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Sen. Obama Rebuffs George Soros on Hamas
Sen. Barack Obama has rebuffed Democratic financier George Soros, who charged that the U.S. refuses to negotiate with the Palestinians’ Hamas-led government because of the influence of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. In an article that appeared in the New York Review of Books, Soros asserted that Washington should pressure Israel to negotiate with the Palestinians even if Hamas refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist. And he said a key reason the U.S. won’t do that is because of the "pervasive influence” of AIPAC on both Democrats and Republicans. "AIPAC remains intransigent,” Soros wrote.
Story Continues Below "The pro-Israel lobby has been remarkably successful in suppressing criticism. Politicians challenge it at their peril because of the lobby’s ability to influence political contributions… "Whether the Democratic Party can liberate itself from AIPAC’s influence is highly doubtful.” In response, Jen Psaki, a spokeswoman for Obama’s presidential campaign, said: "Mr. Soros is entitled to his opinion. But on this issue he and Senator Obama disagree. "The U.S. and our allies are right to insist that Hamas – a terrorist organization dedicated to Israel’s destruction – meets very basic conditions before being treated as a legitimate actor. AIPAC is one of many voices that share this view.”
Another Democrat, Rep. Robert Wexler of Florida, told the New York Sun that "I respectfully disagree with” Soros. And Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel of New York said about Soros’ claim that AIPAC drives U.S. foreign policy: "It’s a myth and lie about AIPAC’s supposed stranglehold on the Congress. It’s just nonsense.” The Sun noted: "The Soros article puts Democrats in the awkward position of choosing between Mr. Soros, a major funder of their causes, and the pro-Israel lobby, whose members are also active in campaign fund-raising.”
© NewsMax 2007. All rights reserved.
Editor's note:
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics: Inside Cover Stories
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