The Arab World Needs Its Own Obama
Dr. Bradley Ruffle, Beer Sheva, Israel --
During Israel's war with Hamas, I frequently scanned online forums and discussion groups. Alarmed I was to discover the intensity of the anti-Israel sentiment.
There are those who question the wisdom of Israel's operation and those who reflexively
regurgitate the tired anti-Israel slogans, dusted off each time Israel responds to an external threat -- "excessive force", "cycle of violence", "genocide" to name a few.
Much worse, no small number of Israel's detractors calls for its obliteration in numerous variations: "Destroy Israel", "Kill the Jews" and the now infamous "Death to all Juice" (see here).
Modern Israel is a vibrant and prosperous country legally established over 60 years ago and as legitimate as France, Australia or Morocco. How many people call for the destruction of these nations or any other? Why do the deaf-and-dumb-to-reality
hatemongers of the world single out Israel for elimination?
Part of the answer lies in the Arab leadership who sets this genocidal tone.
Ahmedinejad regularly injects his speeches with calls for the elimination of Israel.
Hezbollah's Nasrallah can't speak publicly without angrily finger wagging and
screaming for the end to the "Zionist entity". Supported by Hamas' charter (available
online), Haniyeh's declared goal is Israel's destruction. Unopposed by moderate Arab
leaders too frightened of Islamic extremists to denounce such hate, this repeated
chorus gains a degree of acceptability with those willing to listen.
Freshly inaugurated U.S. President Barack Obama has energized the American
people. He speaks of hope, hard work, building together, tolerance, selflessness and
kindness as a path to progress in contrast to the destructive, self-pitying, vengeful and
violent diatribe spewed by many of his Middle Eastern counterparts.
The Arab world desperately needs its own Obama to shed its malignant, martyrdom
mentality and to save itself from the path of self-destruction. Israel will continue to
thrive regardless. The only question is will Israel go it alone or alongside nations
striving to achieve better lives for their citizens and committed to Israel's well-being?
This latter dream seems even more far-fetched than a first black president ever did.
The author is an economics professor at Ben-Gurion University in Beer Sheva, Israel. Much of his research focuses on rational explanations for seemingly irrational behaviors, like gift giving, religious observance and terrorism.
The Arab world has its "Obama"... his name is Barack Hussein, grandson born in Mombassa to a prominent Muslim family residing in Kenya for at least a few generations, according to BHO's paternal grandmother, Sarah Obama. BHO doesn't fool those of us who actually research facts rather than listen to the spin created by the Obama camp for public consumption aired on CNN, MSNBC, FOX and other networks that chose access to the "usurper of democracy" rather than the higher ground Integrity yields. I am ashamed of the news media for playing into the plans of the Council on Foreign Relations and the UN for a "new world order"... one that they see themselves as leading with BHO as the conduit or "the bridge", according to Rockefeller.