Tuesday, July 01, 2014

Obama vs. Cameron. Who stands with Israel?

I was going to write an extensive blog about how the murder of three Jewish teens is a human rights violation that the world has a tough time treating as one.  Instead, I am reproducing statements about the murder by US President Barack Obama and British PM David Cameron.

Obama:  "On behalf of the American people I extend my deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Frankel – who held Israeli and American citizenship. As a father, I cannot imagine the indescribable pain that the parents of these teenage boys are experiencing. The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms this senseless act of terror against innocent youth. From the outset, I have offered our full support to Israel and the Palestinian Authority to find the perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice, and I encourage Israel and the Palestinian Authority to continue working together in that effort. I also urge all parties to refrain from steps that could further destabilize the situation. As the Israeli people deal with this tragedy, they have the full support and friendship of the United States.”

Cameron:  "This was an appalling and inexcusable act of terror perpetrated against young teenagers. Britain will stand with Israel as it seeks to bring to justice those responsible. Tonight my thoughts and prayers are with the families of Gilad, Naftali and Eyal. No parent should have ever to suffer such heartache or grief."

Not much to say.  While Obama parses his words, uses the passive voice, and refrains from calling this heinous act terror; Cameron is clear and unequivocal.  Obama urges restraint and obliquely makes clear that an Israeli response could "destabilize the situation."  (Does he really think it's stable now?) Cameron stands with Israel in seeking to bring to justice "those responsible," who might include the actual murderers as well as those who sent glorified them.  Cameron also humanizes the three boys by calling them by their first names.

Did I fall asleep in one country and wake up in another?

Labels: , , , , , , , ,