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A post by Maynard

Passover and Easter are upon us.

You’ve heard Tammy discuss the rising tensions between Israel and America. The latest round started when VP Biden’s visit to Israel coincided with a badly-timed announcement of a housing project in East Jerusalem.

For a succinct summary of the ongoing debacle, including relevant historical background, read this op-ed written by the former Mayor of New York City, Ed Koch (D).

A large majority of Congress objects to Obama’s hostile stance. 327 congressmen signed a letter expressing concern that “the highly publicized tensions” in US-Israeli ties will “not advance the interests” of either state.

Hillary’s role as Obama’s enforcer has been in contradiction to her professed outlook back when she was a candidate for president. Here’s a post from a “Jews for Hillary” site from 2007. It cites Hillary’s then-released position paper:

It says Clinton “believes that Israel’s right to exist in safety as a Jewish state, with defensible borders and an undivided Jerusalem as its capital, secure from violence and terrorism, must never be questioned.” Clinton’s paper comes at a time when the Bush administration is quietly pressing the Israelis and the Palestinians to come up with a final-status outline ahead of a November peace conference — one that would address, among other issues, redrawn borders and a shared Jerusalem.

Spokesmen for Clinton denied that the language was timed to undercut the latest initiative. “She’s had these positions for a long time and those haven’t changed,” spokesman Jin Chon told JTA. “Her experience and strength on supporting Israel have been steadfast. The paper is just a reflection of her consistent policy.”

So when she wanted the Jewish vote, Hillary made her name as a strong supporter of an undivided Jerusalem. These days she’s singing a different tune. Presumably her excuse is she doesn’t make policy, she just implements it. But she wouldn’t be doing this, which is the opposite of what she once said she believed in, if she had any personal integrity.

The Jewish Passover Seder concludes with a plea for the coming of the Messiah: “Next year in Jerusalem!” This ancient tradition, in light of current events, has led to the following news spoof (that is, it’s not real, folks!) that’s now making the Internet rounds:

March 23, 2010 – By The Associated Press – Shana Habbab (AP White House Correspondent)

(AP) — An unidentified Israeli official has confirmed that private discussions between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu included a strong request from the President that the upcoming Passover holiday not include the familiar refrain of “next year in Jerusalem”, citing the passage as provocative and unhelpful for future peace talks.

The Administration suggested replacing it with “next year in peace” or “next year in Israel”, but leaving the final wording up to both the Israelis and Palestinians.

Netanyahu is said to have balked at the request, indicating that the refrain dates back well before the UN Partition of 1947. The Prime Minister reportedly attempted to diffuse the situation by noting that the declaration lacks any political significance, adding that most people living outside of Israel just “say the words without having a real desire to live anywhere in Jerusalem.” He further explained that, “at most, they would like to come for the Passover holiday, but only staying at one of the hotels located in western part of the city.”