Since the announcement, we've seen another "Gal Hirsch style" take-down. It makes me wonder what is wrong with the guys leading our government that they can't get a simple appointment taken care of without such embarrassment. Do they not vet their candidates?What happened? Briefly, it was discovered that Baratz had posted some not so nice comments about some important people to his Facebook account. He called Barak Obama the modern face of anti-semitism. He said Ruby Rivlin is a marginal figure the Islamic states have no interest in kidnapping. He said that John Kerry has the mental age of a 12 year old.
Ok, so he said what he said and there is a debate as to whether or not that makes him unworthy of the post he was being appointed to.
What I find noteworthy about this is a different aspect of this story.
Joe Biden, speaking at the Union for Reform Judaism conference, criticized the incident saying, "
there should be no tolerance for any member of the Israeli administration to refer to the president of the United States in derogatory terms, period."
Others, spokespeople, also related to the report criticizing the derogatory comments in harsh terms.
source: TOI
What makes this noteworthy is that when Obama was caught speaking into a hot mike calling Netanyahu a liar, no apology was forthcoming, nor did we hear anything about kindergarten rules of being polite. When Obama spoke about Netanyahu calling him a chickenshit and other names, kindergarten rules did not apply, and no apology was forthcoming...
They should perhaps consider another kindergarten rule - what goes around comes around.
Netanyahu ignored Obama's comments. Obama should ignore the comments of someone who was not even a staffer at the time.
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Well said
ReplyDeletekol tuv,
Baruch
Well said
ReplyDeletekol tuv,
Baruch
Unfortunately, though, someone in the role of public diplomacy should be the type to watch their speech. Notwithstanding the stupid tradition of Israel to give ministries to completely unqualified policiticans. And notwithstanding the low level of some Americans - we don't want to stoop to their standards.
ReplyDeleteI think there are some important differences:
ReplyDeleteObama was speaking privately Baratz was not
Baratz is being chosen knowing what he already said publicly
Obama is president of the strongest nation on earth - and Netanyahu is launching his schnorring tour of washington, not the best time to appoint someone that has publicly insulted the hand that feeds you
This appointment comes after numerous other publlic snubs from Netanyahu and his admin
another difference - Obama is head of state while Baratz is not.
DeleteThere is no such thign as Obama speaking privately. heads of state know their comments get publicized. it is a convenient excuse, and is used that way.
the snubs go both ways, so I am not moved by the argument. I dont think Netanyahu hurt/snubbed Obama any more than Obama hurt/snubbed netanyahu
I am not defending the appointment. I dont know anything about this guy and dont really care who holds the post - I just hope it is someone competent. I am surprised they have so much trouble with so many appointments.