionally stumble in attempts to reassure the Jewish voter. Last week Obama’s diplomatic lapse at AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) Annual Convention illustrates why an American decisive statesman is expected to stay neutral in Arab-Israeli affairs.

Soon after the Senator clinched the Democratic presidential nomination he hurriedly prepared to speak to the annual meeting of the most influential Jewish lobby. Like the rest of Washington’s guest politicians, the senator from Illinois pledged to the rich and powerful audience his unqualified loyalty to the Jewish state.

But Obama went too far in comforting and easing doubts. To demonstrate his loyalty to Israel, he declared that Jerusalem must “remain undivided” as the capital of the Jewish State. This position is at variance with the current official US policy, a policy which regards Tel-Aviv, not Jerusalem, as the capital. Washington abides by international law on the status of Jerusalem: the future of the City of Peace must be negotiated by both Arabs and Jews.

At AIPAC the presumptive Democratic nominee was perceived to have naively handed Arab East-Jerusalem to Israel. Later, when confronted with Arab criticism, Obama swiftly retreated to a more moderate position. Then the Jewish side was upset by his easy retreat. This incident was a lesson for Obama to resist improvised diplomacy.

But in the larger scheme of things, Obama’s Middle East policy is right on track. If elected president, he may be able to revive the currently stagnated Middle East peace process. He is open to talks with Iran, Syria and their partners; to disciplined withdrawal from Iraq and to decisive talks on a two-state solution for the Arab-Israeli conflict.

When it comes to the Middle East, it is unfortunate that all US politicians are viewed through a framework of a zero-sum-game: what is good for Israel is bad for the Arabs and vice versa. In fact, Obama’s outlook on the Middle East is refreshingly positive and inclusive. He rightly believes that Israel’s lasting security is in the creation of a viable Palestinian state. Obama seems to believe that what is good for Israel is good for Palestinians and Arabs.

Single issue voters are often discouraged when their candidate deviates from their passionately held positions. Arab Americans who may vote for the next president merely through a Palestinian perspective may have to rethink their ballot.

When an Arab-American voter is upset with Obama for a statement that is unfair to the Arab cause, that voter needs to keep in mind that even Black American reformers wish to see Obama more critical of White America. But these civil rights reformers appreciate the limitations of a campaign with a national scope. Afro-Americans are mindful that if their candidate -Obama- invests too deeply in raising civil-rights issues in his campaign, he will risk becoming too distant from the America political center.

When a Jewish American voter is upset with Obama for declaring readiness to talk with Syria, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran that voter needs to be reminded that Israel is in fact currently talking with its adversaries, covertly or indirectly. Jewish Americans who withhold votes from Obama because of his compassion for Palestinian suffering are not serving the long-term security needs of Israel.

Both Arabs and Jews should realize that a McCain White House would delay peace in the Middle East for a decade or more. Another Republican term would reinforce a war oriented conflict between America and the Muslim world. Extended Bush-based policies starting in 2009 may deliver the nation into near bankruptcy in the foreseeable future.

In this election year both Arab and Jewish Americans would be smart to vote as Americans first. This is not to say that home background issues should be totally overlooked. Obama has the capacity and the desire to bring peace to the Middle East and offer change to America. If they switch their mindset to a win-win paradigm Arabs and Jews may find a mutual friend in Obama.