Obama Gunning for Israel at UN

Remember when the United Nations equated the commitment to a Jewish state with racism? That unforgettable vote that determined "Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination" came Nov. 10, 1975, in a 72-35 vote with 32 abstentions. It was one of the most shameful actions of the U.N. in a long history of shameful actions.

Ultimately, it was revoked 16 years later in a vote far more lopsided than the original. Yet, it represented a total betrayal of Israel, the only liberal democracy in the Middle East, with the kind of political values the U.N. was, at least in theory, created to uphold.

I believe history is about to repeat itself at the U.N. this month — this time with the help of Barack Obama. And this time, the action could be far more injurious to the national security of Israel than the largely symbolic propaganda effort of 1975.

By now, everyone has heard about Obama's unprecedented decision to serve as chairman of the U.N. Security Council on Sept. 24.

Much could be said about this decision:

— It is a transparent effort by Obama to shore up his plummeting popularity at home in a forum where symbolism reigns over substance. But crass politics is Obama's stock in trade.

— It is a clearly unconstitutional move for a president as Article 1, Section 9, states: "No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State." But the restrictions of the Constitution have never proved a barrier to Obama so far.

— Obama will be lowering the presidency of the United States by participating in a hopelessly illegitimate international forum, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Libya's Moammar Gadhafi and Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. But, again, this is Barack Obama, who seems to believe difference with the likes of Gadhafi and Ahmadinejad are more reconcilable than those with Americans who want to choose their own doctor and medical treatments.

There is something much more significant and insidious in Obama's U.N.

gambit. It is revealed in Obama's choice of an agenda for the meeting.

Obama will target not only on the frequent topic of nuclear proliferation. He has also chosen to broaden the focus to "nuclear disarmament."

Why? Because this is a way he can change the subject from the imminent threat posed to the state of Israel by Iran's development of nuclear weapons to what he believes represents a genuine solution to that crisis — the disarming of the Jewish state. And make no mistake about it: Obama is changing the subject.

The U.N. Security Council already has resolving potential nuclear threats posed by both Iran and North Korea on its agenda. The rogue actions of those states are specifically mentioned. Nuclear nonproliferation is specifically mentioned. Nuclear disarmament is not.

By broadening the issues on the table, Obama plays right into the hands of Ahmadinejad and Gadhafi who will, predictably, insist that the topic of Israeli nuclear disarmament be given at least as much attention as Iran's desire only to acquire nuclear power for peaceful domestic energy purposes.

So, what are we to make of this?

We can, of course, assume Obama has merely miscalculated. We can assume this is simply a tragic diplomatic blunder on his part. But, I believe, such conclusions seriously underestimate Obama. He has made clear his intentions to use his presidency to work toward nuclear disarmament — not just in the Middle East, but globally.

On April 5, he delivered a major address in Prague, saying: "The United States will take concrete steps toward a world without nuclear weapons. To put an end to Cold War thinking, we will reduce the role of nuclear weapons in our national security strategy, and urge others to do the same."

Vice President Joe Biden has already rejected pleas by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to replace aging U.S. nukes with modern, reliable weapons.

Now, it looks like Obama is about to turn his attention to what he considers to be the real nuclear threat in the Middle East — Israel.

To find out more about Joseph Farah and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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