Rahm Emanuel talks to the Anti-Defamation League

[oberliner]

The Obama Administration's policy of engagement abroad to restore America's leadership, its commitment to Israel's safety and security and a two-state solution, and support for immigration reform and civil liberties were some of the issues laid out by the White House chief of staff speaking to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

"We strengthen America when America's image is stronger around the world," Rahm Emanuel said Monday night in speaking to the nearly 400 ADL delegates gathered from across the country for the League's National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. "Our image in the world is different today because of the leadership of the President."

In referring to President Barack Obama's recent trip abroad, which included stops in Turkey and Iraq, Mr. Emanuel said the administration would continue to communicate with the Muslim world through overseas trips and diplomacy so that America is seen differently -- as a nation willing to use the power of engagement to improve its reputation around the world.

On Israel, Mr. Emanuel said, "We are committed to seeing the peace process through to a two-state solution, so that there will be a homeland for the Palestinians and a secure state of Israel for the Jewish people."

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/04/rahm_emanuel_talks_to_the_anti.html

[Jefferson23]

1. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when Rahm left the

building.

[bemildred]

2. I look forward to their support for this effort to finally make Israel secure and at peace. nt

[Jefferson23]

3. We'll see, they will have a hard time going after Emanuel so hopefully

their discussions among themselves will be reality based. I say a fly on the wall as I imagine there are saner individuals than Abe in the background and I hope they speak up for what is right.

[bemildred]

4. Well, s'true it might be an interesting tape.

But I expect they will be all over the place at first, and I would not want to bet on whether any consensus will emerge or what it will be if it does. This smashes a lot of "accepted truth", there is going to be some cognitive disconnect on both sides of the question.

Edit: It's worth remembering that commited partisans on both sides have long believed that the US was subservient to Israel in the Middle East.

[Jefferson23]

5. I believe there exists a huge opportunity for the moderates of groups such

as ADL to speak out. In fighting can be a very good thing, it can lead to filtering out status quo thinkers, would be one the best things to happen.

[bemildred]

6. Yep, could de-polarize the debate, which I think is one of the main ideas. nt