The new Israeli ambassador presented his credentials yesterday and tweeted, “Pic w/Pres. Obama-I look fwd to working w/you & your admin to make the bonds b/w Israel & America stronger than ever.'” And he gave the president some cufflinks.
I also gave President Obama these custom-made etched menorah cufflinks all the way from the City of David, Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/eCS1VGChOQ
— Amb. Ron Dermer (@AmbDermer) December 3, 2013
From Scott Roth:
.@AmbDermer in other words from occupied East Jerusalem.
— Scott Roth (@scottroth76) December 4, 2013
The City of David is a Jewish settlement near the Dung Gate of the Old City. On occupied land, and resisted by the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan, whose land it is taking.
Why is this ethno-religious supremacist state giving the President of our secular nation a provocative propaganda “gift” like this?
Well, I guess it’s better than the spit in the face that Netanyahoo gave to the pope.
“dating to approximately the year 0”
There is no year zero. It goes from 1 BC to 1 AD.
I think Israeli politicians need to find a personal shopper or concierge service that can advise them on gifts. A book on the inquisition to the Pope and settlement cuff links to Obama??
Are they really that clueless on etiquette and diplomacy?
Wow! I hope international pressure forces Obama to return these. Now that would be awesome!
A ounce of manners or plain common sense tells you you dont give religious symbols, much less personal jewelry to be worn, as a gift to someone of a different faith.
Not quite as bad, but somewhat like giving a Jew a necklace of Jesus on the cross as a present.
Do they know what “appropiate” means or isnt that in their handbook.
We should not underestimate the significance of what the U.S. administration has been doing since the 2012 election. Petraeus out; Hillary out; Kerry in; Hagel in; Obama saying some interesting things when in Israel; two-state process renewed with some urgency; Kerry saying some blunt things; interim deal with Iran; and some other developments that might be quite related, such as the Snowden affair.
Obama does not seem to me to be a force of nature. He is more a spokesperson. And a good one. Maybe the greatest of the great communicators to date. Case in point: scroll back up and look at that smile. It’s the phoniest, most hideous smile you’ll ever see, especially if you know the context. He maintains deniability while sending his message, loud and clear. Perfect!