Reform rabbinate backs Obama on settlements

I have one particular friend here who asks me for a comment everytime someone forwards her an anti-Obama screed from a rightwing website, particularly if it has anything to do with Israel. Actually, we've been having this conversation since the campaign, with all the vilification that was therein. That's why I was happy to be able to refer her to this (h/t JTA):

The Central Conference of American Rabbis, which represents nearly 2,000 Reform rabbis, said it believes the president's call for a stop to all Israeli settlement activity and his "outspokenness" on the issue is "in the best interest of the United States, of the State of Israel, and of peace."

The statement goes on to express concern about Iran's nuclear ambitions and the continuing terrorist threat to Israel, which is only proper.

The idea that Obama is selling Israel out, that he doesn't care about the Iranian threat, or that he equated the Holocaust with Israel's actions in the territories, are all red herrings promulgated for partisan political reasons, or worse. It's always worth pointing out that American Jews supported Obama 78-21 percent in last year's elections, despite the long-term, concerted efforts to scare the Jews about him. I think Jews by and large trust him and want what he's doing to succeed.