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Residents of Israeli Town Complain about Obama Debate Reference

Oct. 24, 2012 9:51am
Residents of Sderot Israel Say Obama Debate Talking Points Exploited Them

Obama and Romney debate Monday in Boca Raton, Florida (Credit: Getty Images)

During Monday’s debate, when Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney pointed out that on his Middle East “apology tour,” President Obama had “skipped Israel, our closest friend in the region,” Obama swiped back with the rebuttal that he had once visited not only the Israeli Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem in Jerusalem but also the embattled town of Sderot during a 2008 visit as a candidate. Obama said Monday night:

And then I went down to the border towns of Sderot, which had experienced missiles raining down from Hamas. And I saw families there who showed me there where missiles had come down near their children’s bedrooms. And I was reminded of what that would mean if those were my kids. Which is why as president, we funded an Iron Dome program to stop those missiles.

After hearing the town mentioned in the debate, the Israeli paper Yediot Aharonot sent reporter Neri Brenner to Sderot to get reaction from residents there – including one man Obama met in July 2008.

Reporter Brenner tracked down Pinhas Amar whose home was struck by a direct hit from a Qassam rocket launched by terrorists in Gaza. Amar told the paper:

“This isn’t the first time that Obama is using his visit here as a winning card,” said Pinhas Amar, a Sderot resident who met with the leader during his trip to the border town in 2008. […]

“I am disappointed in his attitude towards Israel and his failure to keep his promises,” he added. “In my opinion he doesn’t really like Israel. He only visited here to get the Jewish vote.”

Amar is not convinced by Obama’s suggestion that his visit as a candidate to Sderot provides evidence of his unwavering commitment to the security of the Jewish state. Amar said:

“He’s a charmer,” he said. “He knows his rhetoric and has a very sharp tongue. He knows how to persuade people while looking them in the eye, but it’s all a sham. He says one thing, but he means another.”

Amar speculated that Obama wouldn’t be partner to a strike on Iran should the need for one arise. “We will have to deal with it alone,” he said.

Yediot points out that Obama has on previous occasions evoked his Sderot visit to demonstrate his dedication to Israel as he insists he won’t allow Iran to obtain a doomsday weapon. In his speech to the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC last year, Obama referred to his 2008 meeting with then 8-year-old Osher Tuito who lost part of a leg in a Qassam rocket attack:

When I went to Sderot and saw the daily struggle to survive in the eyes of an eight-year-old boy who lost his leg to a Hamas rocket, and when I walked among the Hall of Names at Yad Vashem, I was reminded of the existential fear of Israelis when a modern dictator seeks nuclear weapons and threatens to wipe Israel off the face of the map — face of the Earth.

Kobi Harush, head of security for Sderot, said of the Obama-Romney debate:

The reference to the trip was a political statement and nothing more…Someone has to remind him [Obama] that the rocket fire continued since his visit.

Sderot Mayor David Buskila did not criticize President Obama for mentioning his town. He said: “World leaders and the US president in particular mention Sdeort and their concern for the town as an expression of their concern for the State of Israel.”

Instead, Buskila took the opportunity to criticize the Israeli government for “not caring” and not doing enough to protect Sderot’s residents: “It’s insulting for every resident of Sderot,” he said. “They are spitting in the face of the heroic residents who protect the State of Israel, while the State of Israel fails to protect them in every way.”

This is not the first time Sderot has been utilized in the American political debate. Sderot resident David Farer wrote in PJ Media last month that the words of at least two Sderot residents featured in a pro-Obama ad were misleadingly edited to show strong support for Obama, when they had actually been meant to criticize the president’s relationship with Israel.

Farer wrote that in the National Jewish Democratic Council’s (NJDC) August ad purporting to show what Israelis on the front lines of conflict really think of President Obama, he recognized some of his neighbors and decided to investigate.

He re-interviewed the interviewees and found:

– One participant, Sasson Sara, was emphatic: “I do not support [Obama].” Sara claims the video omitted several words he spoke, thus giving his statement the appearance of conveying the exact opposite message Sara had intended.

The video shows Sara saying in Hebrew: “Sderot is important to him. The Jewish people are important to him. The state of Israel is important to him.”

Sasson claims he actually spoke the following in Hebrew: “If Sderot is important to him, the Jewish people are important to him, the state of Israel is important to him, then Obama should do more about Iran.”

Most of the interviewees in the Democratic ad seem to genuinely support the president. One of them appears to be the same individual Yediot Aharonot interviewed about Obama’s debate performance, the aforementioned Pinhas Amar, who has an ongoing critique of Obama. PJ Media reported:

– Another participant, Pinchas Ammar, told Farer that he does not support Obama and thinks Obama is not pro-Israel and does not understand Israel’s problems in the least. He was not happy to find himself in a film promoting Obama’s re-election.

Incredibly, this is not the first time Pinchas Ammar has been exploited by an Obama campaign.

When Obama visited Sderot in 2008, Obama himself promised Ammar he would fly him to Washington, D.C., to attend an inaugural ball if he were elected. Many witnesses were present to hear Obama’s promise. After a few months of excitement, the Ammars were disappointed when an invitation never arrived.

Ammar and his wife were seriously injured when a terrorist missile exploded in their kitchen. They have not been able to work since.

TheBlaze tried but was unable to reach him at his Sderot home. The phone company lists only one Pinhas Amar in Sderot, and his name could also be transliterated as Pinchas Ammar.

Beyond the opinion of Sderot residents on the U.S. elections, the New York Times reported Tuesday that American citizens voting via absentee ballot from Israel also seem to largely back Mitt Romney.

Romney has made four trips to Israel, the most recent of which was in July. During a previous trip Romney also visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Sderot.

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Comments (34)

  • FloraBelleza
    Posted on October 25, 2012 at 3:37am

    Add your comments

    Report this comment

    FloraBelleza  
  • FloraBelleza
    Posted on October 25, 2012 at 3:34am

    Obama always used kids in tragedy to said they can be my kids, I find this so low. He also complain about Romney to attend a fund raise during a visit to Israel, but he forget to mention how many fund raise he attend, include that one in Nevada, just into the next day that 4 Americans had been kill in Benghazi

    Report this comment

    FloraBelleza  
  • Grand design
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 9:51pm

    Support those who truly support Israel!

    Report this comment

    Grand design  
  • hades3
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 7:13pm

    Obama has called Romney a Carnival Barker. A Carnival Barker has something too sell. On the other hand Obama is Flim-Flam man, who has nothing to sell, his only motive is too take from those who he sees as suckers. Given a choice, for whom would you vote, especially since you have watched and heard the Flim-Flam man every day for 4 years , as well as during his campaign for office ? Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, is absolute proof I’m a fool !

    Report this comment

    hades3  
  • suz
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 6:24pm

    i will site the blaze and will copy/paste the sderot residents’ quotes in a post at the jewish journal which is way left. i’m convinced the only way jews and citizens who enjoy the jj would be informed of the truth is through the commenting. once in a while an article shows up w/some clarity.

    as a jew, i’m shocked at the love for bho there. shocked. i do believe there is a sickness in our citizens that has sprung, perhaps, from their upbringing. i just don’t know how you watch something and not know what it is based upon it’s movement, the money it spends and where it’s spent.

    Report this comment

    suz  
  • bonesiii
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 5:55pm

    “In my opinion he doesn’t really like Israel. He only visited here to get the Jewish vote.”
    That’s exactly what I thought when he said it.

    If I was Romney I would have responded simply, “BEFORE the election.”

    Report this comment

    bonesiii  
  • blackbean
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 12:27pm

    Not suprised by what o does to get his way. What a humanitarian, NOT!

    Report this comment

    blackbean  
  • Rillobymorning
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 11:14am

    Obama said all he needed to say when he made the statement about Israel going back to pre 1967 borders. If there is one Jewish person in this country that would still vote for him after that statement, I would want to ask them why?

    Report this comment

    Rillobymorning  
  • getourcountryback
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:59am

    Of course Obama doesn’t care, he is a pathetic excuse for a president and an even worse excuse for a christian.

    Report this comment

    getourcountryback  
    • mohavegreen
      Posted on October 24, 2012 at 11:23am

      BO’s a empty suit at a mosque. This is not the first time BO used Israel for a political tool, read his entry at Yad Vashem in 08, it’s published at Foreign Policy blog.

      Report this comment

      mohavegreen  
  • spfoam1
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:48am

    Obama is full of hot air. If you think he has substance and you trust him, I’d say it is the same substance you’ll encounter by trusting farts.

    Report this comment

    spfoam1  
  • Gold
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:44am

    It was apparent by Obama’s reply during the final debate to his trip to Sderot was as a CANDIDATE because he was courting the Jewish vote here in the U.S. Governor Romney’s point was that ONCE ELECTED, and until this day, Obama has been at best an adversary to Israel and U.S.-Israeli relations.

    Report this comment

    Gold  
  • gyro
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:36am

    lies are best spoken quiely

    Report this comment

    gyro  
  • PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:30am

    http://www.shechem.org/eindex.html Read the “Prayer of the Jewish Soldier” It is so beautiful..They want Peace and pray that in self-defense they never hurt a child. They pray that the enemies minds will be turned from hate….Soliders of God…Pray for Israel.

    Report this comment

    PIGSWILLNEVERFLY  
  • watashbuddyfriend
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:22am

    OK, Sderot residents, and other cities in Israel, why not communicate with your Brethern in the State of Florida, USA, and elswhere in these United States, and ask them what is it going to take to awaken them, as they vote Absentee, and on November 06, 2012!

    Report this comment

    watashbuddyfriend  
  • RaydocX
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:18am

    He visited AS A CANDIDATE… his ability to use that visit for political cachet should have ended WITH HIS ELECTION… he HAS NOT BEEN BACK. He has been chummy with the Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic radicals, but cannot be troubled to have a sit down with Israeli leadership.

    Any self respecting journalist– left or right of the aisle– should be asking why our PRESIDENT has to refer to a candidate trip (again… and again… and again) as his perspective for why Israel needs to be supported and protected.

    If he hugged the same baby at every rally or spoke of the same woman who was grateful for his help at every campaign stop he would be panned… this is not different.

    Get out to VOTE… and tell your pinko friends to remember it’s 7 November

    Report this comment

    RaydocX  
  • loveoursoldiers
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:14am

    He’s a snake charmer. he is on the edge as his face from Monday shows. He is a nasty man determined as a good Muslim.to take down Big and Little Satans. And if he needs to lie to get it done.. that’s what he’ll do.
    He said he went to the holocost museum to remind himself of what happened there. When he said that my stomach reacted. As if anyone has to remind themself? When weird things come out of his mouth I take note because I think that is a glimpse into who he is.. or.. who he is not.
    Like when we were told he went to bed the night the ambassador died. RED flag went up. like when somehow it was leaked ( on purpose) that he had skipped briefings 2 weeks before 911. RED flag.
    They set up the scenario to the public.. IOW.. they are programming the public on how to look at /think about future developments.
    He knew what was happening/going to happen and he needed to distance himself so he could deny any involvement/knowledge.

    What I do not understand is how he gets good people.. like Petreus to be quiet. Surely Petreus MUST know Obama is lying. Is he so determined to keep his oath to obey the CIF? even if the CIC tells him to do something he knows is wrong?
    Something is keeping these otherwise smart, patriotic people from telling what they know.
    Similarly.. I see the set-up to the election. Little things are being said.. like.. whatever happens Michelle and I will be fine… he is lying with abandon.. why? red flags
    I believe he knows the outcome of the elect

    Report this comment

    loveoursoldiers  
  • PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:11am

    http://www.yearsofawe.blogspot.com “The Dog has returned to it’s Vomit”

    Report this comment

    PIGSWILLNEVERFLY  
    • RockyMountainPATRIOT
      Posted on October 28, 2012 at 12:16am

      …and the Sow returns to her Mire,
      And the burnt Fool’s bandaged finger goes wabbling back to the Fire;

      And that after this is accomplished, and the brave new world begins
      When all men are paid for existing, and no man must pay for his sins,
      As surely as Water will wet us, as surely as Fire will burn,
      The Gods of the Copybook Headings with terror and slaughter return!

      Report this comment

      RockyMountainPATRIOT  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:06am

    “He knows how to persuade people while looking them in the eye, but it’s all a sham.” Yes my friend, your eyes are wide open. Too bad more Americans aren’t as wide awake. Will it take missiles landing here to do it?

    Report this comment

    Gonzo  
  • PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:05am

    I found this great video of a song done to the tune of “Sweet Home Alabama” It’s good:
    http://www.news-for-jews.blogspot.com “Sweet Home Sweet Jerusalem”

    Report this comment

    PIGSWILLNEVERFLY  
  • mcsledge
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:02am

    Obama has no soul. He sold it. He is as hollow as they come and his promises are the same.

    Report this comment

    mcsledge  
  • sizzlinsexybeckster
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:02am

    Obama needs to be impeached for being a crook and a sadistic murderer of our troops and watching people in Libya die while doing nothing but munching on cheesy popcorn, and letting people lose their limbs… he is a crook, everyone not telling us the truth is a crook, we need a clean sweep in the white house and I’m tired of people not caring enough to do their job. Obama is a Hitler-wannabe and a Mao-wannabe and why the hell is he still in there if we know this???????

    Report this comment

    sizzlinsexybeckster  
  • qzz
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:00am

    I’m surprised this article doesn’t mention that over 70 rockets have fallen in southern Israel since Obama made that statement. You can always tell when Israel is under attack because CNN will have a headline: “Israeli airstrikes kill 3 in Gaza”

    Report this comment

    qzz  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 9:59am

    Muslims hate Jews and hate Israel………and Obama is a Muslim…….PERIOD.

    Report this comment

    Detroit paperboy  
  • Individualism
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 9:59am

    the president of the united states job is to serve the united states not israel, elect a prime minister or other people to do a good job for your own country, Obama sucks but its good hes not pandering to much to this country, Iraq wasn’t worth it and Iran won’t be either.

    Report this comment

    Individualism  
    • Jarhead 88
      Posted on October 24, 2012 at 10:31am

      Too bad you’re an idiot and don’t understand the word “ally”. You’re just a plain old knucklehead.

      Report this comment

      Jarhead 88  
    • Stelex
      Posted on October 24, 2012 at 11:54am

      Our current presidents job is to serve the muslim brotherhood. He’s very good at his job.

      Report this comment

      Stelex  
    • tzion
      Posted on October 24, 2012 at 12:38pm

      Do you even have friends? You clearly don’t understand the value of community and cooperation. I don’t see how someone like you could even hold a job and yet you seem to think that people will actually follow or at least listen to you in some future revolution that your planning. You practically admitted that you want Obama to win because you want to collapse America so you can rebuild it in your own image. That’s the real reason you’re pushing for Johnson and trying to convince people (and possibly yourself) that the election has already been decided.

      Report this comment

      tzion  
  • lynnissmart
    Posted on October 24, 2012 at 9:57am

    We stand by Israel……and we know that this pos has stuck his finger in the eye of not only the Israeli people….but of every true American! We are not fooled……God Bless the United States of America and Israel!

    Report this comment

    lynnissmart  

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