# Which of McCain or Obama is better for Israel? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 31, 2008, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-mccain-or-obama-is-better-for-israel/470391 "2008-10-31T05:52:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Just](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4af34b/32.png) [@Just](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-mccain-or-obama-is-better-for-israel/470391/1 "2008-10-31T05:52:26Z")
As a non-American supporter of Israel who only gets limited coverage of the presidential race, can anyone tell me what differences lie in McCain’s and Obama’s policies on Israel? I’ve read Obama’s policies on Israel on his website, and there doesn’t seem to be anything too surprising or out of the oridnary there. The only difference I’m aware of is that Obama has said he’ll talk to Iran without preconditions. Have any pro-Israel groups endorsed either candidate? I was almost tempted to ask this in GQ, as it seems there could actually be a factual answer to this question, but I figured it’d end up here. So seeing as I’m here anyway, I’ll for opinions: which of the two candidates do you think will be better for Israel? Or will the election not really make much of a difference at the end of the day? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-mccain-or-obama-is-better-for-israel/470391/2 "2008-10-31T06:31:50Z")
Both candidates have been, as it were, [un-endorsed by Hamas:](http://harpers.org/archive/2008/06/hbc-90003038) > [@](#): > > Well, Barack Obama achieved his goal with his speech today to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC): he has officially been unendorsed by Hamas. > > “I will bring to the White House an unshakable commitment to Israel’s security,” Obama said. “That starts with ensuring Israel’s qualitative military advantage. I will ensure that Israel can defend itself from any threat — from Gaza to Tehran.” Prompting a Hamas spokesman to tell Reuters, “Hamas does not differentiate between the two presidential candidates, Obama and McCain, because their policies regarding the Arab-Israel conflict are the same and are hostile to us, therefore we do have no preference and are not wishing for either of them to win.” McCain is widely seen as having a more aggressively hawkish stance on Middle Eastern issues. Whether or not that is actually better for Israel is something that Israelis will have to decide. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-mccain-or-obama-is-better-for-israel/470391/3 "2008-10-31T06:42:44Z")
> [@Just](#): > > As a non-American supporter of Israel who only gets limited coverage of the presidential race, can anyone tell me what differences lie in McCain’s and Obama’s policies on Israel? > > I’ve read Obama’s policies on Israel on his website, and there doesn’t seem to be anything too surprising or out of the oridnary there. The only difference I’m aware of is that Obama has said he’ll talk to Iran without preconditions. Have any pro-Israel groups endorsed either candidate? > > I was almost tempted to ask this in GQ, as it seems there could actually be a factual answer to this question, but I figured it’d end up here. So seeing as I’m here anyway, I’ll for opinions: which of the two candidates do you think will be better for Israel? Or will the election not really make much of a difference at the end of the day? I think Israelis would say McCain would be better for Israel, and it is arguable, from the Israeli perspective, that he would be. If there was a conflict between a neighboring Arab country and Israel, and the Arab country was the aggressor, I believe McCain and Obama would react identically, and support Israel in any way necessary. If, however, it is clear that Israel caused the conflict and aggressed its neighbor unprovoked, McCain’s reaction would not change. He would unquestioningly support Israel and take Israel’s side in the conflict. Obama, on the other hand, would try to work with both sides in the conflict to help achieve a balanced resolution. ---
**Author:** ![IClaudius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c37758/32.png) [@IClaudius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IClaudius)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-mccain-or-obama-is-better-for-israel/470391/4 "2008-10-31T08:12:12Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > I think Israelis would say McCain would be better for Israel, and it is arguable, from the Israeli perspective, that he would be. You’d be surprised. The sophistication and balance shown in discussing these issues within Israel is an order of magnitude higher than anything found in the United States. Maybe on the Likud right side of the spectrum you would get alignment with McCain - but this is neither most Israelis, nor most American Jews. ---
**Author:** ![Just](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4af34b/32.png) [@Just](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-mccain-or-obama-is-better-for-israel/470391/5 "2008-10-31T10:17:23Z")
This was in a letter to the editor of a local newspaper. > [@](#): > > Barack Obama has impressed pro-Israel voters in recent speeches, but his record is worrying. When running for US Senate, he attacked Israel’s security barrier - not just its route, but its existence. Just one day after he told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee that “Jerusalem must remain undivided”, he reversed himself, claiming that “the wording was poor.” And some of Obama’s prominent supporters openly predict he will change course on Israel once he is elected to the Oval Office. There’s more anti-Obama stuff in there, but that’s the bulk of it. How much of this is true (if any)? ETA: I know the AIPAC part is true, but I don’t think Obama’s position there is any different to McCain, AFAIK. Other parts are new to me, and googling doesn’t reveal much. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-mccain-or-obama-is-better-for-israel/470391/6 "2008-10-31T10:21:30Z")
The fact that the changed his stance on Jerusalem is a _good_ thing for Israel. Essentially, he changed his stance to echo McCain’s, namely, Jerusalem’s Final Status is to be determined by negotiation. Unilateral declarations that Jerusalem is and will remain undivided are a very bad thing for an American President to be making. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-mccain-or-obama-is-better-for-israel/470391/7 "2008-10-31T10:52:14Z")
Alessan said differently from IClaudius the other day. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-mccain-or-obama-is-better-for-israel/470391/8 "2008-10-31T11:13:44Z")
The [numbers](http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3613689,00.html) would seem to agree with him, too. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-mccain-or-obama-is-better-for-israel/470391/9 "2008-10-31T11:16:38Z")
Mel Levine, who is a former California state legislator and United States Congressman, and has been politically active in Jewish causes, including pro-Israel causes, for over forty years, writes: > [@](#): > > . . . > > As a community organizer and leader in Chicago and New York, and throughout his twelve years in public office, [Barack Obama] has epitomized the notion of Tikkun Olam (“repairing the world”). Barack Obama understands that we can only surmount our greatest challenges by finding common ground and nurturing an inclusive style of politics–in a radical break from the polarization which plagues our polity. More than most, Jewish Americans have benefited from progressive ideas and inclusive politics, and no candidate better represents that tradition than Barack Obama. > > In fact, there is something essentially Jewish about Obama’s political philosophy. As Rabbi Harold Shulweis of Valley Beth Shalom observed last year in his Yom Kippur sermon about “Jewish universalism”: > > Jewish belief does not think “either/or.” The ideal of Jewish monotheism is “both/and.” Hear O Israel, the Lord is ‘Echad.’ ONE. “One” means overcoming your split thinking. “One” is the golden thread that runs throughout Jewish thought and belief . . . Oneness is a Jewish frame of mind. > > Barack Obama rejects the politics of “either/or.” He rejects the “politics in this country that seeks to drive us apart–that puts up walls between us.” He understands that we are one. > > . . . > > In addition to burgeoning grassroots support, many Jewish leaders and pro-Israel activists are also joining the Obama campaign. “I am proud to say that he is unyielding in defending Israel’s security,” said longtime Jewish leader and philanthropist Lester Crown, “(Obama’s) conviction holds fast whether the threat comes from Gaza or Tehran.” > > \*\*In the United States Senate, Barack Obama has led the charge to tighten sanctions against Iran and make it easier for state and local governments to divest from companies that do business with the radical regime in Tehran – a high priority of the pro-Israel community in all 50 states. \*\*Consistently–before non-Jewish audiences as well as Jewish–Senator Obama insists that Israel must remain a Jewish state and strongly condemns anti-Semitism and anti-Semites. > > . . . > > [Jewish Journal](http://www.jewishjournal.com/articles/print/why_jews_support_obama_20080201/) In addition to Mel, > [@](#): > > A slate of Maryland Jewish Democratic lawmakers endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president. > > State Attorney General Douglas Gansler, five state lawmakers, two officials of suburban Montgomery County and a host of Jewish leaders signed on to an e-mail letter backing Obama as part of a campaign for the Jewish vote ahead of Tuesday’s state primary. > > . . . > > > [@](#): > > > > . . . > > > > **Barack Obama’s friendship with Israel is clear and unwavering** despite the vicious and fallacious emails circulating the internet. In his own words, he is committed to Israel as a Jewish state, “I start with the premise that Israel is a stalwart ally of ours and their security cannot be compromised… the Palestinians would have to reinterpret the notion of right of return in a way that would preserve Israel as a Jewish state.” When questioned about Iran’s Ahmadinejad’s sick claim that the Holocaust is a myth, Obama responded eloquently and firmly, “…we know the Holocaust was as real as the 6 million who died in mass graves at Buchenwald, or the cattle cars to Dachau or whose ashes clouded the sky at Auschwitz. After 60 years, it is time to deny the deniers.” And, **he has strongly expressed his commitment to Israel, including, “our total commitment to [America’s] unique defense relationship with Israel by fully funding military assistance and continuing work on the Arrow and related missile defense programs. This would help Israel maintain its military edge and deter and repel attacks from as far as Tehran and as close as Gaza.** Lester Crown, a foremost Jewish leader in Chicago, who for many years has known Barack Obama and his close relationship with the Jewish community, is confident that Barack Obama will continue his loyal friendship with Israel in the White House. A recent New York Sun editorial emphasizes that “anyone who questions Barack Obama on Israel policy has not checked their facts” (Jan. 9, 2008). > > > > . . . > > > > Sincerely, > > > > The Honorable Doug Gansler > > Attorney General, State of Maryland > > > > The Honorable Brian Frosh > > Maryland State Senator (D-16) > > > > The Honorable Jamie Raskin > > Maryland State Senator (D-20) > > > > The Honorable Brian Feldman > > Maryland State Delegate (D-15) > > > > The Honorable Kirill Reznik > > Maryland State Delegate (D-39) > > > > The Honorable William Bronrott > > Maryland State Delegate (D-16) > > > > The Honorable Roger Berliner > > Montgomery County Council > > > > The Honorable Marc Elrich > > Montgomery County Council > > > > Cathy Bernard > > > > Gary Bortnick > > > > Debby Bortnick > > > > Fran Brenneman > > > > Robin Coleman > > > > T. Michael Coleman > > > > Barbara Goldberg Goldman > > > > Michael F. Goldman > > > > Rosalyn Levy Jonas > > > > Gary F. Jonas > > [http://blogs.jta.org/politics/2008/02/10/163/jewish-politicians-in-maryland-speak-out-for-obama/](http://blogs.jta.org/politics/2008/02/10/163/jewish-politicians-in-maryland-speak-out-for-obama/) I think I’ll take all their words for it. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-mccain-or-obama-is-better-for-israel/470391/10 "2008-10-31T15:37:16Z")
Since Obama is the Antichrist, we can at least count on him to settle that whole Temple Mount business and rebuild the Jerusalem Temple. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-mccain-or-obama-is-better-for-israel/470391/11 "2008-10-31T15:52:53Z")
[This is my new favorite youtube video.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCaOCWYpPk4&eurl=http://oxdown.firedoglake.com/diary/1251) In it, a McCain spokesman flat-out accuses Obama of being anti-semitic… but when called on it by CNN’s Rick Sanchez, can’t name one person (other than Khalidi) who can be tied to Obama. Well, he clearly \*wants \*to accuse someone else- presumably Reverend Wright- but since he can’t seem to bring himself to say that name, simply says, “We all know.” I don’t know which side would be better for Israel, I really don’t. But I DO know that one side is clearly trying to paint the other side as being bad for Israel for nothing more than political gain.