MJ Rosenberg has a fabulous post on TPM today advising Obama, whom he met with last year, not to go to the Holy Land:
The one substantive suggestion arising from this screed is that Obama
visit Israel. No way. I admire the US secret service but the
religion/racial fueled hate for Obama in Israel (and the Rabin
experience) tells me he should not go there until Israel comes to its
senses.
Also, why should he? Presidents do not have to traipse over to foreign
countries to explain themselves. America's treatment of the Arabs for
decades made a trip necessary. But 60 years of nonstop love from the
US, coupled with massive foreign aid is enough of a valentine. In
general, however, I do not think our Presidents should visit countries
where a sizable chunk of the population virulently hates him and no
doubt would like to see him dead.
Some Israelis said about Rabin, before he was killed, what they are now saying about Obama. And the number of death threats against Ariel Sharon skyrocketed when he pulled the settlers out of Gaza. I have long spoken about the role of Israeli assassinations of counter-voices, from de Haan to Arlosoroff to Bernadotte to Rabin. Bang-Bang, You're Right Wing!
Tough Israel of my childhood. Rude Israel. All sold as charming– but what has Israel become? Rosenberg links Max Blumenthal's video from Tel Aviv.
