Post by Paddy by Grace on Mar 28, 2010 15:51:39 GMT -7
Obama treatment of Netanyahu even shabbier than previously reported
israelmatzav.blogspot.com/2010/03/obama-treatment-of-netanyahu-even.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Obama deems Passover prayer “unhelpful”
By Shana Habbab Associated Press WriterWASHINGTON – President Obama said Thursday that the traditional Jewish prayer “Next Year in Jerusalem,” traditionally recited as the closing line of the Passover Seder meal, is “unhelpful” and asked Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu not to include the familiar refrain during Monday’s Seder meal.An unidentified Israeli official has confirmed that private discussions between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu included a strong request from the President that the upcoming Passover holiday not include the familiar line. The president said the passage is provocative and unhelpful for future peace talks, and administration officials suggested replacing it with “next year in peace” or “next year in Israel.”“The final wording of the prayer must be agreed upon by both the Israelis and Palestinians,” said Obama.A spokesman for Netanyahu said the prime minister balked at the request, saying the refrain dates back well before the UN Partition of 1947. The Prime Minister added that the declaration lacks any political significance, adding that most people living outside of Israel “just say the words without having a real desire to live anywhere in Jerusalem.” He further explained that, “at most, they would like to come for the Passover holiday, but only staying at one of the hotels located in western part of the city.”
israelmatzav.blogspot.com/2010/03/obama-treatment-of-netanyahu-even.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Obama deems Passover prayer “unhelpful”
By Shana Habbab Associated Press WriterWASHINGTON – President Obama said Thursday that the traditional Jewish prayer “Next Year in Jerusalem,” traditionally recited as the closing line of the Passover Seder meal, is “unhelpful” and asked Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu not to include the familiar refrain during Monday’s Seder meal.An unidentified Israeli official has confirmed that private discussions between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu included a strong request from the President that the upcoming Passover holiday not include the familiar line. The president said the passage is provocative and unhelpful for future peace talks, and administration officials suggested replacing it with “next year in peace” or “next year in Israel.”“The final wording of the prayer must be agreed upon by both the Israelis and Palestinians,” said Obama.A spokesman for Netanyahu said the prime minister balked at the request, saying the refrain dates back well before the UN Partition of 1947. The Prime Minister added that the declaration lacks any political significance, adding that most people living outside of Israel “just say the words without having a real desire to live anywhere in Jerusalem.” He further explained that, “at most, they would like to come for the Passover holiday, but only staying at one of the hotels located in western part of the city.”