I have never criticized former U.S. President Barack Obama publicly – neither during my time in the Knesset nor anywhere else – despite my having disagreed with many of his policies. I am of the strong opinion that Israelis should not engage in or interfere with American politics, and I regularly offer a blanket thank you to all American presidents, including Obama, for their economic and military support for Israel.
However, his memoir, A Promised Land, is filled with historical inaccuracies that I feel the need to address. His telling of Israel’s story (at the beginning of Chapter 25) not only exhibits a flawed understanding of the region – which clearly impacted his policies as president – but misleads readers in a way that will forever shape their negative perspective of the Jewish state.
Obama relates, for example, how the British were “occupying Palestine” when they issued the Balfour Declaration calling for a Jewish state. But labeling Great Britain as an “occupier” clearly casts doubt on its legitimacy to determine anything about the future of the Holy Land, and that wasn’t the situation.
While it is true that England had no legal rights in Palestine when the Balfour Declaration was issued in 1917, that changed just five years later. The League of Nations, the precursor to the United Nations, gave the British legal rights over Palestine in its 1922 “Mandate for Palestine,” which specifically mentions “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.”
The League also said that “recognition has thereby been given to the historical connection of the Jewish people with Palestine and to the grounds for reconstituting their national home in that country.”
The former president’s noted omission of the internationally agreed-upon mandate for the British to establish a home for the Jews in Palestine misinforms the reader, who will conclude that the movement for a Jewish state in Palestine had no legitimacy or international consent.
“Over the next 20 years, Zionist leaders mobilized a surge of Jewish migration to Palestine,” Obama writes, creating the image that once the British illegally began the process of forming a Jewish state in Palestine, Jews suddenly started flocking there.
Obama should have portrayed the Jews as they were: a persecuted and desperate people searching for safety; not, as he implies, strong conquerors flooding into Palestine.
The truth is that Jews, who maintained a continual presence throughout the 2,000 years that most were exiled from the land, had already been moving to Palestine in large numbers way before then; considerably more than 100,000 immigrants arrived in the late 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. Then, in the 1920s, high numbers fleeing anti-Semitism in Europe could only find safe haven in Palestine due to the United States having instituted quotas in 1924 on the number of Jews who could enter America.
The number of immigrants rose even more in the 1930s when Adolf Hitler rose to power and began his conquest of Europe while the world remained silent.
Historical context is important, and once Obama chose to write about the history, he should have provided the full context and portrayed the Jews as they were: a persecuted and desperate people searching for safety, and not, as he implies, strong conquerors flooding into Palestine.
His claim that the new immigrants “organized highly trained armed forces to defend their settlements” is also misleading. A more accurate way to describe it would have been: “Because the Arabs in the region mercilessly attacked the Jewish areas, the Jewish refugees had no choice but to take up arms to defend themselves.”
Acknowledging that the Arabs were attacking Jews before there was even a State of Israel is important historical context for understanding the Israeli-Arab conflict.
A Promised Land recounts, as well, how the United Nations passed a partition plan for Palestine in November 1947, by dividing the country into a Jewish and Arab state, which the “Zionist leaders,” as he calls them, accepted, but to which the “Arab Palestinians, as well as surrounding Arab nations that were just emerging from colonial rule, strenuously objected.”
Obama’s use of “Zionist leaders” instead of “Jewish leaders” plays right into the current international climate, in which it is politically correct to be “anti-Zionist,” while unacceptable to be anti-Jewish. (In reality, Zionism is the movement for Jews to live in their biblical and historic homeland, so being against that actually is anti-Semitism, but that’s for another discussion.)
The description of “Arab nations that were just emerging from colonial rule” is a clear attempt to justify the Arab refusal of the U.N. Partition Plan. Those poor “Arab nations” that have been suffering due to outsiders colonizing their “nations” simply could not accept another “colonial” entity, the Jews, entering the region.
But the truth is that with the exception of Egypt, which was not colonized, none of the neighboring countries that rejected the partition plan had been established states before World War I. Yes, the post-war mandates of the League of Nations gave control in the region to the British and the French for a few decades, but this was in place of the Ottoman Empire that had controlled the region for centuries. Thus, the image of countries emerging from long-standing colonial rule as a subtle attempt to justify their objection to the Partition Plan is simply false.
Obama tells the story of the establishment of the State of Israel in two sentences, which are nothing short of outright revisionist history.
Obama tells the story of the establishment of the State of Israel in two sentences, which are nothing short of outright revisionist history: “As Britain withdrew, the two sides quickly fell into war. And with Jewish militias claiming victory in 1948, the state of Israel was officially born.”
Wow. I don’t even know where to begin. The two sides didn’t “fall into war” when Britain withdrew; the two sides had been fighting for decades, with the Arabs – who rejected more than half-a-century of efforts to establish a Jewish state in the region – attacking the Jews, and the Jews defending themselves. When the British then left the area in May 1948, the Jews made a very difficult decision to declare their independence based on the U.N. Partition Plan, which gave the right for a Jewish state alongside an Arab state.
There were no “Jewish militias claiming victory.” There was a unified Jewish army that formed the Israel Defense Forces, which knew that the surrounding Arab countries would begin an all-out assault to destroy Israel the moment its Jewish leadership declared an independent fledgling Jewish state. And that is exactly what the Arab armies did. The new State of Israel fought off that assault for months, emerging in 1949 both weakened and fragile.
Obama’s perspective on the formation of the State of Israel no doubt affected his foreign policy regarding the Jewish state. If one sees Israel as a colonial force occupying the land as a result of its armed militias, then it will be treated as an outsider that wronged others to establish itself as a state. The former president misleads others into believing this, as well.
The most disingenuous sentence of Obama’s history of Israel is in his description of what happened during the 30 years following Israel’s establishment: “For the next three decades, Israel would engage in a succession of conflicts with its Arab neighbors ….”
What? I had to read that sentence many times because I could not believe that a president of the United States could write such misleading, deceptive and damaging words about his country’s close ally.
Israel did not “engage” in any conflict with the surrounding Arab countries. The Arab armies and their terrorists attacked Israel again and again, and Israelis fought to defend themselves.
A straightforward history of Middle East wars involving Israel yields this basic truth. Facts are facts, and the former president’s misrepresentation of Israel as a country that sought conflict instead of peace – one that willingly engaged in wars with the Arabs – does an injustice to peace-seeking Israel and riles up anti-Israel sentiment.
Obama’s description of the 1967 Six-Day War continues this revisionism: “A greatly outnumbered Israeli military routed the combined armies of Egypt, Jordan and Syria. In the process, Israel seized control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, and the Golan Heights from Syria.”
Here he fails to address what led up to the war, when all those Arab armies gathered along Israel’s borders and declared their intention to wipe it off the map. He doesn’t describe Israel’s pleading with Jordan not to enter the war, nor that Jordan altogether had no legal rights to the West Bank, which it occupied in 1948 and annexed against international law in 1950.
Most significantly, Obama fails to mention Israel’s willingness, immediately after the war, to withdraw from all the areas that it won in its defensive battle in exchange for peace; and by extension, he also fails to tell of the Arab League’s “Three No’s” in response to that offer: no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel and no negotiations with Israel.
This omission serves once again to portray Israel as the aggressive occupier that seeks conflict and not peace.
The former president continues with another outright falsehood, which helps give insight into his policies regarding Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The “rise of the PLO (the Palestinian Liberation Organization)” was a “result” of the Six-Day War he writes. That makes it seem like the Palestinian liberation movement, including its violent and murderous attacks against Israelis, was only a result of Israel’s taking control over the West Bank, eastern Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
It strengthens the message that if only Israel would vacate these areas, there would be peace between Israel and the Palestinians. This is what spurs leaders around the world to suggest that Israeli settlements in these areas are the obstacle to peace in the region.
But there is one flaw with this story and logic. It’s not true. The PLO was established in 1964 – three years before Israel was in control of any of those “occupied” areas and three years before there were any settlements.
What exactly was this Palestinian organization liberating at that time? Is there any conclusion other than the liberation of the Jewish state in its entirety? What other option could there be?
This is why the “Free Palestine” movement chants, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” They are against the existence of Israel anywhere between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. They see such a state as a colonial enterprise with armed militias grabbing the land of others, just as Obama leads readers to believe when describing the formation of the state.
The false description of the PLO rising after 1967 serves the narrative that the “occupation” and the settlements are the cause of the conflict, and this, no doubt, had a direct impact on Obama’s “not one brick” policy, including freezing settlement construction, in an effort to bring about peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Obama describes the failed Camp David accords of 2000, in which former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered the Palestinians more than 90 percent of what they were asking for. “Arafat demanded more concessions, however, and talks collapsed in recrimination,” he writes. But the talks didn’t simply “collapse.” Sixty-six days later, Arafat unleashed the Second Intifada, in which 1,137 Israeli civilians were murdered and 8,341 were maimed by Yasser Arafat-funded terrorists who blew themselves up in Israeli buses and cafes.
Don’t trust my word on this. Mamduh Nofal, former military commander of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, revealed that following Camp David, “Arafat told us, ‘Now we are going to fight so we must be ready.’”
In addition, Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar said in September 2010 that in the summer of 2000, as soon as Arafat understood that all of his demands would not be met, he instructed Hamas, Fatah and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades to begin attacking Israel. And Mosab Hassan Yousef, son of Hamas founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef, has verified that the Second Intifada was pre-planned by Arafat.
Not only does Obama fail to accurately connect the Second Intifada to Arafat’s not receiving everything the Palestinians asked for at Camp David – demands that would have prevented Israel from being able to defend itself against Palestinian terrorism – but he seems to place the blame for the intifada on Israel.
He describes the September 2000 visit of Israel’s opposition leader and subsequent prime minister, Ariel Sharon, to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem as “provocative” and a “stunt” that “enraged Arabs near and far.”
But Obama neglects to mention that Sharon only visited there after Israel’s Interior Ministry received assurances from the security chief of the Palestinian Authority that no uproar would arise as a result of the visit.
In fact, Jibril Rajoub, head of Preventive Security in the West Bank, confirmed that Sharon could visit the sensitive area as long as he did not enter a mosque or pray publicly, rules to which Sharon adhered.
Obama describes the Temple Mount as “one of Islam’s holiest sites,” making no mention that it is the holiest site in Judaism.
Even more incredibly, Obama describes the Temple Mount as “one of Islam’s holiest sites,” making no mention that it is the holiest site in Judaism.
An innocent reader who is unfamiliar with the region and its history reads this and concludes that it was simply wrong for a Jewish leader to walk onto a Muslim religious site. On the other hand, if he or she knew that it is the holiest site for Jews, then they would more likely wonder why there was anything wrong with Sharon’s having gone there – except Obama omits that part, leading anyone to conclude that Sharon was in the wrong.
That omission, together with the exclusion of Arafat’s plans for the intifada right after negotiations at Camp David failed, can only lead one to conclude that Israel was responsible for the five years of bloodshed during the Second Intifada.
Obama’s history lesson continues with the tension between Israel and Gaza. Remarkably, he makes zero mention of the Israeli disengagement from Gaza in 2005, when Israel pulled out all of its troops from the strip while forcing 9,000 Jewish citizens to leave their homes.
Anyone reading the president’s description of the wars between Israel and Hamas would never know that Israel no longer “occupies” Gaza, and that the Palestinians have been free to build a wondrous “Israeli-free” Palestinian state there for the last 15 years. That omission is glaring.
Finally, Obama’s misleading words describing Israel’s response to Hamas rocket fire on its civilian population only serves to inflame and incite anti-Israel sentiment worldwide. That response, he writes, included “Israeli Apache helicopters leveling entire neighborhoods” in Gaza – Apache helicopters that he identifies as coming from the United States, a subtle or not-too-subtle questioning of whether the United States should be providing Israel with military aid if it is used in this manner.
More importantly, what does he mean by “leveling entire neighborhoods,” other than to imply that Israel indiscriminately bombs Gazan neighborhoods, willfully murdering innocent people? And what human being on Earth wouldn’t be riled up to condemn Israel for such inhumane activity?
The problem is that it’s false. Israel targets terrorist leaders and the rockets that they fire into Israeli cities. Tragically, Hamas leaders use innocent Palestinians as human shields by hiding behind them in civilian neighborhoods, and by launching rockets into Israel from there and from hospitals and mosques.
Israel does its best not to kill innocent people, even airdropping leaflets announcing an imminent airstrike, and calls off missions to destroy rocket launchers or kill terrorist leaders when there are too many civilians in the area. Israel most certainly does not launch retaliatory attacks that aimlessly “level” entire neighborhoods.
I have no problem with criticism of Israel. We can debate the issues in intellectually honest discussions, and in the end, we may have to agree to disagree about Israel’s policies. But no one should accept a book that is filled with historical inaccuracies that invariably lead innocent and unknowing readers to reach false conclusions. Such a devastating book has real-life ramifications and consequences.
It is terribly disappointing. I surely would have expected truth, accuracy and fairness from Barack Obama, America’s 44th president. But the falsehoods and inaccuracies in this memoir only feed the theory that Obama was, in fact, anti-Israel. Now, through A Promised Land, he seeks to convince others to join him.
Reprinted with permission from JNS.org
Dov Lipman served as a member of the 19th Knesset.
(62) Jeff Bracey, December 26, 2020 4:40 PM
Obama's bigotry.
Such comments from a President of the US is frightening. Obama allows his petulant bigotry to endanger all of us by supporting a narrative that has no basis in fact.
Obama's legacy supported by unthinking Democrats will continue to do harm, unless Joe Biden quickly realises the dangers of the reality that faces him.
(61) Carol Barham, December 12, 2020 3:07 AM
GOD set the boundaries for Israel.......
The boundaries for the nation of Israel were spoken to and given the JEWS by GOD. Thankfully, it is recorded in the Torah and the Prophets...and recorded in what Christians call the Bible. GOD named Israel and the land of Israel and decreed the boundaries. Prayers for Peace and Protection for all the land of ISRAEL. May the blessings continue to rise up in the nation and the land be free from any conflicts........PEACE....SHALOM to ISRAEL.
(60) Michael meyer, December 9, 2020 6:20 PM
Having read the book I agree that his negation of the history is distorted and can mislead people who are not familiar with the history. It’s all very well to point this out to your readership but is it not time for Aish to confront Obama of his representation and to publicly ask him to correct the inaccuracies and publish the facts . Invite him to retract and amend that area of his book. It is not sufficient to publish these facts only to your readership but to take him on in the general media.
(59) Menachem, December 9, 2020 3:05 PM
expectations
Surprise Surprise Sgt. Carter
(58) Jay Mandelker, December 8, 2020 7:15 PM
Sad that some naive people will believe
Because he was POTUS, millions will take for truth whatever he says. I’m not comparing him to Hermann Goering but if you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it. Those who haven’t studied that history, know no better so are easily swayed by whatever they hear, be it fiction or fact. He should publicly apologize and correct himself.
(57) Martin, December 8, 2020 9:32 AM
I will name Aish.com and JNS
A Christian pro-Jewish/Zionist/Israel RevelationTV channel here in the UK invited me a Jewish viewer to be interviewed about my life in the Jewish East End Of London during my early years The programme The Middle East Report was aired and included the time I travelled/worked abroad and made unsuccessful Aliyah and my short time in the IDF.It is shown on YouTube.
My appearance as just a regular Jew received a good response and I was invited back with Peter Baum a member of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and founder of Southend Friends of israel in which the question of President Trumps empathy with Israel and the potential harm by Biden and his far left backers in Congress and elsewhere will impact on the area .
This televised last Friday and Sunday and expected to be shown also on YouTube tomorrow
I look keenly to receiving daily updates from Aish.com and now JNS so this information regarding the Jew hating son of a Muslim Kikuyu father who was imprisoned by the British as a Maumau terrorist. He murdered not only British civilians but also black Africans.
Like father like son, in thought if not deed.
As a Jew with deep self respect I fail to understand fellow Jews who slavishly follow the farleft Fascists in theUK and those in the USA who similarly follow the Jewhating likes of those in the Democrat Party in Congress.
This is just a carry on from those Jews who would not intervene on behalf of those Jews who looked different to them because of their observance. How shameful to show such a lack of self respect and confidence.
Peter Baum and I have been invited back in about 3-4 months time by Simon Barrett the host to discuss any changes in policy affecting the outcome of Trumps policies in a Israel and the Middle East.
Anonymous, December 8, 2020 10:23 PM
Thank you Martin!
May your endeavor to expose the truth be very fruitful!
(56) Lopeti Viti, December 8, 2020 8:07 AM
'Orator-in-chief'...?
'...as sounding brass and tinkling cymbal' in Moses' lisp
(55) Aaron Kinsberg, December 8, 2020 6:04 AM
Implications for the Biden Presidency & the US
A review of Obama’s biography is reason for his lefty anti Jewisj view. One must be very concerned that Biden is going to continue Obama’s middle east anti Israel policy. He will resuscitate the call for Israel to make concessions. He may even punish Israel for Jewish population growth in Yehudah, Shomron and enen Yetushalayim. He will destroy Trump’s accomplishments. Expect him to remove US backing of the Saudi fighting itsnian backed militias in Yemen. What is just as dangerous is that his book will become a cornerstone of the lefty anti Semitic camp. It gives legitimacy to their actions. Don’t expect liberal/lefty Jews or liberal/lefty Jews to confemn or even criticize Obama.
(54) Ester Zuckerman, December 7, 2020 4:14 PM
I wonder if knowing this revised biased view would have deterred American sKews from voting for Obama
Most American Jews in Israel sensed his animosity to Israel even way back The proof is now evident to everyone I hope he won't be pulling the strings of the Biden administration
Abe Fenster, December 7, 2020 9:27 PM
This comment raises a red flag about Biden, because...
This comment raises a red flag about Biden, because Biden is so indebted to Obama because without President Obama and his followers there would be no President-Elect Biden. Unfortunately, many American Jews have never developed a love for Israel. President Obama's relationship with Rev. Jeremiah Wright was truly a red flag.
(53) Mara Berman Giulianti, December 7, 2020 4:39 AM
Meet with Pres-elect Biden & VP-elect Harris to correct the record
I think it is important to sit down with President-Elect Biden & VP-Elect Harris to use the book as an opportunity to give accurate information to them, for the good of all parties, to improve relations. Particularly in light of Netanyahu’s cold reception to the Biden presidency. Since most American Jews are Democrats & voted overwhelmingly for Biden, this is crucial.
Anonymous, December 7, 2020 2:23 PM
Crucial?
What IS crucial is for American Jews to understand that democrats are not pro Israel. This makes sense as Democrats are not pro religion or pro God or or pro life or pro facts. The fact that most Jews continue to vote Democrat will not change this.
(52) Bonnie MacGregor, December 7, 2020 2:56 AM
thank you for article
thank you for the article. I wouldn't read Obama's book. He was dishonest as a President and he had very much to do with the unrest of the United States. He also started the disrespect and shame of our ancestors. The order for Navy Seals to stand down in Benghazi and the beginning of ISIS.
(51) Anonymous, December 7, 2020 1:15 AM
Excellent rebuttal of the many anti-israel historical inaccuracies in this book.
(50) Irene Silverman, December 6, 2020 7:15 PM
Has this article been sent to President Obama and the publisher?
Has this article been sent to President Obama and the publisher ?
(49) Judy Busby, December 6, 2020 7:00 PM
Truth Revealed
Somehow the true history of Israel needs to be taught to children and their parents in the USA. History has been canceled in the USA and it has to be put back in our schools. Are we allowed to forward this story?
Mark Mintz, December 9, 2020 4:09 PM
USA education system teaching truth?
Agreed. However, the US education system is tragically not even teaching the true history of America any more and is trying to revise it further (i.e. the 1619 Project).
(48) Jeanne Lewis, December 6, 2020 4:13 PM
Publicize this widely
I don't know how far this article has been spread, but it should be plastered on billboards EVERYWHERE. We should be all over the publishers of this book. We need media to spread the obvious inaccuracies of this book. We need to finally show Obama for his true colors. Thank you for this article.
(47) ELIZABETH, December 6, 2020 3:38 PM
Obama's Memoir Exposes His Hatred of Israel
WOW. Proof of his anti-Israel beliefs FINALLY exposed in his own writing.
(46) Clifton Webb, December 6, 2020 3:34 PM
Great article
Great article. "is filled with historical inaccuracies " That about sums up Baracks life. He seems to be a good family man. But when it comes to being opportunistic, he is par excellence.
(45) Maria Dodoc, December 6, 2020 1:00 PM
Thank You!
(44) Uri Yitzchak, December 5, 2020 10:57 PM
He has never been a friend of our People.
(43) Lissa Goldman, December 5, 2020 7:27 PM
Excellent informative article
This article should be read by all to prepare ourselves for the next generation of Democratic voters. It does not look promising. Thank you for informing your readers .
(42) Prechard B. M. Basaiawmoit, December 5, 2020 2:38 PM
Correcting or rewriting ?
Rewriting history is motivated and not necessarily is correcting history. Former U. S. President Obama should rework to make corrections.
(41) Carol Barham, December 5, 2020 5:11 AM
Praying for Israel after the release of Obama book inaccuracies
As a Christian who was taught to Love the JEWS, Pray for Israel and the Holy Land of Israel, my heart is very heavy regarding the inaccuracy of the History of the book by Pres. Obama from both a Biblical standpoint and a Historical standpoint. Israel was and is a promised land for Israel. That was done by GOD, not man. I will continue to pray. Thank you for sharing. It is crucial that Israel governs this land. Blessings to all of Israel and over and into every square meter or inch of the land given to Jews by GOD. May the land and people of Israel be protected in every way.
(40) Shlomo, December 4, 2020 8:21 PM
Chapter 25 Bankruptcy.
I just started 'The Promised Land.' Thank you Rebbe Lipman for your well-written explication. It bears repeating: If Palestine and its supporters lay down their arms there can be peace. If Israel lays down its arms, there will be no more Israel.
(39) Anonymous, December 4, 2020 4:12 PM
OBAMA DID NOT LIVE THROUGH THE THIRTIES IN EUROPE WHEN THE PERSECUTION OF THE JEWS WAS BECOMING RAMPANT AND THEY ALL WANTED TO LEAVE EUROPE, BUT NO ONE WOULD ACCEPT THEM--HE DID NOT ACCURATELY TAKE HIS FACTS FROM BOOKS--HE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT TR
UP TO NOW, i HAVE BEEN A SUPPORTER OF OBAMA AND ADMIRED HIM AS A PRESIDENT AND HIS POLICIES--UPON READING THIS LETTER, I AM SHOCKED. i KNOW AS A CHILD WHO ARRIVED IN THE UNITED STATES, HOW THE JEWS IN THE CZECK REPUBLIC WERE TRYING TO LEAVE AND NO ONE WOULD ACCEPT THEM. 6 MILLION WERE KILLED-OBAMA MUST REVISE HIS BOOK WITH YOUR EMAIL. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY I WILL RESPECT HIM-- HE WAS NOT ALIVE DURING THESE TIMES,AND HAS NOT DEEPLY DELVED INTO THE DEEP HISTORY OF THE PERSECUTION OF THE JEWS EVEN BEFORE HITLER IN EUROPE. I AS A CHILD AM RELIVING THE FEAR OF ALL MY FRIENDS AND THEIR PARENTS WHO HAD NO PLACE TO GO. PLUS MY FATHER AND THE REST OF MY FAMILY.--6 MILLION JEWS WERE KILLED--NOT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE EUROPE BUT NO ONE WOULD ACCEPT THEM--OBAMA HAS TAKEN HIS FACTS THROUGH OTHER PEOPLES'S WRITINGS, NOT THROUGH THE ACCURATE WRITING OF THIS EMAIL. HE MUST GIVE ACCURACY OR TAKE OUT THIS CHAPTER OF HIS BOOK. HE HAS NO RIGHT TO REVISE HISTORY.
(38) Rivka Rachum, December 4, 2020 12:44 PM
The Promised Land
I've always loved President Obama. But I could never forgive him for the way he treated Netanyahu. I have not yet read the book, and am shocked at what you have written. Please, may I recommend that you send him your column as written, or elaborate it even further? He is on a book tour right now here in the U.S. and I have seen him several times on TV. No one has ever brought this up. I want to see him called on it!
(37) Anonymous, December 4, 2020 11:04 AM
Lipman needs to write to Obama and his Publisher and ask them to reprint this rebuttal along with their response in major newspapers. If Obana and publisher do not do that or respond, then Lipman and major Jewish Organizations should initiate a libel case against Obama and his publisher for creating irreparable harm.
(36) mindiy wertheimer, December 4, 2020 4:19 AM
So sorry to read this about Obama.
So sorry to hear Obama's revisionist stance on Israel's history. It's very upsetting to me. Thanks for sharing this article.
(35) Anonymous, December 4, 2020 2:22 AM
Did not show how present US policy, before Trump, was affected by historical understanding.
While what the author says maybe true, he has not established that Obama’s policy, as well as the policies of many Republican presidents, from Eisenhower to W, were incorrect. Sure, the US under Obama criticised Israel’s policy of land settlements, but this is a legitimate policy statement given the political situation as it exists today. Jews were buying contiguous land, bringing more Jews to work the land, at the expense of Arab labourers, early in the 20th century. This created tensions, which are reflected today. What happened 100 years ago, however, while it might have affected what’s happening today, does not change my moral and beneficial evaluations of present day Israel’s policies. As some comments point out, the article is divisive, without establishing constructive suggestions.
Dvirah, December 6, 2020 6:30 PM
Twisting Motives
Of course they were buying land - not stealing it! It's the whole point. One can only see this as negative if one denies that Jews have any rights in the area.
Rich, December 29, 2020 5:20 PM
So Jews can't legally purchase land in their homeland? Based on what;
the internationally recognized illegal occupation by Jordan of Judea and Samaria from 1948 through 1967? Can Christians buy land? What about Buddhists? Do you realize how biased your statement is? You should read some history books regarding the infusion of Arabs for work when the large immigration of Jews occurred in the late 19th and early 20th century.
(34) Anonymous, December 4, 2020 1:56 AM
Lies that multiply
Obama’s book needs to be placed in the “Fiction” section . I’m glad this article was written so that the truth is revealed. I just hope that those that read this ridiculous book actually read this article. It’s too bad that “anyone “ is allowed to write a book and call himself an author.
(33) Anonymous, December 4, 2020 12:58 AM
Obama-helping to set the stage!
In 2008 when Obama first ran for president, a dear friend (who has since passed away) said to me," whach this guy-he's a closet Muslim. Barrack 'Husien' Obama has roots in Islam & won't be a friend to Israel. At the time I didn't think much of my friends thoughts. Well fast forward 4 years, I could see my friend was absolutely correct. It was like he read the future. In the 2012 election I was like,"anybody but this guy!' didn't care for Romney but, voted for him. Now this inaccurate book by him ( with perfect timing) is by desiegn to cause Israel as much harm as possible. It's the progressive lefts helper to help further their agenda of division & mistrust. I am amazed at how people don't see that the Democratic party is not the same as it was in Kennedy's day. Progressive is only another way of saying "Communist." make no mistake about it! With Biden & Harris in control-we are ALL in big trouble,watch and see! Like another commenter mentioned that the stage is being set for end time events of biblical proportion. You reap what you sow-we are going to reap the"Whirlwind" and that with no mercy. This is the end of the World as we have known it. We all just might be saying-"I wish it was still 2020. May G-D help us all! Amen.
(32) chavi hertz, December 4, 2020 12:46 AM
The problem is we are preaching to the choir, we need to get this out to the general public who have no understanding of the reality of the situation.
(31) Warren Viner, December 3, 2020 11:43 PM
Has Barack Obama been made aware of his inaccuracies?
If not then someone must clear this up for him so that he can recant. Give him the chance to redeem himself.
Anonymous, December 4, 2020 3:05 PM
Very naive
He sat in a Holocaust denier’s church for decades. He does not like Jews. With all due respect, your comment shows naivety and an unwillingness to accept the truth about this man.
(30) Ekpe Ekpe, December 3, 2020 10:17 PM
THIS BOOK MUST BE STOPPED!!!
Obama, a usually intelligent man, and as President of the United States, has access to all the information he required to write his book. However, in what I consider hate speech, he deliberately and ominously twisted and omitted the facts. Obama is clearly showing his true hand. Younger and future generations of readers are more likely to accept the lies presented in the book as facts, since it's written by a person who should know. Israel should officially call out Obama to withdraw the book from circulation and remove the lies before it causes more damage than it probably has already done. That is of course with the exception that God or Satan is using Obama to set the stage for end time events.
David Hunt, December 3, 2020 11:20 PM
Correct!
I totally agree with you.
(29) Anonymous, December 3, 2020 9:39 PM
you accuse Obama of what you do
You spin and read into what he wrote, as much or more than you claim he does with history ... with OUR history.
History is not facts!
Stop with the division!!!
Anonymous, December 8, 2020 7:07 AM
Thank you!
They misrepresent and twist Obama’s words just like they accuse Obama of doing in his book! It is so insane. It is trickery but in plain sight. This is all political discussion seems to be now!
(28) Anonymous, December 3, 2020 9:35 PM
Obama’s long-held bias against Israel
I intended to buy Obama’s book and was eager to read it. Not anymore. Thank you Dov Lipman for identifying Obama’s historical inaccuracies. You’ve illuminated Obama’s long and deeply held bias against Israel.
(27) Steven Edelman, December 3, 2020 8:50 PM
Obama was educated by an anti-semitic Preacher.
Obama NEVER learned the truth about Israel and the persecution of Jews. I have the clearest picture of him as a blatant anti-semite. I never voted for him and can find no reason to change my opinions of this dishonest and bigoted man.
(26) Wade, December 3, 2020 8:50 PM
The word Palestine
Why do people INSIST on calling the land of Israel PALESTINE? I had no idea G-d created this land under the name of the "Holy land Of Palestine." Why do you people use a made up Roman slave name, an INSULTING word like calling an African American the "N" word, why do YOU, or anyone, keep doing this?
(25) Brenda, December 3, 2020 8:14 PM
Self-Hating Jews
I hope the “Self-Hating Jews” of America, the ones that deified Obama, read this article and learn something from it. For some reason we Jews take the lazy route and believe all the “propaganda” pushed by the media and do not spend enough time to learn the truth for ourselves. Thank you for making the actual history easy for us to read and understand.
Anonymous, December 4, 2020 3:07 PM
Exactly
Exactly
(24) Harriet LYALL, December 3, 2020 7:42 PM
I'm so disappointed in Obama
I'm so disappointed in Obama: I was delighted when he got elected, I thrilled to his superb oratory and was deeply impressed he'd made it to the top, from a minority background. I live in Scotland, and Obama appealed to us Brits because he has a very "European" style. We approved of his work on healthcare and other socially equalizing and including initiatives. It surprised us, how lukewarm some Americans seemed about Obama, however I'm beginning to understand why.
Those British and US politicians who take Obama's line on Israel are
a) speaking out of turn, pontificating on another country defending its citizens;
b) wasting time on issues which are irrelevant to their own democratic mandate. Strange as it sounds, if I'm honest, I am more exercised about local crime, or dog fouling on the streets of Merchiston, where I've lived for 42 years, and for whose upkeep I pay taxes, than I am about the Middle East. Although I'm a proud Jew and I broadly I support Israel, that's as far as my involvement goes, and I seriously couldn't give a stuff what Obama or any other non-Israeli politician has to say about the activities of the IDF or indeed any other foreign army.
c} I feel desperately sorry for all refugees and abused and vulnerable people and also animals, and I want to help them as best I can. The Obamas of this world just go around shaking hands, giving lectures and writing books. They don't feed, clothe, educate or care for anyone. Politicians inhabit a narcissistic bubble. They affect to care, but all they care about is their own ego. Obama is not ameliorating the plight of Palestinian kiddies caught up in a war zone, he's probably exacerbating it.
d) Politicians such as Obama in the States, and Jeremy Corbyn in Britain, do nothing to assist victims of conflict, but they DO succeed in compromising the security of their fellow citizens who happen to be Jewish. Such politicians end up making the world a worse, not better place.
Joseph A. Apicella, December 3, 2020 10:48 PM
Your views are very common in the U.S.
To sum up. Why do we get involved in the affairs of foreign countries when we have no intention of sending troops. Any politician who tried to bring up the draft would never get elected. We pay proxy countries to fight our wars.
(23) Mark Glatt, December 3, 2020 7:37 PM
Please get the facts
Before I get accused of anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism
I am Jewish. pro-Israel (with two IDF boys and seven grandkids living in Ertz Yisrael) and a FIERCE ANTI-OBAMA.
So if your accuse him of being a revisionist - the author should also play by the same rules
Reb Lipman your numbers by consensus are totally off.
Jews did not hit the 100 grand amount until the mid late 20's and the population even went down during WWI - PLEASE CORRECT YOUR ARTICLE - accuracy even when it is not in our favor is important!
in large numbers way before then; considerably more than 100,000 immigrants arrived in the late 19th century and beginning of the 20th century
Dvirah, December 4, 2020 12:16 PM
Discrepancy
If considerably more than 100,000 immigrants arrived in the late 19th century and beginning of the 20th, then how is it that Jews did not hit the 100 grand amount until the mid late 20's?
Mark Glatt, December 4, 2020 3:14 PM
They didn't
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jewish-and-non-jewish-population-of-israel-palestine-1517-present
Many left during WWI - by being pressured by the Ottomans
(22) Anonymous, December 3, 2020 7:35 PM
Thank you for speaking the truth
It was always obvious to me that Obama hates Israel just as much as he hates his own country. He is a socialist through and through. I had to keep my mouth shut for 8 years because anyone that dared question the first African-American President was instantly called racist. I am quiet no longer. Jews that can’t see the truth will be the ones responsible for our own downfall.
(21) Neria, December 3, 2020 5:46 PM
Thank you
Thank you so much Rabbi Lipman for straight facts about Israel and the Mideast. You are right- it is a shame that ex- President Obama could be so progressive on domestic American affairs and so blind about the Middle East. It's high time for the whole world to focus on the facts about Israel and the region instead of being blinded by misplaced emotions.
(20) Jeff leach, December 3, 2020 5:33 PM
Parable
There’s an old parable about the frog and the scorpion ....
(19) Robert S. April, December 3, 2020 4:46 PM
I thought the history of Zionism and the birth of our nation to be even handed
Dov Lipman's article, which I read last week, prompted me to run to my Corner Book Store to browse the sections on Israel that I found in the index. I thought his rendition of the history of Zionism, the British mandate, the Holocaust, the UN declaration, the Arab refusal, and the many wars was very even handed and correct. I think we must move on from the past era of Obama-bashing, see his memoirs as a kind of expression of remorse and teshuvah, and remember his admiinstration never tightened the pursestrings of USA support of our Jewish state.
Dvirah, December 4, 2020 12:37 PM
Unlikely
If he left out Khartoum and the 3 "no"s, the account cannot be considered correct. There's a saying that half a truth is a whole lie.
Rachel, December 7, 2020 8:59 PM
Rabbi Lipman gave up his US citizenship ...
...so that he could run and be elected to the Knesset. I am not criticizing his choice to exercise that right.
However, I don't think it's appropriate for a non-citizen of the US to engage in criticizing the former president's views of a foreign country. We all have our prejudices. It's clear that Rabbi Lipman is most interested in US policy vis a vis Israel. However, as an American Jew, I am most concerned with US domestic policy and its impact on Americans. I would not vote for an anti-Israel candidate, but I have no problem with a US president's focus on US interests.
(18) Joy C. Lyle, December 3, 2020 4:44 PM
Todah Rabbah!
Thank you so much for this succint response to such a misleading book. It will help me as I counter Anti-Zionism myself! Todah Rabbah!
(17) Jack Howard, December 3, 2020 4:23 PM
Feeling Grateful to Obama
I am finally feeling SOME gratitude for Obama. Or as I recall him now, the Second Imperial President. Lord Obama. As an elected official myself in the end of his second term, we saw how he seemed to delight to offending our rural communities...from blocking PILT to claiming fed water sovereignty rights.
My gratefulness is because of his memoir. Reminding me of why I wisely detested his shallow, deceptive, poseur presidency. His is the first presidency I recall not with a sense of forgiving distance. Even George Bush, I recall with some small degree of wistfulness.
Not this scheming, lying man.
From mischaracterizing history ("occupation" power of the colonialist West) to empowering Arab terrorism. And overall, given too much latitude to be a GQ figurehead by the adoring Left. His decisions to embrace the divisive partisanship of Gingrich damaged this country in ways that may never be repaired. Korea and Iran, immigrant policy and weaponizing federal agencies (in ways that got Trump impeached). And as Trump himself noted to Biden; "...you're why I'm president."
(16) Jim, December 3, 2020 4:19 PM
Give to AIPAC!
There is no way to deal with leftist anti-Semitism, like Obama's, other than silently to give generously to AIPAC. Academics, like Obama, need someone to hate, Shylock never dies for them. I am an academic and hear it constantly. So every time I hear someone pretend anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitism, rather than argue and potentially lose my job to the Cancel Culture, I make a donation to AIPAC.
(15) J, December 3, 2020 4:09 PM
Propaganda
I am disappointed with the content of this article, as I suspected it would be a biased view of President Obama and a misrepresentation of his writings. Unless you are or have read the book because this person served as a Israeli official who wouldnt believe he was truthful. I immediately went to chapter 25 and the first untruth was that Obama only referenced the "Arabs most holiest site" which is totally false. Obama has consistently portrayed as anti-Zionist and anti-Israel which I dont believe are true. Are there differences of opinion? yes. But there I'd something more sinister at work here for America's only President if color which is very unfortunate.
Anonymous, December 4, 2020 12:48 PM
Not Convincing
The quote was "one of Islam"s holiest sites" not "the Arabs' most holiest site" (which by the way is poor English). If Obama did refer to the legitimate Jewish interest in the site, you should quote the passage in its entirety, otherwise your statement has no substance.
(14) Jonathan Shopiro, December 3, 2020 4:04 PM
Please publish Obama's response
I hope that if Obama responds to this article, Aish will publish it.
(13) Roy Arluck, December 3, 2020 3:56 PM
Yasher koach Dov! Thank G-d for people like you!!
Thank you for representing all fair minded people and all us Jews so intellectually correct! The Trump presidency revealed and proved that there is truthful and false news and narratives. While there always have been people like Obama who think their egos have a right to re-write history, truth will prevail.
(12) Jan Rochester, December 3, 2020 3:47 PM
revisionists
Interesting article; people are entitled to their opinions but not entitled to create their own facts.
Mark Glatt, December 3, 2020 9:48 PM
Unfortunately......
Reb Libman also distorted facts - about the Jewish population.
And as I wrote in my comment - I am nowhere near pro Obama nor anti Israel (with children and grandkids there). I am however involved in the media - and I believe the facts - even though they might not be what we want to hear - are still the facts.
The number of Jews in post WWI Palestine - were not even close to Reb Libman's number
(11) Anonymous, December 3, 2020 3:42 PM
How do others get informed about the true context?
I haven't read the book either, but the passages quoted in the article are alarming at best. Is there any way to publicize at least the contextual information?
(10) GERALD PLATT, December 3, 2020 3:40 PM
Obamas true sentiments are relevant to the next us administration.
https://www.jns.org/opinion/obamas-true-sentiments-are-relevant-to-the-next-us-administration/
(9) Anonymous, December 3, 2020 3:33 PM
So right wing!!!
I enjoy so much Aish website. But either right or left extremist is not good. Maybe staying out of políticos would be a good idea
(8) Jewell, December 3, 2020 3:06 PM
#46
Sadly Biden will be more of the same! Yet so many American Jews supported them both!
(7) Anonymous, December 3, 2020 2:58 PM
Such a true article
(6) Joseph A. Apicella, December 3, 2020 1:12 PM
Anti-Israel perhaps to strong a word
I haven't read the book. As an American I have not seen any anti-Israel position taken by an American politician. Remember America does not want to get involved in a foreign war in the Middle East. Not everything that is good for Israel would be good for us. Israel is on record as never wanting American troops. This definitely is in its favor. I have never meet an American Jew who was anti-Israel and most of those I have known are liberal Democratic and are strongly in favor of freedom of religion. and freedom from religion.
Gary, December 3, 2020 3:09 PM
Eyes Wide Shut
"As an American I have not seen any anti-Israel position taken by an American politician." Then one must conclude that your eyes are closed.
Anonymous, December 3, 2020 8:09 PM
Liberal Jews need to wake up
There are 4 well known anti-Israel politicians currently in congress. The Democrat party of today is vastly different from what it used to be. They are openly pushing for Socialism and will get their way if they aren’t stopped. Once America falls, Israel will follow and we will have no one to blame but ourselves.
(5) Bobby5000, December 2, 2020 11:02 PM
other context
There is also little historical context for Israel's actions. Historically there were few people more passive than the Jews. When pogroms occurred, Jews rarely fought back and were easily killed and property or women taken. When the Nazis took over, compliance, weakness, and obedience became standard Jewish policies.
There was no retaliation on Krystallnacht and as rights were taken away, the star was required, and Jewish houses were taken they complied. Germans suffered massive casualties in World War II, but one of the safest things was murdering Jews. Typically, a German office like Eichmann would come to a Jewish Council, explain there was a required relocation, there might be an initial mild protest and he would explain the Gestapo could come immediately and there would then be compliance. Jews would turn over valuables, be checked for weapons which were rare, and then be lined up, and then murdered, or sent to a concentration camp for slave labor or experiment. It seems simple in retrospect to say there should have been 200 plans to kill Hitler but apparently there were none but instead a rapid transfer of assets, and continuing rewards for Jewish persecution, but that would change with Israel.
Accurate intelligence and military strength were initial tasks. If people said they wished to get rid of the Jews, that would assumed to be true, regardless of later clarification. Retaliation became standard, rather than reliance upon people's good nature or the moral conscience of the world., there would be consequences for killings Jews. And if German Jews did not survive, Israel did with fewer casualties.
Obama seemed to ignore this. If every German Jewish leader during the Holocaust felt the need to comply, Netanyahu would protect Jewish safety even if that made the American leader unhappy.
Sarah, December 3, 2020 3:46 PM
Even though this is not the subject of a very true and important article, it is sad how you depict in such a way the Jews who suffered and were brutally murdered, It is an insult to their memories, as well as to those who survived and their descendants.
Anonymous, December 4, 2020 12:54 PM
Alternate View
I think it points up why some people are so outraged by Jews defending themselves. They just don't expect it. And don't like having their expectations upset.
Anonymous, December 7, 2020 9:02 PM
I agree Sarah
Blaming the victims is always wrong
(4) Willy Weber, December 2, 2020 10:44 PM
I personally question anything with Barack Obama name on it. Let alone trust what he says
(3) Eli, December 2, 2020 9:31 PM
No doubt each revisionist line was well vetted by his squad...
A memoir doesn't need to contain history lessons - the entire purpose is to convert readers into the anti-Israel perspective.
Many thanks for the analysis!
(2) Anonymous, December 2, 2020 9:29 PM
Well Said
The only thing I ever needed to know about Obama is that he sat in the church of a Holocaust denier for decades. What else should an American Jew need to know?
(1) ross, December 2, 2020 4:12 PM
Thanks for a nice article!
America in general has always been supportive of us, but Mr. Obama was guided by a certain philosophy of life which included the need to help the 'underdog', the oppressed people of the world. It's a noble cause, but first you have to know who is really being 'oppressed' and that can only be done through knowing the facts and more importantly, seeing things first-hand(!) Mr. Trump understands the situation very well, Mr. Biden perhaps less so, but not to the extent of Mr. Obama. The way Mr. Obama treated Mr. Netanyahu was deplorable, and that last kick at the UN really a statement of who he was. I just wonder why he wrote that chapter...to justify his own beliefs? He has much of the world on his side anyway. It's possible Mr. Biden will he helpful, but we must pray.
Abz, December 3, 2020 5:11 PM
Spot on with underdog comment
It becomes a habit of nature. Sorry to say this, to all Muslim friends and Black friends too, but people who tend to be poorer (underdog), see Israel as the mighty rich bully, who apparently is funded by America (Jewish and Israeli to American benefit ratio, is HEAVILY in favour of USA). It’s why Catholics are the same, even most leftist Jews from a poorer background. It’s sad that people compare slavery, the Holocaust and other terrible events to the “plight” of Palestinians. FYI, all these points were made with research. Finally, let’s remember Martin Luther King Jr was pro-Israel, JFK and now at least half the Arab world. There’s a reason the mullahs and Turks want the region to be unstable, poorer people. = more anti-Israel = distracted from the corrupt and failing governments = underdog lover syndrome, even when they’re in the wrong.
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/04/24/a-new-perspective-on-americans-views-of-israelis-and-palestinians/