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U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., holds a news conference in the Palo Verde High School parking lot before a rally for Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan at the school Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012. Berkley is running for U.S. Senate against Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev.
By Karoun Demirjian (contact) 
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Sun coverage
The spate of protests around the Muslim world over a rough and rudimentary film ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad have overshadowed another mounting international crisis that this week began to put some U.S. lawmakers in an awkward position.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been leaning harder and harder on President Barack Obama to take a tougher stance on a nuclearizing Iran. Netanyahu has increasingly interjected his assessments of the president’s performance as Iran becomes a hotly debated issue between Obama and his challenger, Mitt Romney, on the campaign trail.
In the past week, Netanyahu demanded Obama draw a “red line” on Iran and helped fuel a rumor that the White House intentionally turned down a visit with him later this month when heads of state meet at the United Nations General Assembly. (The White House has denied that any such request was made.)
The political haymaking from Israel’s premier has pushed some Democrats to draw a line in the sand of their own.
“I am stunned by the remarks that you made this week regarding U.S. support for Israel,” California Sen. Barbara Boxer wrote in a letter to Netanyahu this week. “Are you suggesting that the United States is not Israel’s closest ally and does not stand by Israel? Are you saying that Israel, under President Obama, has not received more in annual security assistance from the United States than at any time in its history?”
While Boxer’s spirited defense of Obama made headlines, it also highlighted the relative silence coming from other Jewish Democrats in Congress with strong records on Israel, who are doing all they can to avoid taking sides — even as prominent Israelis accuse Netanyahu of taking sides against Obama in the U.S. elections.
Nevada’s Rep. Shelley Berkley falls into that category.
“I am confident that the relationship between the United States and Israel remains as strong as ever,” Berkley said in a statement to the Sun last week, when asked about the tension between Netanyahu and Obama.
Berkley struck a vastly different tone from Boxer, describing herself as “sympathetic to the immense pressure facing Prime Minister Netanyahu as he works to keep Israel safe.”
“But I also know that President Obama is a strong supporter of Israel, is committed to security in the region and will continue working to keep Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” Berkley added in the statement.
Berkley, like many other Democrats, lays claim to the strongest pro-Israel bona fides in Congress.
But under pressure from Republicans, Democrats recently have been tripping over themselves trying to prove their Israel allegiances. It started at the Democratic National Convention, when the party’s platform committee decided to omit language citing Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel. (Israel and the Palestinians both claim Jerusalem as their capital; as a result, the international community, including the United States, treats Tel Aviv as the Israeli capital, headquartering embassies there.)
Party leaders — at Berkley’s urging — later orchestrated a reinsertion of the Jerusalem language into the platform over strong and vocal opposition from Democrats who believe pressing the matter inflames Arab sentiment and compromises peacemaking efforts in the region.
But right now, that’s not the main concern — winning the election is, and when it comes to Israel, the only thing that seems to matter is which party can portray itself as a stronger ally.
That is why even those excoriating Netanyahu are still seeking his approval.
“There is no daylight between the United States and Israel. As you personally stated during an appearance with President Obama in March, ‘We are you, and you are us,’” Boxer wrote in her letter. “Thank you for that statement. I am hoping to hear that statement again.”
Shirley is in a tough position.There is no question that Obama does not like Benjamin Netanyahu. In fact Obama despises him. Obama has done a poor job in foreign policy matters. The riots in the Muslim countries that we provide billions of dollars to proves that. Any Jewish person that votes for Obama is really voting against Israel. A vote for Shirley Berkley is a vote against Israel.
Even Berkley will not vote for Obama
Berkley is smart enough not to blame a Hollywood made film
As America is retreating from a limited role in the Middle East all rule of law is in a meltdown. Without America lawlessness is taking root as extreme Islamist groups fill the power vacuum. With the Arab Spring there are fewer central governments with any ability to control extreme islamist. The US is no longer relevant.
June 2009, Cairo: Obama apologized to the Muslim world saying that post 9/11 "The fear and anger led us [America] to act contrary to our ideals." That would be Bush gathering intelligence and using drones against our enemies and keeping prisoners in GITMO.
Obama still gathers intelligence and uses drone and said he would close GITMO (didn't happen).
June 2009, Cairo: Obama apologized to the Muslim world saying that post 9/11 "The fear and anger led us [America] to act contrary to our ideals."
Obama invited and sanctioned the then banned Muslin Brotherhood to his speech. Obama said under me "The tide of war is receding."
While giving billion of dollars to Egypt Obama is trying to decide if Egypt is an Ally. Obama "I don't think that we would consider them an ally, but we do not consider them an enemy,"..."Ally' is a legal term of art."
9-12-12: As America awoke to the news that in Cairo, Egypt the American embassy has been overrun, embassy attacks in Sana'a, Yemen; and in Benghazi, Libya the America embassy was RPG bombed and the American ambassador murdered by al Qaeda ---
Obama flew to Las Vegas for a campaign money stop.
While the brother of Ayman al-Zawahiri - Mohamed al-Zawahiri was at the riot at the American Embassy in Cairo offering on TV a faux peace plan.
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Classic misdirection: Hillary and Obama are blaming an Egyptian's made in Hollywood 6 month old "Innocence of Muslims" U-Tube video for all the violent. really??? Every time Obama or Hillary or Jay Carney brings the Hollywood movie up it elevates it in the minds in Islamic World.
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Of course Obama who has not participated in a daily security brief since September 5th knew nothing of the situation on the ground and can not be blamed.
Ms. Demirjian,
Respectfully, that three-way image is one I prefer not to have on this Sunday morning.
Regards,
Purgatory
Israel is doing very well, worry about Nevada
Barbara Boxer said it well!!! Anyone following the Israel and Iran's nuclear issue will know Israel must take a hard stance. There's an awareness if Israel were to strike Iran, this would galvanize Arabs against Israel. More importantly this would divert attention from the Syria crisis.
Netanyahu's motive of suggesting the Obama Administration is not aboard with Israel stinks of politics, more like interference during one the more important elections in our life time.
Reading the tea-leaves in Washington it appears al-Qaeda, and affiliated groups, are being cornered by the relentless attacks from US drone strikes. Al-Qaeda is reaching out to anyone and anything to turn the Middle East into zone of terror.
Even Berkley's trying to jump the chameleon party's ship. (Bush's fault)
Ms. Berkley and Jewish Democrats MUST stand, defend, and fight for Israel. When will all liberal democrats, Jews and others, realize what a mistake Obama is. Look at the entire Middle East; all of this wave of violence has nothing to do with that 'little ' seen you tube film. It is a turning against the White House and Obama's Foreign Policy or lack thereof. Israel will take the hard stance, and will Obama turn his back on Jews after the US has stood by this most important ally for decades. Or, is it finally realistic that he might just be a Muslim.
Comment removed by moderator. Same (or similar) comment posted on multiple stories.
"Obama is a steady hand on a troubled sea!"... GOOD GRIEF.
Israel likely does not have the military capacity to destroy all of the underground nuclear facilities which is probably why Ben is here. They can likely set the program back a couple of years but cannot destroy it. If Israel decides to go at it alone they are going to churn up a mountain of anti Israeli sentiment beyond what is already there.
We can't be Israel's babysitter. We have our own problems.
We need to back Israels play. The middle east hates us already, let's roll.
This administration acts like a castrated goat. All noise and no action. The ignorance of our foes is only outdone by the ignorance of the POTUS.
Sadly, the Islamic religion has reduced the societies that brought us complex math to cave dwelling illiterates who can be fomented into action by the simplest of reasons.
They only understand power. Mr. President I urge you to spin up the bombers.
....Obama not only destroys US economy but our foreign relations as well. Dozens of countries in the middle east chanting "death to America, death to Israel, death to Obama"...4 American's assassinated on 9/11 at the embassy in Lybia. This hasn't happened since Carter in 1979 ( another weak US president )..
Of the thousands of rioters burning the American flag's you don't see one sign that says anything about a movie or the producer from Egypt who made it.
Four years of Obama and this is what we get. The USA is hated more than ever today, the USA economy is destroyed by Obama raising the unemployment numbers, adding 6 trillion to the deficit, gas prices double under Obama, now record numbers in poverty. Obama promised to lower unemployment and to cut the deficit in half and he would also bring peace...Obama's apology tour would make muslims like us...
CLICK THIS LINK BELOW TO HEAR OBAMA ON VIDEO SAY HE "WILL CURE MUSLIM HOSTILITY"
Quote Candidate Obama 11/21`/07 - http://www.breitbart.com/Br...
Obama the biggest failure ever.....
"Ms. Berkley and Jewish Democrats MUST stand, defend, and fight for Israel."
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There are planes that leave everyday from NYC to Tel Aviv. If they feel that strongly they can go and fight. It is not the USA's job or responsibility to bomb every Middle East country to make sure Israel is safe. Israel can handle itself. They have done it before and they can do it again. We have far too many domestic problems to be the worlds babysitter.
Would seem like there's another Korea-Vietnam-Iraq-Afghanistan on the way if Berkley gets into higher office.
And for all the same resons that we got in those wars: pure stupidity on the politicians' part.
Maybe she would be better off running for the Senate from Tel Aviv.
Looks like we have enough crippled up Vets to last for awhile so not much use making more of 'em.
Netanyahu is basically a Republican (Lakud Party) and is trying to influence our election. He is also putting Israel in a corner in world opinion with his fanatical,"Only Israel can have A bombs stance" and and would be wise to get peace process going in regards to Palestinians. Berkley,unfortunately should be in the Knesset,becuase that is where her allegiance comes first and I will be sure to vote for the Democrats this fall with the exception of Berkley.
Netanyahu's party let the murderer of Rabin get married and conceive a son in prison. Not much of a punishment is it? The assassination was something the Israeli right wing has done a wink and a nod routine. They look the other way when it comes to extremist activities in Israel.
We have all these kids coming home maimed, in boxes, body parts missing, head trauma...I'm tired of seeing our boys fighting wars for someone else's benefit. Take care of your own. We have been in Afghanistan far too long. We invaded Iraq on the basis of WMD's when they had none. Now Bibi is here trying to incite the population in America that we need to support Israel...we already do support Israel!! They are the number one recipient of foreign aid. Between Israel and Egypt they received 1/3 of all US aid. Enough. Stand on your own.
The Defense Budget must be up for renewal.
Imagine a World without the Middle East. I am so tired of hearing about Israel. Boring.
Obama has and is turning his back on Israel! Given the situation in the Middle East Obama should have cancelled all of his social tour and met with Netanyahu! This has definitely been a snub!
"Dozens of countries in the middle east chanting "death to America, death to Israel, death to Obama"...4 American's assassinated on 9/11 at the embassy in Lybia. This hasn't happened since Carter in 1979 ( another weak US president )."
False
1983: US Embassy in Beirut bombed (17 Americans killed)
1983: Car bomb at US Embassy in Kuwait
1987: Car bomb at US embassy in Rome
1990: US Embassy in Tel Aviv attack averted
1998: US embassy in Kenya (8 americans killed)
2002: US consulate in Karachi bombed
2004: US Embassy in Uzbekistan bombed
2004 US consulate in Saudi Arabia stormed by gunmen
2006: US Embassy in Syria attacked by gunmen
2007: US Embassy in Athens had a grenade launched into it
2008: (Feb) US Embassy in Serbia set fire to
2008: (Sept) US Embassy in Yemen bombed.
Man, with so many attacks on US Embassies/consulates during the Bush years, he must have been a "weak" foreign policy president too.
Embassies are attacked all the time, they always have been. There are daily threats against US Embassy personnel and their families. There always have been, there always will be. It's also not limited to Middle East Embassies/Consulates. It happens at Embassies in ALL countries- allies and foes alike. People picket and protest at Embassies all the time. It's the norm.
The threats and attacks are not a reflection on foreign policy. They are carried out by a small, violent minority of people. That's why the security is so high, Marines guard them, and security drills are the norm.
As for Israel, Romney doesn't even know the US Embassy is in Tel Av-iv because it's the capital- and not Jerusalem; why Jerusalem isn't the capital, or that the West bank isn't solely in Israel. He has no clue about the history of Israel and Palestine. Watch the interview with Wolf Blitzer. That's a foreign policy catastrophe waiting to happen if he gets in the White House.
Finally, Obama hasn't turned his back on Israel and we are still strong as a nation. Just because we are no longer a bully, doesn't mean we aren't strong. Bullies aren't strong, they are weak. Strength in foreign policy is knowing when to use strength, and when not to.
The biggest disappointment with regards to O's ME policy is that it isn't any more successful in defusing tensions than was Bush's or Clinton's, and may have turned things for the worse (Arab spring turning to winter?) Combined with his failed energy & economic policies and feckless defense policies, the risks to America both domestically and internationally have become nearly unmanagable -- and he's just not proving any kind of vision or leadership that would lead one to believe that he any coherent ideas for the future beyond four more years of the same. But off we go -- to Letterman and the "Pimp with a Limp". :-(
Israel has and always will be our true enemy. The Zionists have been directly responsible for our involvement in WW1 and indirectly in WW2, and the rise of Bolshevism which caused 100 years of brutal repression and conflicts.
Let us never forget their blatant attack on the USS Liberty which caused the death of 33 US servicemen, and their manipulation of our economy which has us on the brink of ruin.
Time to free ourselves of the Israeli chains, and once again become a constitutional republic, never bowing to a foreign power or influence.
Why do we want our AMERICAN president and congressmen pledging allegiance to a foreign country?? We need our leaders to do what's right for the UNITED STATES, not Israel.
All the rhetoric about "red lines" against Iran is just that: rhetoric. Where is Netenyahu's "red line" against Iran? He hasn't drawn one. Obama drew a "red line" some time ago: (Paraphrased), "we will not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons." There is no ambiguity in that statement.
Iran is on the record as saying that any attack on their country by Israel will result in a massive retaliation, via missiles, (non nuclear), upon Israel. I believe what they say, and these missles would come from many angles: Hezbollah, Hamas and Iran itself.
Israel admits that a unilateral attack on Iran would merely delay their nuclear program, not destroy it. Hence their posturing about "red lines". They know that without US participation, their attack would fail in its purpose: destroying Iran's nuclear aspirations.
The willingness of many commentators on this blog to engage in yet another war in the middle east is breathtaking. Especially from those who would have no "skin" in the game. How many of you would enlist to fight this war? Would all of you support a return to national military conscription? It would have to happen to have any chance of winning a ground war in Iran. Would all of you support use of nuclear weapons by the US against Iran? The consequences of that are unimaginable.
Mr. Netanyahu will not be drawing his country's own "red line" for now. He should remove himself from our politics and quit trying to shape the presidential election for his own selfish reasons.