Rahm Emanuel, Obama, Israel and family

Could turnout interesting with Middle East Problems-

Obama with Musllim roots
and
Emanuel Israel roots-

Someone told me that Rahm Emanuel's last name used to be Auerbach. I was wondering if it a long last relative. Please advise of his background of "Auerbach". Thank you

What the heck does he mean by 'what is he, and arab'? Is that meant to be some kind of unnecessary derogatory stab at arabs?

-Wonder how long the two egos will stay JELLED-

"When it comes to Israel's security and America's partnership with Israel, President-elect Obama doesn't need Rahm Emanuel. President-elect Obama's commitment to Israel is steadfast and unwavering."
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Rahm Emanuel is a great PR guy who will no doubt do great PR things for the great President-Elect Obama. Have watched his work over the last year with the Sunday morning politicos. Like me, he's a lubrication kind of guy.

"Steadfast and unwavering" - very key words that we really do NOT know what the meaning is, at this time. The democrats will explain later, I'm sure. The Israelis may want to spend some time in prayerful reflection on their historical relationship with the rest of the non-Jewish world. To Contingency Plans B, C, and D, they may well be advised to put Plan E, F, and G, and ..., on a fast-track. America is all about "change". I wish them well.

As a Muslim, I had an awkward moment when I was planning my law school's Obama victory party yesterday at the same time that this quote made its way to the media. I know it wasn't made by the soon-to-be Chief of Staff or by President-elect Obama but I hope both of them do publicly repudiate the statement. I think its level of hostility toward Arabs (and in current culture, extended to Muslims) and the general marginalization of Muslims and Arabs throughout the presidential election season warrants a swift and thoughtful response. Only then, can I personally scale back some of the disappointment I am feeling (far too early) in the future promise of an Obama administration. After spending months tirelessly campaigning for Obama and after only a few days of the pure elation felt after his victory, this one is a little tough to take.

Joe,
I think it should be remembered that Rahm's father, Benjamin, is from an older generation. I would liken him to my mother, a caucasian who grew up in Chicago in the 30's. I have heard her make disparaging remarks about blacks, but she enthusiastically voted for Obama this year. True change in attitudes about race come slowly, from generation to generation.

I'm with Seema. This is shameful--what Israel's Likkud Party has done since the 1980s needs to be repudicated. And they do it with our money.

You'd be hard pressed to find anyone less like Barack Obama than RE. Or less like Daschle or the other no-drama people in his campaign.
Maybe Obama has in mind to use him to enforce a peace plan Obama has in mind upon Israel.

It would be really disapointing to the entire world if president-elect Obama is influenced by the pro-Isreali people and lobbyists to become unfairly bias in favor of Isreal and take stance unfavorably against Palestinians. After all, Mr. Obama campaigned on the platform of bringing changes to American domestic and international policies in a wide range of issues and he has promised to work diligently to avoid wars and provide an environment for making peace. The double standard stance of America until now on the conflict between Palestinians and Isreal has not brought any peace to the middle east. Instead Isreal with support of America has expanded its territory to the Palestinians lands without any regards for human rights and international laws. Isreal has continually treated Palestinians inhumanely and has humiliated them forcefully and has disregarded all the demands of the international organizations and the accords she has signed for peace.

Rahm Emanuel's father's remarks are not just prejudice remarks of an old man. This man was a member of Irgun, the original terrorist group. He is very anti-Arab. This is really a shame for the new administration.

Honestly, does it really matter? At the end, its about economics. Its about our tax money going to Israel in the form of aid, and right back to Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, Bell Helicoptor, and all the other defense contractors in the U.S. that get that money RIGHT back. I don't think it really matters if Rahm Emanuelin is his cheif of staff, or if he chose a conservative Muslim Palestinian as his chief of staff. That process was not going to end in this presidency, we all know that.

Lets keep things simple shall we. There's about 4 billion in natural gas that everyone wants their hands right off the Gaza coast line. Israel does about 2 billion in damage, that will now be repaired by American contractors and be paid for by "deals" made for the "Palestinian people" for that natural gas, as the fine print details of a Peace Plan that will be orchestrated by Emanuel, just as he had orchestrated Camp David.