Soft Power

The appointment of Rahm Emmanuel typified as a conservative Jew has engendered feelings of chagrin and misgivings. Suspicion is rife when high expectations do not quite jibe with one’s picture perfect epitome. Foremost on some people’s minds would be whether Emmanuel would forge a pro-Israel policy, basically a continuation of Washington’s unquestioned support for Israel, which is largely influenced by Aipac and other Zionist lobbyists.

Contrary to points raised by critics, the incoming Obama Administration would be poised to forge a moderate foreign policy and gain the trust of archrival Arabs and Israel to bring about peace in the Middle East conflict.

Rahm has been known for his persistence in getting many bills on domestic issues passed. With no inkling of his views on foreign policy and Israel, one could only presume but it would not be fair to prejudge him. That Rahm Emmanuel is a conservative Jew does not mean that he would necessarily act at the behest of the Zionists and deviate from the tenor of the Administration. Obama would seek the advice of other Secretaries and presidential aides and could certainly hold his own. Moreover, many American Jews can qualify as Zionists or extremists, and hope for a peaceful settlement to decades of conflict in the Middle East.

Critics cited Rahm Emmanuel’s father’s comment that his son’s appointment would be “good for Israel”. It is one of those motherhood statements which does not automatically translate into Rahm being pro-Israel. Rahm is known to hold independent views and not easily swayed. How many children are clones who think like their parents? It would be a non-starter to stereotype; equivalent to asserting that an American would fight for America’s interest or that an African America would be pro-Africa.

Obama presidency is likely to navigate an independent course and would try win the trust of both camps instead of appeasing one and snubbing other. Obama’s detractors have accused him of being a friend of Rashid Khalidi, the official spokesman for the Palestinian Liberation Organization and branded him a terrorist by association. Then the appointment of Rahm has made Obama pro-Jew and pro-Israel.

Sceptics are often obsessed with prejudices that are anachronistic. Irgun (National Military Organization in the Land of Israel) which Rahm’s father was allegedly a member operated as a militant Zionist group between 1931 and 194. Similarly, the PLO is no longer considered a terrorist organizations form part of legitimate governments now.

Rahm would serve the incoming Administration well. He would instill confidence and silence those who are worried of giving away too much concessions to the Arabs in a peace agreement on the Middle East. At the same time, having a Jew would gain the trust of Israelis of America’s good offices in mediating a settlement. This is the sort of change envisaged : to project American soft power internationally.

By: Acosican Grant