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Obama Dons Yarmulke at Yad Vashem; Peres Praises His "Moving Humanity"
July 23, 2008 6:42 AM
Alert…Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, has crossed into the West Bank on his way to meet with leaders of the Palestinian National Authority in Ramallah.
This trip comes after several other meetings, with Defense Minister Ehud Barack and Likud Party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu this morning and a visit to the Holocaust Memorial and Museum Yad Vashem.
Obama left his hotel this morning, traveling in a bullet-proof limousine that was part of a nine-car motorcade. Upon arrival at Yad Vashem, Obama was greeted by Avner Shalev, chairman of Yad Vashem.
An Israeli journalist called out to Obama: “Can you ensure that there will be no second Holocaust?”
Obama walked into the museum’s main building without responding. At some point during his tour, away from the media's fixed gaze, Obama met with the Israeli border police officer who Tuesday shot and killed the Palestinian wreaking havoc and injuring Israelis with a bulldozer outside the King David Hotel.
In the “Hall of Remembrance,” Obama put on a white yarmulke, lit the “eternal flame” and placed a white chrysanthemum wreath on a stone slab.
Obama then went to the museum's Janusz Korczak Plaza, where he signed the guest book.
"I am grateful to you Yad Vashem and all of those responsible for this remarkable institution," he wrote. "At a time of great peril and promise, war and strife we are blessed to have such a powerful reminder of man's potential for great evil but also our capacity to rise from tragedy and remake our world. Let our children come here and know this history so they can add their voices to proclaim never again. And may we remember those who perished, not only as victims but also as individuals, who hoped and loved and dreamed like us and who have become symbols of the human spirit."
Shalev gave Obama a book on Yad Vashem, which the senator called an “extraordinary gift.”
"This is my second visit to Yad Vashem," Obama told reporters. "I am always taken back to, sort of, the core question of humanity that the Holocaust raises. And that is, on the one hand man's great capacity for evil but on the other hand the capacity to join together and stop evil if we are willing to speak out in one voice."
Obama continued, "and so, despite its record of monumental tragedy this ultimately is a place of hope. Because it reminds us of our obligations and our responsibilities and hopefully creates a better future for our children and grandchildren."
Obama said he hoped that during his next visit he would be accompanied by his daughters.
Once again an Israeli journalist asked the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee how he’d help prevent a second Holocaust. "Senator can you assure Israel that there will be no second Holocaust despite Iran's threat to wipe us off the map?" he asked.
Obama demurred, saying that it wasn't appropriate to answer the question there.
"This is Yad Vashem!" the journalist responded.
Obama said he would answer the question at a later press availability.
Next stop: a visit with Israeli President Shimon Peres at Beit HaNasi (House of the president), accompanied by James Steinberg and Daniel Shapiro, two of Obama's top Middle East advisors, as well as foreign affairs adviser Dr. Susan Rice and campaign strategist David "Ax" Axelrod.
Peres' remarks to Obama were gushing.
"I want to welcome you here to the Holy Land, Jerusalem, a country that loves the United States of America and has the highest regard for you as a person," Peres said. "Permit me to speak as a young man to a young man," joked the 84-year-old. "They say the future belongs to the young -- they are wrong. The present belongs to the young. The young should do now take care of the burning issues."
Peres said his greatest wish was for the next American president "to be a great president of the United States….Senator I read your two books and your articles and I do believe if you ask me what is my overall impression I would say a moving humanity. I was moved as a human man, a human being, and what we need is moving humanity in our time to overcome the problems to raise hope. The future (is) before you. The world and so are we (are) with you. God bless you."
Obama responded: "God bless you."
The senator noted that for most of the 60 years Israel has existed, "President Peres, you have been deeply involved in this miracle that has blossomed and we are extraordinarily grateful not just as Americans but as world citizens for your outstanding service to your country and the understanding and insight that you have shared with all of us."
The Democrat said he was in Israel "to reaffirm the special relationship between Israel and the United States, my abiding commitment to Israel's security and I hope I can serve as an effective partner whether as a United States senator or as a president, in bringing about a more lasting peace in the region."
The two entered Beit HaNasi where Peres started describing an important book he read that contrasted the merits of socialism versus capitalism, which he recommended to the young senator whose books Peres found to be full of a moving humanity.
-- jpt
July 23, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (50)
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Now THIS is what the POTUS should inspire in people around the world. You make us proud Sen. Obama! Can you imagine Bush or McCain getting this type of welcome and praise? The choice is clear...
Posted by: Peg | Jul 23, 2008 11:27:21 AM
dl,
Go to U tube and look up the video "John McCains Never Ending War". This would make a GREAT Obama commercial!
Posted by: Jane Hussein | Jul 23, 2008 10:36:32 AM
I think it is the message...not just the messenger.
Obama was lucky to be the right smart guy at the right time...
8 year tunnel and the power structure in Washington holding back the evolution and advancement of this powerful country that has been getting lazy and dated...
suddenly had the internet introduced and a dose of democracy with it.
It's not one man that everyone has put their hopes into...it's the people voices that actually got him there that people are so excited about...
that accompanied with this 8 year long downward tunnel... and the feeling of helplessness because our country had become a bus whose driver was being chosen by a sustem that we had little to do with...
that is what all this hype is about... Obama, the internet, and a little tiny lite that has been pushed to the back of the attic for so long...that was the idea of "America".
It is not putting all our hopes in Obama the man...it is putting all our hopes in his ideas and words thatwe agree with being able to climb this hill.
He in no way is perfect by any means... ...but you have to read his plans and listen to how he answers questions off the cuff to get that he's smart and right.
Posted by: dl | Jul 23, 2008 10:24:05 AM
carp wrote:
and what feed the world and abolish all that is evil --- RIGHT ! at the cost of my tax dollars you won't...nor the next President.
My tax dollars is to go to national security and the like........without it we are going to turn into China/Russia and like any other Socialist control government.......
*************
LOL! Wake UP, doll! YOUR tax dollars are going to pay no-bid contracts to Bush/Cheney friends like Halliburton, Blackwater, CACI etc. Billion of YOUR dollars to these war-monger criminals. That the Repub brand of "National Security". And are we any safer? No, because this Administration is the best recruitment tool for terrorists!
And in case you haven't noticed...CHINA OWNS us!!! We are so in debt to the Chinese Government, that if they decided to call in those notes today, the US would be crushed economically.
Personally I want MY tax dollars to go the inspecting our drug supply. My 18 year old son almost died after hee received tainted Hepron earlier this year. That was the last straw for me. The FDA told us there just aren't enough inspectors because of budget cuts. Seriously! WTF! We can spend 12 BILLION each month in Iraq, but we can't keep our KIDS safe here at home.
sorry, but the Repubs need to go, now!
Posted by: Jane Hussein | Jul 23, 2008 10:21:11 AM
Is Obama still peddling the line that this trip is NOT a campaign rally? What about the German language flyers promoting his big speech?
Thank God the reporters have finally started saying no to the idea that advisers could speak without being named.
Posted by: Beth | Jul 23, 2008 10:17:39 AM
This is OUR Government and WE need to take it back. And I choose to elect Barack Obama to help ME do just that!
................
and what feed the world and abolish all that is evil --- RIGHT ! at the cost of my tax dollars you won't...nor the next President.
My tax dollars is to go to national security and the like........without it we are going to turn into China/Russia and like any other Socialist control government.......
I will not work to get paid peanuts and give half of that to the government
oddbama's pursue to claim he is the "one" is a socialist outcry to winover the free government
Posted by: carpenter.nyc | Jul 23, 2008 10:08:29 AM
Wow, The Politico is reporting that the McCain campaign has sent out an e-mail critizing Obama's visit to the Yad Vashem. This is unbelievably low.
And yestarday McCain just about accused Obama of treason. McCain is becoming completely unhinged!
Posted by: Jane Hussein | Jul 23, 2008 10:06:33 AM
riley,
No, Obama has it right. WE are the ones that WE have been waiting for. Enough of the illegal, immoral wars. Enough of our tax money going to feed the fat Corporate wallets. Enough of our food supply not being safe. Enough of our drug supply not being tested before it hits the market. Enough of crumbling roads and collapsing bridges. Enough of our jetliners not being inspected.
This is OUR Government and WE need to take it back. And I choose to elect Barack Obama to help ME do just that!
Posted by: Jane Hussein | Jul 23, 2008 9:56:24 AM
I'm trying to understand the mentality of the people that put so much hope into one man.
A man that hasn't really accomplished anything extraordinary or doesn't have a record of outstanding accomplishments.
When Obama said "we are the ones we have been waiting for" he wanted to say I am the one. And people believe he is.
I find it very dangerous to give Obama that much power.
I'm not sure who has bought into the hype more--the supporters,the media, or Obama.
Posted by: riley | Jul 23, 2008 9:51:43 AM
carp,
Meanwhile, you man McCain, the supposed expert on the war in Iraq get the history of the Sunni Awakening completely wrong. Good thing he wants MORE media coverage! I can't wait! 24/7 McCain meltdown!!!
Posted by: Jane Hussein | Jul 23, 2008 9:48:42 AM
and carpenter.nyc
Read the article again... you sound like an idiot talking about"dressing up with world leaders"
These are people that are discussing things with him... reading what he has said...listening to his answers ...and then getting to ask him questions face to face for a while...
and they are all walking away more hopeful than we have seen ALL of them in a long long time.
Posted by: dl | Jul 23, 2008 9:37:03 AM
seah
your comment about Obama is PR that's all is spoken like someone who has never bothered to actually listen to what he says in impromptu "q and a's".
Mccain and many of the candidates who ran are stifled in their grasp of situations...Obama's grasp of the majority of the problems we face is really really expansive.
That is what you get when you pick the smarter guy... we tried the other way.
Posted by: dl | Jul 23, 2008 9:33:25 AM
You have to either chuckle or be perplexed by the comments on here after this article.
Obviously some very important people on two sides of many of the issues all have sat and spoke with Barack Obama (as many of these commenters have not)
and they still try to trash the obvios improvement Obama shows to the world dialogue from Bush and McCain.
The comments trashing him on here obviously are silly and stupid...or angry and stupid.
Read the article again,... the people he has met with are not stupid. The interactions with these men are a step up from the uncomfortable jokes and bobbing of self entertained shoulders...that Bush has done so often between his "fake cowboy" image
and Mccain's diplomacy seems to want to continue that comedic hawk thing...that's not what we need in a situation that is the engine for all the other conflicts in the middle east.
Posted by: dl | Jul 23, 2008 9:28:44 AM
"The two entered Beit HaNasi where Peres started describing an important book he read that contrasted the merits of socialism versus capitalism, which he recommended to the young senator whose books Peres found to be full of a moving humanity."
Obama is already a socialist, he surely does not need reinforcement of this.
I hope these foreign leaders realize Obama is just a candidate and not a head of State or a diplomat.
I hope they realize, that Obama will and does say anything to appease people. To gain their support.
I hope they realize, That Obama is a marketing and PR tool. That he is programed and his only knowledge of issues and policeis is what he gets from his paid staff to tell him.
Obama is a speech and a smooth talker, a scam aritst and a sham.
Obama lies, twist facts and details, misleads people to suit his needs at a present time.
Obama has done nothing or the USA or the American People.
All he can offer anyone is a hope and prayer, and that is all he can deliver.
I hope the foreign countries he visits as a Jr Senator, do not hold America accountable for what he says or promises.
Posted by: seah | Jul 23, 2008 9:28:13 AM
carp,
It really burns your britches that Obama is getting so much admiration from world leaders, doesn't it? Well, get used to it. For once the POTUS will be well respected around the world.
Posted by: Jane Hussein | Jul 23, 2008 9:27:50 AM
oddbama whispers to King Abdullah--- did ya know my middle name is Hussein??....smile for the camera !
then oddbama goes over to Israel and whispers to Netanyahu--- did ya know my name Barack is Hebrew??....smile for the camera !
playing dress up with world leaders is fun !
Posted by: carpenter.nyc | Jul 23, 2008 9:12:55 AM
smile for the photo op, the world is watching
playing dress up with the world leaders is fun !
Posted by: carpenter.nyc | Jul 23, 2008 9:06:24 AM
Obama has no intention of getting the US out of the Middle East.
Clinton really should run as a third candidate now with the promise to really get us out of all conflicts in the Middle east.
Or vote for McCain who knows what to do rather than losing a war just to win an election like Obama
Posted by: jump up | Jul 23, 2008 8:59:33 AM
Barack occupies the air in the united states in travelling through free and occupied countries.
Posted by: maz hess | Jul 23, 2008 8:58:45 AM
carp,
What promises? Just because YOU say does not mean it's true!
Posted by: Jane Hussein | Jul 23, 2008 8:55:32 AM
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