Treasury Secretary Jack Lew never mentioned “Palestine,” “Palestinians,” occupation, settlements, or even the two-state solution in his speech yesterday; and still he got booed and heckled at an Israeli-organized event in New York city. It’s the air of entitlement that really ought to disturb Americans in this report.
Haaretz article by Chemi Shalev:
U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew was booed loudly and consistently on Sunday by an irate audience at the annual Jerusalem Post Conference in New York that rejected his affirmation of U.S. President Barack Obama’s commitment to Israel’s security and his pledge to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Politico’s report:
Treasury Secretary Jack Lew was repeatedly booed and heckled Sunday as he spoke in New York City at a Jewish-themed conference sponsored by The Jerusalem Post…
Cries of “nonsense” were heard during his talk.
“I would only ask that you listen to me as we listen to you,” Lew said to the crowd at one point amid the heckling.
Here are some of Haaretz’s Chemi Shalev’s comments on twitter during the speech:
Treasury’s Jack Lew greeted with overwhelming boos at JP conference in NY when talking of Obama’s contribution to Israel’s security
I have never seen a surlier reception to a senior Administration official as the audience showing to Jack Lew at Jerusalem Post meet
Jack Lew deserves a Purple Heart or something for braving hostile JP audience
JP Editor Steve Linde apologizes to Lew for audience’s behavior
Damage controlling, Yuval Steinitz [minister in Netanyahu government] lauds Lew, says without his help Israel would never have been accepted to OECD. “Real friend of Israel”
And you thought the US bends over backwards for Israel? Vetoing Security Council resolutions for Palestine, sending billions of aid to Israel, refusing to criticize the country when it massacres 500 Palestinian children. Maybe this is a gamechange?
In these difficult times, the President has reaffirmed for the world time and time again that the United States of America stands with the State of Israel. This commitment began with a promise at Israel’s founding that has been continued by every President and every Congress since. And like those American leaders before us, protecting the homeland of the Jewish people is something we are proud to honor and uphold. As the President said in Jerusalem, “America’s commitment to the security of the State of Israel is a solemn obligation, and the security of Israel is non-negotiable.” The United States stands with Israel because a strong and secure Israel is vital to America’s strength and America’s security. And our two nations do not just help each other – our vibrant and deep partnership has made the world a better place.
We recognize that the threats to the State of Israel’s existence today are real, they are complex, and they must be taken seriously. That is why the Obama administration has done so much over the past six years to advance Israel’s security. ..
The simple fact is this: No administration has done more for Israel’s security than this one. Under President Obama, and with the support of Congress, America has provided $20 billion in military support to Israel. This assistance has not only enabled Iron Dome, which has saved countless lives, it will lead to the delivery of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to Israel next year. With this stealth fighter, Israel will be the one and only country in the Middle East to have the next generation of technologically advanced fighter jets.
We are serious when we say Israel must maintain its qualitative military edge against its opponents. And we are equally serious when we say Israel must be able to defend itself.
To that end, the United States has been steadfast in its determination to support Israel’s economy. Since Israel’s founding, the United States has provided more than $120 billion in bilateral assistance to Israel.
“Since Israel’s founding, the United States has provided more than $120 billion in bilateral assistance to Israel. ”
Yeah and it is time the donors of these hand outs should be told what the recipients think of Americans.Give us your money and keep giving but keep out of our business.
and who could not forget the U.S. this month junking five years of efforts to advance work on nuclear non-proliferation because Netanyahu objected to having a conference next year to discuss a nuclear-free Middle East
BTW today is the anniversary of the 1967 Israeli attack on the U.S.S. Liberty. 34 killed, 172 injured. For an archive including what Chomsky said about it a couple of years ago see: http://www.thestruggle.org/USS%20Liberty.htm
Maybe Lew should ask the gathering to make a list of what it is that they want Obama to do to satisfy them.
Better order some food .It,s going to be a long night.
Even Lew’s groveling isn’t quite enough! Perhaps a full kowtow is what is needed from the President and his underling?
StephenKMackSD
To be honest, these rude ingrates are only mimicking their bosses.
There have been no consequences to the terrible behavior and actions by Netanyahu and his crew toward this administration and, by extension, the citizens of the US.
“As the President said in Jerusalem, “America’s commitment to the security of the State of Israel is a solemn obligation, and the security of Israel is non-negotiable.” The United States stands with Israel because a strong and secure Israel is vital to America’s strength and America’s security. And our two nations do not just help each other – our vibrant and deep partnership has made the world a better place.”
If I were a rude and heckling kind of person, then that’s where I would boo ~ loud and long.