Despite Prime Minister Netanyahu’s clear statements that his position on a two-state solution has not changed, State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said last Thursday that she just “can’t forget” comments that Netanyahu made before the elections (nor is she willing to take those statements in the proper context). White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough reinforced Psaki’s view on Monday while speaking to — who else — the Soros-funded lobby group JStreet. McDonough said that “we cannot simply pretend that these comments were never made.” Although the administration appeared to accept that Netanyahu apologized for his comments about Arab voters, the State Department still continues to maintain that “it’s going to be hard to find a path where people are seriously believing, when it comes to negotiations, that those are possible.”
Last week I noted some comments that US President Barack Obama made during his own campaign that he seems to have forgotten about. Since the US President still refuses to get over his “temper tantrum” with respect to Netanyahu’s comments about Palestinian statehood, I thought it might also be fun to take a look at some statements made by some of Obama’s best buddies that he doesn’t seem to remember all that well.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas:
- In July 2013 Abbas said, “in a final resolution, we would not see the presence of a single Israeli – civilian or soldier – on our lands.”
- In November 2013 he said that he would “never give up an ounce of the Palestinians’ demands.”
- Speaking directly to Obama in March of 2014, Abbas said that a “peace deal” will not result in an “end of conflict.”
- In July 2014 he said that Jews have no right to “have no right to go there and desecrate” The Temple Mount.
Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei:
In November of 2014 published, on twitter, a 9-point plan to destroy Israel.- Just three days ago, Khamenei publicly said, “Of course yes, death to America.”
- Presided at a rally in November 2013 at which people chanted “Death to America.”
- Presided at a rally in March 2014 at which people chanted “Death to America.”
- In May 2014 declared that “This battle will only end when the society can get rid of the oppressors’ front with America at the head of it.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani:
- In October of 2013, discussing the commitments Iran made to suspend nuclear development under the October 2003 Tehran Declaration, Rouhani declared, “we did not let that happen!”
- In May of 2013 he said “Saying ‘Death to America‘ is easy. We need to express ‘Death to America’ with action. Saying it is easy.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin:
- In January 2014 Putin declared that gay people should “Just leave kids alone, please.“
- In October of 2012 Putin said that jailed members of feminist punk band Pussy Riot “got what they asked for.“
And of course Obama’s BFF, The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan:
- In 2009 Erdogan said that “wherever Jews settle, they make money.”
- In January 2015 he said his country opposes the idea of a Kurdish-controlled autonomous government in northern Syria.
- And just earlier this month, he said, regarding efforts to recognize the Armenian genocide, “anti-Turkey campaigns carried out by paying money and forming lobbies will not earn you anything.”
I’m quite sure this list is not exhaustive.
If Obama won’t let Netanyahu’s comment go, it’s really worth asking why (hint: he might find the answer in here).
