Will the Arab World Take Issue With Rahm's Israeli Roots and Pro-Israel Views?

The statements made by this Rahm Emanuel character are especially distasteful in the light of the US's horrific foreign policy excesses in the Arab world, from the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq, to the material, political and economic support to Israel's horrific persecution of the Palestinian people, to the internment and torture of hundreds of Arab men at Guantanamo without charge or evidence.

Old habits die hard, and given the propensity of the pro Israel lobby in the US to scream accusations of anti Semitism anytime Israel's repression is criticized, one can be forgiven for asking who the real anti Semites really are now.

Then again, Emmanuel has now apologized for his insensitive comments, so who knows the damage may be shortlived.

Very much to Rahm Emanuel's credit, he called the Arab-American Anti-Disrimination Committee to apologize for his father's comments: "From the fullness of my heart, I personally apologize on behalf of my family and me. These are not the values upon which I was raised or those of my family.” During the phone call, "Emanuel added, it is unacceptable to make remarks such as these against any ethnic or religious group."

As for his serving in (or with) the Israeli Military, that concerned me at first, but considering that such service has in many cases brought (former) Israeli soldiers to become more open-minded and tolerant, Emanuel's experience there might actually be a good thing.

I'm an Obama supported, and a Jew, and the father of Arab children, and I don't mind that Obama chose Emanuel as his CoS, as long as Emanuel does Emanuel's job and not Obama's. However, it is Obama's responsibility to denounce such bigotted remarks, especially when made by the father of his CoS!

I thought they said earlier that Obama was anti-Isreal? Why all these attack now on his selection of Rahm Emanuel? Please lets give him time to do his job. Those who're now saying they voted him and would never vote him again are even acting worse than Mcain during the financial crisis. I don't expect Obama to do anything that'd ever question his patriotism to America again. He told everybody that he's not going to work with people who would always go with him on every issue but those that can challenge his views all the time to make him lead better. I expect him to appoint people from other political leanings and race like Hispanics/Latinos, Asian and Arab Americans to balance his government and also reflect the coalition the brought about his presidency.

I supported and still support senator Obama.But he needs to balance his appointment by appointing Sen.Chuck Hagel as sec. of state. to balance this thing.

If he fail to do so, I will never support him again.I promise.

Additionally, I still think the reference to cleaning floors was elitist. The whole statement was ill-advised, in fact. I can just see my own father making such a statement. The sub-text, written to his friends, is: See, I told you my son supports Israel.

He shoulda kept his mouth shut. Like father like son I guess.

Damn, I hope nobody tries to interview my dad about my politics. Or me about his.

The remarks by his dad did not connect Arabs to cleaning floors. They were separate statements.

Statement 1: Obviously he will [try to]influence the president to be pro-Israel.

Statement 2: Why wouldn't he be [trying to influence Obama]? What is he, an Arab? [daddy reminding son that he should have loyalty to Israel]

Statement 3: He's not going to clean the floors of the White House [as Chief Of Staff [he will have Obama's ear to influence policy, not simply be a gofer or a floor cleaner -- COS]."

Heh, you need to understand the cadence of Jewish thought to get it. The statements are NOT connected.

Emanuel is a political pit bull and will be effective in rallying the support Obama need to create his "change."

Emanuel is pro-Israel, the one democracy in the mid-east and the only reliable US ally in the region. Maybe if there was peace partner on the Palestinian there can be true peace... but look what happened to SADAT.

G-d Bless Obama and Israel and peace loving ARABS.

ALex (Houston, TX)

If President Elect Obama had appointed a pro-Palestinian to his cabinet first thing, he would have been labled a "muslim terrorist" by those who are waiting for him to show any ties to the middle east. This was one appointee, allow him the time to balance his cabinet and open his ears to all issues. Obama does want a safe, secure Palestinian state. He wants to end the violations of their basic human rights. He has barely had time to breathe since the election...allow him the time to make informed choices that will represent all and the opportunity to begin sensible dialogue to solve important issues both here and abroad.

EMANUEL IS CHIEF OF STAFF, NOT SECRETARY OF STATE. IF YOU ALL DID YOUR HOMEWORK YOU WOULD SEE THAT HE BELIEVES IN A PALESTIAN STATE. GIVE HIM A CHANCE BEFORE CONDEMING OBAMA'S CHOICE...I SUPPORTED OBAMA...NOT BECAUSE HE IS BLACK..BUT BECAUSE HE IS A HUMAN BEING WHOM I THINK WILL BE A GOOD PRESIDENT

Emanuel's appointment is a slap in the face for all those anti-war activists who brought about Obama causus victories!

It's look to me like more of the same!

Obama promised to bring CHANGE and make politics more civil in Washington.

CHANGE MY ASS MR.OBAMA

I agree with Steve whole heartedly. I was shocked and disappointed with Obama choice of Rahm Emanuel. Not only that Rahm is a radical orthodox Zionist, which is a shocking choice, but also Obama could have chosen a more likable person to work with both republicams a democrats to move the country forward.
Obama choice made republicans in congress and else where load their guns for a confrontation with Rahm. Based on Rahm's politixal record, he is very provocative, profane and partisan.

Obama lied through his campaign. He changed positions on free trade, off-shore drilling, accepting public funds, position form mid-east conflict, and Iraq. He changed positions based on how he can win by rallying people.
The media would have slaughtered any other candidate for changing positions on some of these issues, but the republicans high unpopularity, his eloquency and charisma made the media biased to his favor.

I didn't vote for Obama or McCain. Still, I am shocked at Obama.

Can we ALL SAY 1 TERM PREZ, IM READY FOR 2012 IF THIS GOV. OF OURS DONT DESTROY THIS COUNTRY 1ST. GOD BLESS AMERICA PEOPLE, AND NOT THE CROOKS THAT LEAD US.

First off, if you do the research, Emmanuel is for a 2-state solution. I think Obama will work harder than Bush to achieve this.

To be honest, a lot of whether peace will be achieved between Israel and the Palestinians during Obama's term will be determined by the Israeli election in Feb. 2009, not the American one. I think if Livni wins, you will see progress. If Netanyahu wins, you will see "same old, same old".

It's amazing all the extremism out there....neo-cons who think Obama is the "anti-Christ", people worried that he is too "anti-Israel", then those who worry that is is "not pro-Israel enough". Let the facts on the ground play out and give him a chance, I think what he is looking for simply is peace as any sane human being is.

I have been an Obama fan since he annouced his campaign for president. With the selection of Imanuel I will no longer support Obama. Imanuel's father was a terrotist and Rahm is a radical orthodox Zionist. Thanks Obsma for destroying the hoped for change agenda and being more righwing than Bush. I hope the democrats in congress destroy you. Imanuel will see that only Zionist positions are put in front of Obama and he will completely cut off non-Zionist access to Obama. Instead of change we need, your slogan should be lies to get elected.

WHEN OBAMA GOT ELECTED, I REJOICED. THE NEXT DAY WHEN I HEARD OF HIS FIRST APPOINTMENT-RAHM EMANUEL, I WAS SOOOOO DISAPPOINTED.

LIKE PALIN, MCCAIN'S LOUSY CHOICE, OBAMA HAS OUTDONE HIM BY SELECTING A PRO IRAQ WAR PERSON AND PRO ISRAELI AGENDA MAN....THIS COUNTRY IS DOOMED!!!

You people would complain if he chose Jesus Christ

Wow...way to go Obama....you promise everyone CHANGE, and the middle east actually believe you, sent you campaign money and now you just showed them what you think of Hamas.