In “Tweedledum and Tweedledee” in Arab News, September 20, Anwar Kemal says that there is no real choice between Obama and McCain. Why not? Because neither supports the jihad against Israel.
IT is a popular belief among Americans that the Arabs prefer Barack Obama because his first name is derived from the Arabic “Baraka” and his middle name is Hussein. That may have been the case before Illinois senator came out so vocally in favor of Israel.
Obama’s statements and actions during the past six months have made one thing amply clear: It is not going to make the slightest difference to Arab welfare or the cause of the Palestinians struggling for their rights and freedom if Obama is elected president.
According to Robert Fisk of The Independent, Israel is going to have it easy, and the Arabs just as hard, no matter who is elected. No sooner is Obama (or McCain) elected than “he will be forced to take sides “” Israel’s, of course “” and then it will be time for the next election.” Both the presidential candidates will be talking about Israel’s security, not Palestinian security, and “we”ll be back on the same old itinerary.”…
There is a curious disconnection from reality in this piece. With Bush and Rice agitating for a “stable, contiguous Palestinian state,” and Olmert offering the “Palestinians” 98.1% of the West Bank, Israel could be cut in two very soon, and given a Hamas-controlled jihadist state, internationally coddled and financed, as its new neighbor. But Kemal is right in one way: this could happen no matter which candidate wins the election.