Israel to warn Obama against Iraqi withdrawal

[Scurrilous]

Democratic candidate to receive privileged welcome upon landing in Israel on Tuesday, political echelon expected to confront him with recent backtracking on Jerusalem's unity, concern over Iraqi withdrawal plans. British PM already in Israel for short visit, agenda to center mostly on Iran

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3570288,00.html

<snip>

"Jerusalem is faced with pursuing several crucial strategic objectives pertaining to the Iranian nuclear threat this week as it prepares for two high-profile state visits.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown landed in Israel on Saturday evening for a two-day visit and US Democratic candidate Barack Obama is expected here on Tuesday afternoon as part of his overseas campaign tour.

The Israeli leg of Senator Obama's trip will follow stops in Afghanistan, Iraq and Jordan. He is scheduled to meet with President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Opposition Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu. He will also travel to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas."

<snip>

"In Israel most will focus on two key themes during Obama's tour. The first of these is the candidate's decision to backtrack on statements he made during a speech before AIPAC regarding Jerusalem's status as a unified city."

<snip>

"The second matter at hand is the continued presence of American troops in Iraq. Israel is concerned a hasty withdrawal by the US will strengthen Iran and further destabilize the Middle East. Obama has promised voters that, if elected, he will immediately start implementing a 16-month timetable to withdraw all American troops from Iraq. The senator has said the war there cannot be won and US involvement in Iraq is what is preventing Washington from dealing with the Al-Qaeda terror threat on the Afghan-Pakistani border and the Iranian threat."

[Mind_your_head]

1. Tread carefully Mr.. Obama

Peace,
M_Y_H

[IndianaGreen]

2. American GIs should not risk their lives for a bunch of rightwingers in Israel

I don't see Bibi Netanyahu going off to war, or any of his family.

[LeftishBrit]

5. Netanyahu is a vicious right-winger who was, and may be again, a very bad leader. BUT.....

your implication that he is a coward who lets others fight for him is unfair. In Israel, military service is universal, and Netanyahu has served in the military, and so now would any of his family members of military age. His brother was killed during Operation Entebbe in 1976.

There are plenty of things to attack the Israeli Right over, but not that.

For that matter, I haven't seen Tony Blair or George Bush, or their military-age children, volunteering to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan.

[Purveyor]

6. Actually Netanyahu had a nephew that refused 'national service'...

Netanyahu nephew jailed for refusing national service - Times Online

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article853258.ece

[Bob Dobbs]

3. Dog,

meet the tail that wags you.

[azurnoir]

4. Smile and nod Mr Obama as much as possible

stick to your explanation about Jerusalem too.

BTW was that picture PhotoShopped by Faux Nooz or what?