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Redfairen

(1,276 posts)
Wed Jan 9, 2013, 01:31 PM Jan 2013

Hagel nomination: Israelis ask 'what's the big deal?'

President Obama’s choice of Chuck Hagel for secretary of Defense, hotly contested by the American Jewish community, has received a muted response in Israel. While some echo concerns that the former Republican senator is dangerous or anti-Semitic, others here ask, “Who’s that?”

To be sure, the appointment of a man who is seen as soft on Iran and eager to talk to terrorist groups on Israel’s borders isn’t generally popular here.

Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said today that Israel should be "concerned, but not afraid of Hagel's isolationist ideas." But he and other politicians, including candidates in Israel's Jan. 22 elections, have emphasized that US-Israel ties go deeper than any one personality and have expressed confidence that the two countries would remain strong allies.

“It’s none of our business, it’s America’s prerogative,” said Naftali Bennett of the right-wing HaBayit HaYehudi (The Jewish Home) party, whose popularity has surged in recent weeks. “Israel and America’s bond goes way beyond certain relationships between individuals.”

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2013/0108/Hagel-nomination-Israelis-ask-what-s-the-big-deal?nav=87-frontpage-entryNineItem

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Hagel nomination: Israelis ask 'what's the big deal?' (Original Post) Redfairen Jan 2013 OP
Nobody really cares except Bill Kristol tularetom Jan 2013 #1
There is no big deal. If they aren't afraid of Obama (and they shouldn't be), they TwilightGardener Jan 2013 #2
Pro life Chuck? CalFresh Jan 2013 #3
I found this. Interesting question there. uppityperson Jan 2013 #4
That is a very good point, but I believe he has to carry out the will of the president. hrmjustin Jan 2013 #5
Because the President is for abortion rights. Jennicut Jan 2013 #6

tularetom

(23,664 posts)
1. Nobody really cares except Bill Kristol
Wed Jan 9, 2013, 01:47 PM
Jan 2013

And he is able to get angry old fool McCain on board. And of course McCain is followed by his faithful toady.

I haven't heard his name but I'm sure that dumbass Adelson is putting up the dough for a big opposition campaign.

In other words it's the same old bullshit pushed by the same group of assholes.

Playing the Israel card is just another way to trash the President.

TwilightGardener

(46,416 posts)
2. There is no big deal. If they aren't afraid of Obama (and they shouldn't be), they
Wed Jan 9, 2013, 02:10 PM
Jan 2013

shouldn't be afraid of Hagel. The only difference between him and other (Dem) Senators on Iran was that he prefers multilateral sanctions to unilateral sanctions, and doesn't believe in totally ignoring the existence of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, as far as I can see. In the neocon mindset, this equates to "soft".

 

CalFresh

(99 posts)
3. Pro life Chuck?
Wed Jan 9, 2013, 04:40 PM
Jan 2013

Chuck Hagel is a very strong pro life guy. He will be overseeing tens of thousands of young woman as our Secretary of Defense. Why is nobody talking about this in the media?

 

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)
5. That is a very good point, but I believe he has to carry out the will of the president.
Wed Jan 9, 2013, 04:43 PM
Jan 2013

But you bring up a good point, and welcome to DU.

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