Why is the president afraid of whatever Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has to say to the US Congress? Is this the way how we receive an old ally, while knowing that during WWII the Jewish people lost 1/3 of its population? I feel that it is very understandable that the Jewish people are concerned, and the fact that Obama is blowing this encounter out of proportion turning into a problem only aggravates their worries. After all, the American people want to be friends with the Jewish people and to continue cooperating together.
During WWII, the State Department turned a deaf ear to the reports about the genocide that was going on in Europe. Now we are turning a deaf ear on the reports about the slaughtering of innocent civilians in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and many states in Africa. Our good ally, Prime Minister Netanyahu wants to share with Congress the threats that are looming over the region and especially over Israel, as he believes that our president Barack Obama does not seem to understand the extent of the danger, which threatens Israel and other countries, even the United States. As our ally and friend, to whom should Mr. Netanyahu turn with his immediate safety concerns, if not to the US?
Obama wants to continue the negotiations with Iran, while knowing that Iran continuously threatens to annihilate Israel and is a supporter of terrorist Hezbollah and Hamas, in Syria, Lebanon Gaza, and Yemen. Just recently Hezbollah attacked the north of Israel with long range rockets and killed two Israeli servicemen. Others were wounded. Obama does not seem to see what’s going on in the world. And he wants to shut the mouth of Mr. Netanyahu? Not only does the Administration not want to hear Netanyahu, but it sent professional campaign activists to Israel to undermine the election process and defeat Netanyahu. Is this the way a good ally should act? How can other nations trust us? At this moment, there is no other candidate in Israel who is fully aware of the situation and able to handle it, than Mr. Netanyahu.
I want to remind those who are not aware, that Bibi Netanyahu and his entire family, his brother and his father were very active and caring for Israel’s existence. Bibi was among those who were instrumental in rescuing the passengers of Sabena Flight 571, which was hijacked by the PLO (Black September). He was injured in this operation. His brother, the courageous and daring Jonathan Netanyahu gave his life to save Air France passengers, whose flight was hijacked and routed to Entebbe.
On Sunday, former New York Mayor said to Netanyahu that if he were Netanyahu he would deliver the address to the US Congress out of an obligation to his country, in order to make them aware of the imminent danger a nuclear Iran poses to Israel and to other countries.
“He is laser focused on Iran as a danger to his country, the region and the world,” Giuliani said, adding that he believes the controversy surrounding the speech has been “blown way out of proportion. It seems a perfect time to have him address Congress because we are going through all these hearings on Iran.”
The White House should not punish the messenger if it anticipates not liking the message. Or does it want to hide reality from the American people? At such a crucial moment for Israel and for the American Jews, President Obama should not find any excuses to aggravate the situation.
The writer is a survivor of WWII, whose family has lost dozens of family members at that time. Today, his family in Israel includes hundreds of people. This makes everything that’s going on in Israel of utmost importance for him.
Copyright 2015 Emile Tubiana
