The land of milk and honey

I was happy to read Tom Friedman’s column today on Obama’s growing popularity in Egypt. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/opinion/11friedman.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

For Jews who are afraid of Muslims, the Arab world and Israel, Friedman’s column probably scares them. If the Arabs like him, he must be bad. I am so sick of the vicious, false rumors about Obama circulating in certain sectors of the Jewish community. They worry Obama is Muslim, and that because of that, he won’t stand with Israel and instead side with her Arab enemies. Other than Obama’s middle name (Hussein), I have no idea how these rumors got started and why they’re gaining credibility. (And even if he were Muslim, which he clearly isn’t, why is that even an issue?)

A recent Haaretz editorial correctly pointed out that Obama, Hillary Clinton and McCain “have very similar views on the Middle East, and their Senate votes confirm this” (Jan. 2, 2008). In my view, all that separates McCain and Obama is Obama’s willingness to talk to Arab leaders. Obama wants to change global perception of America and improve our standing in the Arab world. Too many people have lost faith in America and our values of justice, democracy and freedom. Everything we stand for rings hollow, thanks to President Bush and his failed vision for fighting terrorism. The deeper and more lost we find ourselves in Iraq, in stabilizing the Middle East and reaching an equitable solution between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the more hopeless Americans become about the future.

I believe in Barack Obama and his vision for change. Instead of approaching the world with a military, “might is right” mindset, he wants to communicate and find compromises. I think he’s good for the Jews and for Israel. For those Jews who voted for Bush because they thought he would be the best for Israel, I think they need to reconsider what is good for Israel. An endless war and mistrust of our neighbors, or a peace compromise and security? We shouldn’t be afraid of electing someone gaining favor in the Arab or Muslim world. Instead, we should seize that as an opportunity to finally engage moderate Muslim and Arab leaders in dialogue.