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Ronn Torossian

Vote Obama to support BDS

Any American Jew who supports the president is essentially telling the people of the democratic state of Israel: 'Yes, you are a banana republic'

Could one imagine if President Obama was trying to court gay voters, and his campaign boasted of the endorsement of someone who supported gay bashing?

Amazingly, this week, the Obama campaign boasted that Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, a Renewal rabbi from California, is part of Rabbis for Obama, which was launched Tuesday. She is a member of the advisory board of Jewish Voice for Peace, a group that is active in the campaign to use boycott, divestment and sanctions to pressure Israel into ending the occupation of the West Bank. She visited Iran – a country devoted to destroying Israel – and dialogued with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at a New York hotel. Is this worse than a homosexual who supports gay bashing? And the campaign is proud of a rabbi who supports boycotting the Jewish state. Seems any politician who cared about the Jewish vote would run from such a person.

(Arie Katz/The Times of Israel)
(Arie Katz/The Times of Israel)

But Obama is consistent on his Israel viewpoints – and he says so regularly. The Jewish community simply has to realize what his viewpoints are and decide from there. Only three months ago, Obama, in a meeting with Orthodox leaders, reportedly described Israel’s elected government as “extreme right.” This statement, which was largely ignored by the media, doesn’t acknowledge that Netanyahu’s electoral share will exceed Obama or Romney’s likely victory numbers. The democratic, capitalist party of Netanyahu, representing proud Zionism, is extreme for Obama.

Obama has reportedly told extremist Peter Beinart to “hang in there,” and in May, the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago — where Barack Obama worshipped for two decades, and where he and his children were baptized — called for a boycott of Israel.

In 2008, Obama said:

I think there is a strain within the pro-Israel community that says unless you adopt an unwavering pro-Likud approach to Israel that you’re anti-Israel, and that can’t be the measure of our friendship with Israel.

The use of the term “pro-Likud” is confusing and very unclear. Every single Israeli government has supported settlements, a peace process, strength against Iran and strength on national security. In fact, even when Kadima recently left the coalition they did so for domestic purposes.

More than 30 years ago, then-prime minister Begin responded to American threats by asking: “Are we a vassal state of yours? Are we a banana republic?” Any American Jew who votes for Obama is essentially telling the people of the democratic state of Israel: “Yes, you are a banana republic.  Your independence and democracy is less important than Obama.”

As the owner of a PR firm, I know that sometimes politicians “spin,” but on this issue Obama is clear — and unabashedly transparent. Any Jew who votes Obama should know they are supporting BDS and weakening Israel.

About the Author
Ronn Torossian is the Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer of 5WPR. Headquartered in New York City, the firm is one of the 25 largest independent public relations firms in the United States. 5WPR has been named “PR Agency of the Year” by the American Business Awards; and Ronn Torossian is the winner of the Silver Stevie Communications, Investor Relations, and PR Executive of the Year of the Year Award by the American Business Awards. Ronn’s book, “For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results with Game-Changing Public Relations,” received rave reviews. He is a member of the prestigious Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and is an active board member of a number of non-profit organizations. Ronn Torossian is a frequently sought after communications expert, often appearing on FOX News, CNBC, Huffington Post, Time Magazine, and other major media outlets. He resides on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his family. Email: rtorossian@5wpr.com Facebook: Ronn's Facebook Twitter: Ronn's Twitter Page