Washington – The Obama administration says it has full confidence in the U.S. ambassador to Belgium, despite comments he made about anti-Semitism that prompted angry responses from Jewish groups and Republicans.
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Howard Gutman, who is Jewish and whose father survived the Holocaust, told a European Jewish gathering last week that some hatred of Jews reflected hostility toward Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. He said it was different from traditional anti-Semitism.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Monday that Gutman would remain in his post.
Toner said Gutman spoke as ambassador, yet expressed his own views. He declined to say if the administration disagreed with those views.
The White House on Saturday condemned anti-Semitism in all forms. Gutman did as well.
Jewish groups expressed outrage. Some Republican presidential candidates have demanded Gutman’s resignation.
Disagreement from myself a democrat. I think that antisemitism should be dealt with directly. What does the ADL and Simon Weisenthal say. Curious as to how this ambassador is so crucial to US relations. Ignorance? Or just Laziness.
Well, the truth may hurt but he is right! As an american ambassador and as a jew, he reflect at least my views…
The Obama-appointed ambassador to Belgium makes revolting comments that are dangerous for Israel and disgust most Jews (i.e., the above story).
The Obama-connected HildaBeast Clintoon makes revolting comments that are dangerous for Israel and disgust most Jews (essentially comparing Israel to Iran because of a small number of satmar/naturei karta nutcases who are not representative of Israel as a whole).
The Obama-joined-at-the-hip Leon Panetta makes revolting comments that are dangerous for Israel and disgust most Jews (his speech at the Brookings Institute in which he essentially said that Israel may as well get used to a nuclear Iran).
Under B. Hussein Obama we now see an intensity of Russian hatred of the U.S. not seen since the Cold War days of the Soviets.
The once-proud U.S. Space Program has been gutted as compared to before B. Hussein Obama.
Gas prices are MUCH higher than before B. Hussein Obama.
Unemployment is MUCH higher than before B. Hussein Obama.
Iran is MUCH closer to nuclear capability than before B. Hussein Obama.
And on and on and on, yet his mindless, hypnotized supporters continue to worship the Fool-in-Chief.
Save the country: Vote NOBAMA in 2012!
There is always a “good excuse” for anti-Semitism.
Apparently, Gutman found one and Obama agrees.
“Wright” on.
Gutman says that Jews are basically responsible for the recent rise in anti-semitism. Sadly, he is correct. Jews like Gutman ARE reaponsible for the rise in anti-Semitism, by blaming it all on us.
of course he won’t say anything against his Muslim brothers
Gutman wants to run away from his Judaism and make believe that Jews like him aren’t hated, only those that have to do with Israel. Old self-hating syndrome.
It’s more naivete and “drinking the kool-aid” of State Department than hateful. Fixing the Palestinian problem won’t get rid of Muslim anti-semitism.
He speaks like a SATMAR chusid, and he has a point!
All I can say, SHANDA!
The Arabs are waging a relentless campaign to destroy the Jewish state, and Israel must defend itself. The root of all the problems is Arab hatred of Jews. That is what the ambassador should be criticizing.
I think that regardless of political convictions, one who presides in a position which can have negative ramifications for Jews in any area of the world should have the responsibility to be careful what he says. It is no different than if I would shout on a loudspeaker in public that my neighbor at this and this address is now out at a movie. Now who is to blame if he comes home and sees his house ransacked?