I wonder if they make Obama kufi’s too?
In an interesting New York Review of Books article about a proponent of Yiddish language preservation in America, Harold Bloom shared an interesting observation made by a leading intellectual inspiration for the Neo-Conservatives:
Leo Strauss provocatively observed that American Jewry was not part of the Exile while Israeli society was…
I was reminded of this quote as I read about early absentee voting results coming from Jewish-Americans now in Israel.
As Newsweek reported, three-fourths of the Americans in Israel are backing McCain. This “runs counter to a recent Gallup poll of Jewish American voters in the United States, in which 74 percent of respondents favored Obama.”
It is not surprising that most American emigrants to Israel bend to the right given what Palestinians have witnessed first-hand: their chauvinism and aggressive involvement in settler movements.
In this election, it is clear that those who see no problem with American foreign militancy and the threat it poses to American standing in the world tend to back McCain. Obama’s overwhelming support around the world belies an international hope for something else.
Most of the voters in Israel could care less. Their interest is not in the country where Jews are by far the most assimilated, successful and safest: America.
McCain’s backers in Israel are in a self-imposed, ideological exile of sorts, putting the expedience of their Zionism over the prospects of something better for everyone (even if the prospects are only slight). Speaking of hope, I hope Obama’s support in the United States indicates a shift away from rabid Zionism among American Jews. I “hope” because support for Obama is no worthy gauge.
Related posts:
- Zionism Must be Defended (or, Barack Obama’s AIPAC speech)
- What We Really Need is a Game-Changing Sports Metaphor
- Iraq Left Out of the Horse Race
- Sarah Silverman: If Barack Obama doesn’t become the next president of the United States I’m gonna blame the Jews
- Obama is Making Me a Naderite
“Their interest is not in the country where Jews are by far the most assimilated, successful and safest: America.”
How is this any different from the plethora of arab activists, including the lovely Linda Q. from kabob, who advocate not voting at all because the candidates viewpoints don’t align with their worldview, neverminding the fact that there are serious domestic issues to consider?
I find it highly hipocritical that someone who views voting as non-challantly as you, can at the same time chastise Americans abroad for actually voting at all.
Posted by Fadi | October 31, 2008, 1:37 pmWait, so a vote for Obama is a vote against “rabid Zionism”? Just trying to get things clear….
Posted by Anonymous | October 31, 2008, 4:35 pmWhy would a vote for Obama indicate a shift from rapid Zionism by American Jews? American Jews are historically democratic voters. There is no shift. It doesn’t matter which party they vote for because both are in the bag for Israel. Obama is probably more in the tank for Israel than previous democratic candidates. Biden is a self-proclaimed Zionist, Obama has pledged his unwavering support for Israel, and it is rumored he has named Rahm Emanuel as his pick for Chief of Staff. Emanuel, the son of a member of Irgun.
American Jews living in Israel are often more socially conservative than American Jews living in the U.S. and this is the reason for their conservative leanings, not because they are “putting the expedience of Zionism” over something better for everyone.
Posted by Anonymous | October 31, 2008, 6:51 pmGreat post
Like they say – expect the worst, hope for the best. I have little “hope” though.
Posted by Kalash | October 31, 2008, 11:17 pmDoes Obummer really promise a more constructive US approach to world issues given his remarks about Pakistan? Did he mean it or is it that he just wanted to appear tough? That trait can be a danger in itself.
I am too lazy as usual to properly research the subject but it always appears that intentions on foreign policy bear rather a casual relationship to reality anyway. Too many unforeseen events
and factors. He seems a better bet than Bush and the current Republicans but if he got the US into another pointless war I would not be remotely surprised.
Posted by xoggoth | November 1, 2008, 12:31 pm