Althouse: "But what does Kerry do? He adopts Hamas’s position..."

July 28, 2014

"But what does Kerry do? He adopts Hamas’s position..."

"... undermining both Israel and Egypt, in putting out a proposal that would let Hamas keep its remaining missiles and tunnels. The Israeli government decried this as a 'capitulation' to Hamas and was understandably 'outraged.' In a tenure filled with gaffes, missteps and blinding vanity this is a new low for Kerry."

36 comments:

damikesc said...: Why Jews support a party that so openly loathes them is lost on me. The Dems HATE Israel, even though Israel is not the instigator and does far less to their enemies than we do to ours.; 7/28/14, 7:09 AM
Diogenes of Sinope said...: "Obama tries to strangle Israel. And he got something like 85 percent of the Jewish vote." Ben Stein.; 7/28/14, 7:17 AM
Hagar said...: John Kerry is President Obama's Secretary of State.
Though it is sometimes easy to forget - both in- and out of doors - the State dept. is not an independent power.

I saw an article that said Israel is in concert with Saudi Arabia and especially the new government in Egypt about this mess in Gaza, and is generally in the process of shifting over to relying on an alliance with those countries rather than the U.S. under this Administration.

Even so, these moves by the Obama White House seem hard to understand the reasoning for, never mind the morals.; 7/28/14, 7:32 AM
Vet66 said...: Do not understand the Jewish support for democrats who support Hamas. Is it a Jewish thing for some sort of guilt? Inferiority complex? Self destruction? One would think that they learned the relevant lesson gleaned from the history of WWII. Now they are led by clueless elites like Kerry who are out of touch with reality. All this in the face of Hama's using clueless Hamas civilians as cannon fodder to keep the dream alive to annihilate Israel. Reality in the face of the dark side of the utopian dream.; 7/28/14, 7:34 AM
Larry J said...: America dodged a bullet by not electing Kerry in 2004 only to take a full machine gun burst to the gut by electing Obama in 2008 and 2012. The only thing dumber than John Kerry is anyone who ever voted for him.; 7/28/14, 7:56 AM
Curious George said...: "...this is a new low for Kerry."

Kerry made films of himself in Viet Nam, won Purple Hearts for injuries that wouldn't warrant stopping whatever you were doing to get bandaid, used them to get out of combat, lied about it all, and lied about his war experience and backstabbed his fellow veterans and country at Winter Soldier.

Throwing Israel under the bus is nothing.; 7/28/14, 8:04 AM
Æthelflæd said...: The Israelis need to tell us to go to hell and find somebody else's war to lose for them.; 7/28/14, 8:13 AM
FleetUSA said...: Kerry's not so secret ambition is to make peace in the Middle East and run for prez in 2016.

His biggest hurdle to that ambition is one John F. Kerry.; 7/28/14, 8:14 AM
Skeptical Voter said...: He may know how to marry rich women,but otherwise Jean Fraud Kerry is dumber than a sack of hammers.; 7/28/14, 8:27 AM
The Drill SGT said...: The Jewish democrat vote vote was originally driven by the fact that early immigrants were Eastern Euro Trade unionists.

The largest single unforced error of the WH and Kerry that keeps the war going and encourages Hamas to avoid a cease fire is the FAA restriction that forbids US Carriers and code shares from landing at Tel Aviv.

Israel is virtually cut off from the world...; 7/28/14, 8:55 AM
Bruce Hayden said...: Do not understand the Jewish support for democrats who support Hamas. Is it a Jewish thing for some sort of guilt? Inferiority complex? Self destruction?

That has bothered me too. My Jewish Dem friends seem to be complete denial, likely from the cognitive dissonance of their position.

Let me theorize a bit. For one thing, Jews are often thought to be cliquier than many other groups. But, another way of seeing that is that they have survived surprisingly well as a people, despite most of the last two millenia, and maybe 2 1/4 or so of the last three, without a real country of their own. They have maintained fairly good cultural, and even genetic, identity, despite this. And, part of that is sticking together.

When they entered this country in decent numbers, they naturally ended up as part of the Democratic party, as it was the party of immigrants and constituencies, while the Republicans were the WASP party. Other ethnic groups, who came here at a similar time, have assimilated into the Republican party just fine, such as, for example, the Irish. But, they did it one by one, and that group solidarity that has served Jews for so long just won't allow that - note how horribly they treat those who transgress and join the evil Republicans (though not as bad as Blacks do - but arguably for similar reasons).

The other side though of this may be that this cliquishness also translates into cozy financial dealings with each other. As one friend put it, the MOT (Member of the Tribe) discount. For those adept at it, it can be almost a scary thing - I have watched him do amazing things over the years with his MOT networking. But, I expect that that may also fit well into crony captialism. Who gets those crony capitalist deals? A lot of them go to well connected Jews. I think that we mostly don't notice the ethnic connections, because we are so used to, these days, having a lot of well connected Jews near the levers of power. At some point, you just quit noticing it, it is so prevalent and pervasive. At least if you are not Jewish (my more successful Jewish friends know - because they seem to always know someone who knows someone who knows those people).

Up until now, Jews have had a seat at the table in Dem circles primarily because, I suspect, they are probably the biggest financiers of the Dem party. More so than the trial lawyers (ignoring that many of them are Jewish). And more than the unions. And, many of the big donors are in it for the money, the crony capitalism mentioned above. They have made this devil's bargain before throughout their history, and it may again prove to their disadvantage, as much more numerous Dem constituencies push them out, and then turn on them, as we may already be seeing. All this, of course, mere conjecture.; 7/28/14, 8:57 AM
cubanbob said...: Besides the usual observations of venality and stupidity on the part of the Administration one wonders why Kerry is supportive of Hamas. Is there another motivation that is animating this policy? Egypt is firmly against Hamas. Jordan isn't really doing anything. Saudi Arabia isn't really doing anything and Hezbollah besides some threats isn't doing anything. The only ones that are doing something for Hamas is Quatar by funding Hamas and they are presumably doing so to get Hamas away from Iranian influence. Could a $40bn order to Boeing for 100 777 X900 aircraft by Quatar Airlines be motivating Kerry? If so, then cynical as that is then it could be seen in the national interest but does this Administration appear to care about the US economic national interest? With the EU, if Airbus had such a deal going no one would doubt that the deal would motivate them to support Hamas. Besides the Europeans hate the Jews so it wouldn't take much to get them to support Hamas. But Kerry? Has he gone so 'French' that simply being antipathetic towards Jews (and placating the progressives in the Democratic Party) is reason enough to support Hamas?; 7/28/14, 9:09 AM
Kelly said...: Michael Medved says the reason so many Jews vote democrat is because most of them aren't at all religious. They've substituted their religion and in fact many Jews are atheist. One wonders why they even call themselves Jews, as if it's an ethnicity rather than a religion. The more orthodox they are the more they vote republican.; 7/28/14, 9:14 AM
Paul said...: Kerry carries water for Obama. And Barry HUSSEIN Obama wants 'change'.

So what is to be surprising here?

Obama is just being more 'flexible' after the election.; 7/28/14, 9:14 AM
Clyde said...: Fish gotta swim. Birds gotta fly. Kerry's gotta be Kerry.

It would be better for our country if he wasn't windsurfing with our foreign policy, though.; 7/28/14, 9:36 AM
Hagar said...: The Obama White House is on a quest to lose old friends without gaining new ones.; 7/28/14, 9:41 AM
Douglas B. Levene said...: The sad truth is that liberal Jews continue to support the Democratic Party because they value the right to have sex without consequences more than they value the survival of Israel.; 7/28/14, 9:59 AM
retired said...: Kerry '16? LOL. Along with HRC Slo Joe and Fauxahontas it would be the oldest, dumbest bunch ever to run. Maybe McCain could offically defect and make it a geriatic group of five.; 7/28/14, 10:29 AM
Michael The Magnificent said...: I have religiously conservative, but socially liberal Jewish friends; I have an open invitation to Shabbat dinner. They are a tight knit group with their own language. When sit down with them for dinner and listen, they realize that Obama and Kerry are not friends of Israel, but ignore the bigger anti-zionist trend within the Democratic party and within their constituency, while at the same time are sure that us right wingers hate them even more than their fellow non-Jewish lefties do.

And they'll re-enforce each other's beliefs in this as well.

Someone will say something to the effect that they believe that most Christians don't like Jews. And the rest at the table will concur. And then I, the lone Christian at the table, will inform them all that I've been in dozens of different Christian churches, thousands of times, and have never heard a single negative thing said against Jews. But I'm one person, verses a dozen fellow Jew's opinions.

They survive by being tight-knit. But they suffer from their echo chamber at the same time.; 7/28/14, 10:53 AM
lemondog said...: Give me an A
Give me an S
Give me another S
Give me an H
Give me an O.....

Do I need to spell it out?; 7/28/14, 11:16 AM
n.n said...: Undermine both Israel and Egypt, huh? That would be consistent with Obama's policy. He doesn't like the moderate, nationalist Jews and Muslims, respectively.; 7/28/14, 11:53 AM
Gahrie said...: The Obama foriegn policy:

Reward Amerca's enemies, punish America's allies and promote as much turmoil as possible.; 7/28/14, 12:49 PM
holdfast said...: The argument about substituting liberal dogma for the truly "religious" part of Jewishness seems to be correct take. "Jewishness" is a religion, an ethnicity and a culture, and some members choose to partake in only one or two elements. I honestly don't get it - how can any intelligent person living in the 21st century see that America, with its Christian heritage and values has been incredibly good to the Jews, both here in the US and abroad? Jews in such "liberal" bastions as France seem to be only a bad election or riot away from running for their lives, whereas Jews in America are more likely to be running major corporations or running for high office. Why Jews want to make America more like Europe, I cannot understand? Why they oppose freedoms like the right to bear arms I really can't grasp - what other ethnic group has been on the wrong end of government-owned guns so often through history?; 7/28/14, 1:09 PM
NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...: Peace talks cause wars! Stop doing it!

This was the most predictable thing since the last solar eclipse.; 7/28/14, 2:33 PM
Brando said...: "Do not understand the Jewish support for democrats who support Hamas. Is it a Jewish thing for some sort of guilt? Inferiority complex? Self destruction?"

There's a few things at work here:

1) Jews don't necessarily equate to endorsement of Israeli policy. Most Jews would likely rally to support Israel if they thought the country was in danger of extinction, but it has been a long time since Israel realistically faced destruction.

2) Jews are among the harshest critics of Israeli policy. They may not favor Hamas, but they also oppose the Israeli right, particularly with military strikes that are likely to kill civilians, and the settlements policy.

3) Jews have long been loyal to the Democrats, going back to the days when most immigrants were courted by that party in the big cities. Over time, Jews remained at least socially liberal, partly out of discomfort with social conservatives who they viewed as trying to impose Christianity on non-Christians. Unfounded or not, this fear stems from a long history in Europe of having official religions and persecution of Jews.

4) I can't speak to Kerry's proposal, but as Kerry is an idiot it's likely a nonstarter anyway. But considering the Obama administration isn't suggesting cutting off funding for Israel or doing anything else that might affect anything in that region, I don't expect Jewish sympathies towards the Democrats to change.; 7/28/14, 3:24 PM
James Pawlak said...: Kerry is only advancing Obama's plans to weaken and destroy the USA.

The "Swift-Boaters" were correct!; 7/28/14, 3:44 PM
SomeoneHasToSayIt said...: Whom among us doesn't like tunnels?; 7/28/14, 5:30 PM
Michael said...: John Kerry was a poseur and a doofus 50 years ago in New Haven, and the decades have not improved him. No serious person can express a thoughtful opinion on the Middle East without insulting John Kerry. His talents are for self-promotion and marrying rich women.; 7/28/14, 5:45 PM
richard mcenroe said...: It's not a new low; it's the instructions he was sent over there with.; 7/28/14, 6:23 PM
richard mcenroe said...: "Why Jews support a party that so openly loathes them is lost on me."

"It's not me, it's them, the bad Jews! We're the good Jews...!"

And everyone knows the "good Jews" made out just fine between 1936 and 1948...; 7/28/14, 6:25 PM
richard mcenroe said...: Curious George, don't forget his betrayal of the POW families so his brother could get a sweet construction contract in Long Binh...; 7/28/14, 6:26 PM
richard mcenroe said...: Correction, it was his cousin, not his brother.; 7/28/14, 6:29 PM
chillblaine said...: "Could a $40bn order to Boeing for 100 777 X900 aircraft by Quatar Airlines be motivating Kerry?"

Very interesting question. Kerry's remarks do seem intended for a Qatari audience. Plus, we have military installations in Qatar to think of.

Turkey is also a huge Hamas supporter. They have been making noises about supporting the next flotilla with naval vessels. Very problematic considering their NATO membership.; 7/28/14, 7:30 PM
Revenant said...: Someone will say something to the effect that they believe that most Christians don't like Jews. [...] But I'm one person, verses a dozen fellow Jew's opinions.

The current Christian conservative acceptance of Jews is a historical anomaly. The norm is to favor excluding or eliminating Jews from society. Skepticism is warranted, I'd say. A religion doesn't spend two thousand years hating on Jews unless there's something inherently anti-Jewish in the religion.

(like, for example, a central myth that Jews killed the incarnation of God); 7/28/14, 10:06 PM
Joe said...: He also supported many of Hamas's claims about casualties without question.

Were I Netanyahu, I'd call Obama and tell him that Kerry was no longer welcome in Israel. Daniel Shapiro seems like a decent guy, Israel will deal with him.; 7/29/14, 1:01 AM
jr565 said...: God bless Joan rivers. That old Jew is no fool. Younger Jews tend to take the liberal line, making them cheer leaders to their own destruction. If they had any sense they'd look around and see that they have very few friends on the left. And are cheering on the worst totalitarians in the world. The most warlike, the most backward, the least liberal. And they don't even know their history.

When I was at college I had a Jewish roommate. And I was a good lefty at the time so aped the lefty line and got into a huge argument with him about Israel. The Israelis were wrong and stole the land. Blah blah blah.He moved out at the end of the semester and we lost touch. But he was right in his argument and I was the insufferable lefty prick.
As I learned history I realized how wrong I actually was. and frankly, I owe him an apology.; 7/29/14, 1:03 AM