For the most part, Sandy encountered attacks about Obama’s former affiliation with the Trinity Universal Church of Christ in Chicago. She had heard an argument that claims Obama must share the same beliefs as his pastor, and further more that he shares the specific beliefs of his pastor as vocalized in a few sound bites taken over the last few years (in an otherwise uncontroversial 36 year career as pastor). It is a guilt by association argument that holds no water upon further scrutiny (for a thorough debunking see http://jews4barack.com/react/?p=21 and the accompanying links). But even though I wished to immediately dismiss it, the comment is fair in that it serves as a premise for exploration. It could go something like this. “We hear that Obama was a member of a church that appears to have made controversial remarks that causes us to doubt his support for Israel and the Jewish people” Fine, let’s go with this. Is there any evidence to support this claim, not whether the church did or did not say controversial things (see above link), but whether or not Obama’s policies, speeches, or comments lead us to a similar or different conclusion? With just a few clicks online, the answer is relatively clear.

Read or watch his March 2007 speech to the AIPAC in Chicago (http://www.aipac.org/Publications/SpeechesByPolicymakers/Barack_Obama_-_AIPAC_Policy_Forum_2007.pdf) and you would be fairly comforted by Obama’s support for Israel. Listen as he speaks about his trip to Kiryat Shmona, an Israeli border town plagued by constant rocket fire and bombing, and the emotional journey he underwent flying with the IDF and meeting with civilian Israelis living on the front line. “It’s an experience that I keep close to my heart, an experience that I think about whenever I think about the issues that we confront in the Middle East. Not because it’s unique, but because we know that too many others have seen the same kind of destruction, have lost their loved ones to suicide bombers, and live in fear of when the next attack might hit.” It is understandable then to see how he came to the conclusion that “Our job is to never forget that the threat of violence is real. Our job is to renew the United States’ effort to help Israel achieve peace with its neighbors, while remaining vigilant against those who do not share that vision. Our job - Our job is to do more than lay out another road map. Our job is to rebuild the road to real peace and lasting security throughout the region…That effort begins with a clear and strong commitment to the security of Israel, our strongest ally in the region and its only established democracy.” Read or watch responsibly to his June 4th speech (http://jews4barack.com/mythfacts/?p=34) as he echoes similar sentiment; “Our alliance is based on shared interests and shared values….I will bring to the White House an unshakable commitment to Israel’s security…Let me be clear. Israel’s security is sacrosanct. It is non-negotiable.” Read speeches he has made while abroad in Israel or any other on the topic while at home and you will find no incidence of compromise in this stance. Go onto his website, look at his policy statements and, again, if you read the whole thing, you will find no compromise (http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/IsraelFactSheet.pdf).

And what about those associates he has? We seem to believe fundamentally that the company we keep is indicative, at least in some sense, of our deeply rooted values. For this I will again refer you to the above mentioned debunking (http://jews4barack.com/react/?p=21 and the accompanying links) and will add a bit of paraphrase. Those who claim Obama has links to anti-Semites or anti-Israel factions are irresponsible. Those people often point to folks that at most Obama has met once or twice, and with whom there is no evidence that Obama shares a single belief. Articles attacking his credentials forget the thousands of Jewish supporters behind Barak, the high profile individual Jewish endorsements, and comments from Jewish organizations like the AIPAC and Religious Zionists of America to the tune of “Obama supports Israel…a 100% pro-Israel voting record…Barack Obama’s personality, record and policy proposals reflect a candidate with whom the Jewish community should be comfortable.”(http://jews4barack.com/react/?p=42)

The line of reasoning can end here for the time being. With a little bit of digging it appears that no, there is no basis for the premise that Obama is either anti-Semitic or that he does not strongly support Israel. I say for the time being because I encourage you to dig deeper, and to learn more about this issue, but with the recommendation that we are clear about what we are arguing. If we focus on the expected policy of the candidates and on what has been factually articulated about that policy, then we should be talking about which foreign policy will better support Israel on behalf of two candidates that both appear to want to do so.

I have made up my mind that Barak’s policies will do more than McCain’s to secure Israel by improving our standing in the world, improving both our and Israel’s reputation, focusing the fight on terrorism where it needs to be fought and with a higher degree of credibility, developing support for collective action against our and Israel’s enemies, and working assiduously towards peace with Israel’s neighbors. In all of these areas Obama far outperforms McCain who, through his often self-righteous cavaliering, threatens all of the above as well as serious direct conflict for Israel with its neighbors in the region.

I also support Obama when it comes to the Jewish ideals of tikkun olam and mitzvah. In support of civil rights for every American regardless of race, religion, sexual preference or gender the Obama ticket is the ticket with stronger credentials. With respect to our responsibilities to protect the environment with increased investment in energy and conservation technologies, renewing America’s prowess in math and science education and repairing the structural inequalities that don’t afford millions of Americans a fair shot at the meritocracy we so proudly affirm in our American Dream, the Obama ticket is the ticket with stronger credentials. In our call as Jews to “repair the world” and, “do the right thing” it is my belief that we have a responsibility to elect Barak Obama; in the vein of Jewish freedom fighters and world changers who shaped our own country’s civil rights movement and movements in Europe and elsewhere for the last 2 thousand years. But that is just where I have arrived after asking and seeking to answer many questions; and so, if you disagree here, great! The conversation started in the last two paragraphs is a good conversation to be having!

I appreciate you reading this far and I urge you to read further. Look at websites and journals and newspapers. Look critically and ask questions, most importantly, “what is this line of questioning really asking,” or “what do these statements really tell me?” Unfortunately, the answer to these so often leaves us wanting. As a Jew I am saddened when political angling forces us to sacrifice and compromise on the very values that make me proud to be a Jew. Write me back if you feel so compelled. Correct me and offer me contrarian points of view. I look forward to hearing from you!

Matt
Matthew Kyle Aronson
Harvard Kennedy School, MPP ‘10
RPCV Ukraine, 2006-2008