Obama Does Obeisance to AIPAC

A progressive antiwar candidate? A taste:

Obama: US should never dictate what's best for Israel

In speech delivered before AIPAC lobbyists in Chicago, US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama reveals strongly pro-Israel platform: US must preserve ‘total commitment to unique defense relationship with Israel’, work to stop Iran’s nuclear program even if military action is necessary

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Obama stressed that “when Israel is attacked, we must stand up for Israel's legitimate right to defend itself.” To illustrate his point, the Illinois senator used the example of last summer’s war in Lebanon, and reiterated the United States’ commitment to press for the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resoultion 1701. [And full implementation of UNR 242? Or the fact that Israel has completely flouted the ceasefire with nonstop flyovers of Lebanon? Or the fact that Israel has flouted UNSC and ICJ condemnation of the Wall? What a courageous fighter for justice!]

“In moments like these, true allies do not walk away. [Unless it's Lebanon, in which case, they're on their own.] For six years, the administration has missed opportunities to increase the United States' influence in the region and help Israel achieve the peace she wants and the security she needs. The time has come for us to seize those opportunities,” Obama noted.

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“But in the end,” he added, “we also know that we should never seek to dictate what is best for the Israelis and their security interests. [Heaven forbid.] No Israeli prime minister should ever feel dragged to or blocked from the negotiating table by the United States.” [That is: you have a blank check.]

Full remarks available in here (PDF). Nothing about illegal settlements, 242, targeted assassinations, the starving of Gazans, and so on. Pure ipecac.